DeFord Bailey - Kansas City Blues (1947)
In this very rare 1947 recording, DeFord Bailey makes an unscheduled guest appearance on Roy Acuff's Weather House Grand Ole Opry segment, singing "Kansas City Blues". This is the earliest known recording of DeFord playing guitar and singing, something he was known to do during his tenure as a Grand Ole Opry member (which ended in 1941), in addition to his more famous harmonica playing. After being one of the Opry's most popular stars for 15 years, DeFord would make very few appearances on the Opry during the last 40 years of his life, and this is one of only a handful of live recordings that survive of him in his prime.
About DeFord Bailey
DeFord Bailey was an American old-time musician and songwriter considered to be the first African American country music star. He started his career in the 1920s and was one of the first performers to be introduced on Nashville radio station WSM's Grand Ole Opry, and becoming, alongside Uncle Dave Macon, one of the program's most famous performers. He was the first African-American performer to appear on the show, and the first performer to record his music in Nashville. Bailey played several in...
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