Deford bailey biography sampler
DeFord Bailey (December 14, – July 2, ) was an American singer-songwriter and musician, who was considered the first African American country music.!
DeFord Bailey, a legend in the world of Country and Blues, was born in December of into a farming family in Smith County, Tennessee.
DeFord Bailey
American country musician (1899–1982)
Musical artist
DeFord Bailey[4] (December 14, 1899 – July 2, 1982)[5] was an American singer-songwriter and musician, who was considered the first African American country music and blues 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 programs most famous performers.[6] He was the first African-American performer to appear on the show, and the first performer to record his music in Nashville.[7] Bailey played several instruments in his career but is best known for playing the harmonica, often being referred to as a "harmonica wizard".
Bailey was born and raised in Tennessee, all his family played "black hillbilly" country and blues music and he learned how to play the harmonica and mandolin while recuperating from polio as a young child.&