UNCLE DAVE MACON
Uncle Dave Macon (born in 1870 in McMinville, Tennessee)
was one of the first stars of the Grand Ole Opry radio show.
He was a legendary performer; shouting, laughing, telling jokes,
tossing and twirling his banjo around was all part of his entertaining repertoire.
Macon's family ran a hotel which was often inhabited by minstrel and
vaudville musicians. He picked up some tricks through growing up
in that environment and obviously from local black musicians and field hands
in the area as well. His style often sounded so "black" that his promoters were concerned
in the beginning that whites wouldn't buy his records.
At the age of 50 Macon decided to leave his horse and wagon business and devote
the rest of his life
to performing and recording music.
He made hundreds of recordings from 1924 to
1938, both solo with booming voice and banjo, as well as accompanied
by his band the Fruit-Jar Drinkers. His banjo-playing technique was
straightforward and forceful yet at the same time somehow
intricate and creative in its playful melodies and picking patterns.
He is considered by many to be country music's first pop star.
LOGGS favorite UNCLE DAVE MACON songs:
I'm Gwine Away In The Morn, Jordan Am A Hard Road To Travel, Shout Monah (We Shall Be Free)
