From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Fri Jun 27, 2003  1:15 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Elton Britt

ELTON BRITT (By Kevin Carey)

Born James Elton Baker, 27 June 1913, Zack, Arkansas
Died 22 June 1972, Pennsylvania

As is often the case, various alternative dates have been given for 
the date of birth - 13th June and 7th July both being quoted. Britt's 
tombstone shows the date June 27th. Similarly, Britt's real name has
been quoted variously as 'James Elton Baker' and 'James Britt-Baker' 
in different publications. It seems likely that the former was his real
name, and he assumed his mother's maiden name for his later stage 
persona.

Britt's parents were both musically talented; his father was a champion
fiddle player while his mother was a noted singer, so it was no surprise
that their son should seek to follow the same career and by the age of 
12 Britt had already learned to play guitar and was regularly featuring
in his parents stage act.

Joining 'The Beverly Hillbillies' as lead vocalist during his teenage years,
Elton would appear in the 1933 (released) film 'The Last Dogie' although 
by the time this movie was released the band had folded and Britt took 
on more solo appearances. In later years, the members of 'The Beverly 
Hillbillies' successfully sued the popular TV programme of the same
name for copyright infringement.

Having moved to New York in 1936, Britt entered a yodelling competition
organised by "Cowboy" star Tom Mix and, against stiff competition, came
out victorious; the victory would earn him the unofficial title of The World 
Champion Yodeller. 

Following a stint recording for ARC, Britt signed for RCA-Victor in 1937,
but had to wait until 1942 before he became the first country music singer
to score a million-seller with his patriotic hit 'There's A Star-Spangled 
Banner Waving Somewhere' (a song he would later be invited to perform 
at the White House). 

Further recordings failed to match the success of 'Star Spangled Banner', 
although his 1946 recording of 'Someday (You'll Want Me To Love You)' 
peaked at number two. Personally, and not surprisingly, I prefer the 
Gene Vincent version of this track, but it seems quite likely that Gene's
version was inspired by Britt's recording. Later recordings also saw him
performing solo and duet with Rosalie Allen as 'The King and Queen of 
Yodelling'.

Britt appeared briefly in two further "cowboy" films in 1949 (Laramie and
The Prodigal Son).

Continuing to record with RCA-Victor throughout the 1950's, this period 
also saw him appearing regularly at The Grand Ol' Opry, while he also 
enjoyed popularity hosting several radio shows consecutively, but by the 
late 50's his recorded output had slowed considerably and 1960 saw a
further distraction as he unsuccessfully ran for Presidential nomination.

Britt drifted in and out of the music business throughout the 60's, recording
for RCA and later for Decca, ABC-Paramount and Ampar, but also backing
other artists and started his own music publishing business. His last solo 
hit came in 1968 with 'The Jimmie Rodgers Blues'.
Elton Britt suffered a fatal heart attack on June 22nd 1972 and while his
historical position in country music is often noted, much of his recorded
work has not been re-issued.

Recommended listening: Elton Britt - The RCA Years (Collectors Choice 31) 
Highly recommended!
Elton Britt - Riding With Elton (Soundies 4121)

I believe there is also a CD on the Cattle label, but I haven't seen the track
listing so cannot comment on it. Sadly, neither of the CD's shown above
feature Britt's 'St James Avenue' - a yodelling derivative of 'St James
Infirmary' 
which I rate as his finest recording (and for DJ's - it makes a nice
alternative 
stroller!)