[Harp-L] harmonica in bluegrass

[Trip Henderson <trip.tunes@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Glenn!

John Herald from the Greenbriar Boys who was a longtime friend of Bill
Monroe's and my boss for over 10 years shared many an anecdote from
Bill's story telling while out on tour. Bill told him of the times when the
Grand Ole Opry toured its legendary roadshows that he'd have DeFord Bailey
up to play with the band on occasion. Of course that being the Jim Crow
south those moments were never captured on acetate but there's plenty of
evidence that they toured and played together. Bill even covered
DeFord's *Evening
Prayer Blues*, in my opinion one of the most haunting harmonica pieces ever
recorded, its more a meditation in 1st position than a blues.

Then there's George Pegram & Walter Parham who worked as a duet in the 50's
and 60's, though not strictly bluegrass, the banjo employed rolls
as developed and refined by Earl Scruggs, an original Bluegrass Boy.

Trip Henderson
https://soundcloud.com/trip-henderson/sets/the-chittlin-cookers
https://soundcloud.com/trip-henderson/sets/whistling-wolves-peaches-in


From: Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] History of Bluegrass Harmonica

Depends on whether you include old-timey harmonica.

For something close to bluegrass while being past old-timey, check out
Jimmy Riddle with Roy Acuff in the 1940s.

Dave Payne and Cara Cooke may have something to say on this subject.

Winslow

________________________________
 From: Glenn Weiser <banjoandguitar100@xxxxxxxxx>

Subject: [Harp-L] History of Bluegrass Harmonica

Calling all harmonica scholars-

As far as I know, the first recorded instance of the harmonica in bluegrass
music is Charlie McCoy with Flatt and Scruggs in 1962. Is anyone aware of
any earlier examples? I have been in touch with the senior historian at the
Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and we are trying to piece this
together. I will eventually do a Sing Out! column on this topic.

Glenn Weiser

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