Reviews

In 1973, while writing a feature story for a newsletter for residents of public housing in Nashville, Morton realized that his subject, an elderly black man, was the legendary ``harmonica wizard'' of the early days of Grand Ole Opry. During the next decade Morton, now executive director of the Reno (Nev.) Housing Authority, tape-recorded conversations with Bailey, collected letters and documents, and, assisted by Wolfe, a country music historian at Middle Tennessee State University, wrote this biography of the reclusive musician who had virtually disappeared from public view for 40 years. Quoting Bailey's colorful speech wherever possible, the authors chronicle his career and tell the story of Grand Ole Opry and the people who promoted it in the 1920s and '30s. They also set the record straight on how Bailey, who died in 1982 at the age of 83, was, through no fault of his own, fired from the show in 1941. Photos not seen by PW. (Nov.)

Bailey is largely forgotten today, a victim of the recording industry's emphasis on the blues during the 1920s--a decision which segregated forever ``black'' folk music from ``white'' folk music. Bailey was from an African American mountain culture that shared much of its musical heritage with its Anglo-Saxon neighbors, producing a unique hybrid which Bailey called ``black hillbilly.'' A virtuoso on the harmonica, guitar, and banjo, Bailey became one of the Grand Old Opry's earliest stars during the 1920s, only to be fired from the Opry in 1941 during one of the Opry's more repressive eras. Bailey's story is told mainly in his own words through interviews conducted by his longtime friend Morton, with Wolfe (English and folklore, Middle Tennessee State Univ.) providing cultural and historical background. The authors' stated goal was to write a book of universal appeal, and indeed the work is a fascinating cultural history. Unfortunately, Bailey's obscurity will probably limit the book to folk music enthusiasts. Nevertheless, it is highly recommended.-- James Stephenson, Soc. of the Cincinnati Lib., Washington, D.C.