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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDALHART, Vernon(b Marion T. Slaughter, 6 April 1883, Jefferson TX; d 14 Sep. '48, Bridgeport CT) Pioneer country singer. Began singing opera and in vaudeville, recorded with the California Ramblers; struck gold with country music: 'The Wreck Of The Old 97'/'The Prisoner's Song' early '25 was the first country record to sell in the millions, on Victor; he also recorded it for 13 other labels. Continued having hits with mostly story songs, 'Kitty Wells', 'Molly Darling', 'Death Of Floyd Collins', 'New River Train' etc under various names: Frank Evans, Bill Vernon, Guy Massey, Al Craver, Mack Allen etc on 30 labels. He outsold everybody else in his heyday, total estimated 75,000,000 records, but left little trace. His career ended during the Depression, while even then people were buying Jimmie Rodgers. Spent later years working as hotel clerk; elected to Country Music Hall of Fame '81. |