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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 ZSTONEMAN FAMILYThe longest continuously performing family act in country music, the Stonemans revolved around Ernest V. 'Pop' Stoneman (b 25 May 1893, Monarat, Carroll Co. VA; d 14 June '68, Nashville), who played banjo, autoharp, harmonica and jaw harp in his teens, then gained an audition with Ralph Peer at OKeh Records: his 'The Titanic' was a national no. 3 hit in '25, according to Pop Memories. He made over 200 titles with OKeh, Paramount, Gennett and Victor, recorded with Riley Puckett and Uncle Dave Macon; went back to work as a carpenter (in a naval gun factory in Washington DC) during the Depression. In the late '40s he formed a family band, playing in the DC area; they recorded The Stoneman Family '57 on Folkways, became popular on college and folk club circuits, appeared on Grand Ole Opry '62 and began recording for Starday. They guested on Jimmy Dean's TV show '64, signed with MGM and landed their own TV series Those Stonemans '66; had several minor country hits, made top 20 with 'Five Little Johnson Girls' '66, won CMA award for Best Vocal Group '67. The band consisted of Pop on guitar and autoharp, Scotty on fiddle, Jim on bass, Van on guitar, Donna on mandolin and Roni on banjo. After Pop's death they carried on, updating their material and stage act, recorded for RCA. Patsy joined; Scotty dropped out early '70s, by then an in-demand session musician; Roni, a naturally funny lady, became a regular on TV's Hee-Haw, and twins Gene and Dean gigged as the Stoneman Brothers. The Stonemans were still working as a unit mid-'80s and the whole family sometimes got together for special shows. Albums incl. White Lightning '63 on Starday; Those Singin', Swingin', Stompin', Sensational Stonemans '66, It's All In The Family '67 and Tribute To Pop Stoneman '68 on MGM; Dawn Of The Stoneman's Age '69 and In All Honesty '70 on RCA; Country Hospitality '78 on Meteor, Scotty Stoneman Live In L.A. With The Kentucky Colonels '79 on Sierra Briar, The First Family Of Country Music '82 on CMH. Ivan M. Tribe published The Stonemans: An Appalachian Family And The Music That Shaped Their Lives '93. |