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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 ZBRITT, Elton(b James Britt Baker, 7 July '17, Marshall AR; d 23 June '72) Country singer, yodeller. Discovered '32 by talent scouts looking for a country yodeller in Oklahoma; worked with Beverly Hillbillies on radio, recorded with them and solo on ARC, Decca, Variety; with Victor from '37, association lasting 20 years, 672 records, over 50 LPs. Hits with yodelling songs 'Chimebells', 'Maybe I'll Cry Over You', 'Patent Leather Boots', 'Lorelei'. Wartime 'There's A Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere' eventually sold two million, resulted in Britt becoming the first country singer invited to the White House, late '42. Duet hits with Rosalie Allen late '40s incl. 'Quicksilver' '49; solo hits 'Candy Kisses' '49, 'Mockingbird Hill' '50. Made 'B'-films (e.g. Laramie '49); many TV spots '50s--60s. Stopped touring late '50s, settled as gentleman farmer near Washington DC; joined ABC-Paramount records mid-'60s and made albums; rejoined RCA '68 for The Jimmie Rodgers Blues: chart entries with title cut and 'The Bitter Taste' '69. Nothing listed in Schwann '95. |