Vernon Dalhart

Vernon Dalhart was a pioneering figure in early American popular and country music. Originally trained as an opera singer, he made a significant impact on the music scene in the 1920s by transitioning to popular and folk-style recordings, becoming one of the first stars of what would evolve into country music. He is best known for his 1924 recording of “The Wreck of the Old 97,” which became a massive hit and is often cited as the first country record to achieve widespread commercial success.

Dalhart's clear diction and ability to adapt traditional folk ballads for commercial recordings helped bridge the gap between rural and urban audiences at a time when recorded music was still a novelty. His recordings often featured stories of Americana, from tragic train wrecks to cowboy ballads, and helped lay the groundwork for the country and western genre. With hundreds of recordings under his belt—often under dozens of pseudonyms—he played a crucial role in bringing rural American music to a national audience.

Genres

Ragtime

Latest Release

Country Pioneer - a Vernon Dalhart Anthology

Vernon Dalhart

Album - 13 Tracks - Released November 5, 2021