Personalities | Carson Robison | Early Years of Hillbilly | Country

(Vocals, guitar, 1890–1957)

Initially a New York session guitarist (with a talent on the side for whistling), Kansas-born Robison became the regular accompanist and vocal duet partner of Vernon Dalhart on hundreds of recordings in the 1920s. He also learned the skill of songwriting for the hillbilly market, specializing in topical subjects like bank raids and train crashes, but extending to local-colour compositions such as ‘When It’s Springtime In The Rockies’ and ‘Sleepy Rio Grande’, many of which he recorded in duet with the singer Frank Luther (1899–1980). During the 1930s Robison And His Pioneers were popular in Europe, recording for many English labels and broadcasting on Radio Luxembourg. In later years this supremely versatile man recorded square-dance albums and rockabilly before finding a last hit with the slow-talking, rocking-on-the-porch narration ‘Life Gets Tee-Jus, Don’t It?’.

Styles & Forms | Early Years of Hillbilly | Country
Personalities | Jimmie Rodgers | Early Years of Hillbilly | Country

Source: The Definitive Illustrated Encyclopedia of Country Music, consultant editor Bob Allen

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