Morton, David, 1945-

Dates:

Birth 1945

Biographical notes:

In 1991, David C. Morton published "DeFord Bailey: A Black Star in Early Country Music." Bailey (1899-1982) was a legendary African American harmonica player who performed on WSM's Grand Ole Opry, a weekly radio show broadcast from Nashville, Tenn. Bailey began his career soon after Nashville's WDAD radio station came on the air in 1925. He continued to play until 1941, becoming well known for his tune, "Pan American Blues."

From the description of David Morton collection, 1928-2003. WorldCat record id: 54688610

In 1991, along with Charles K. Wolfe, David C. Morton (1945- ) published a book entitled DeFord Bailey: A Black Star in Early Country Music (University of Tennessee Press). DeFord Bailey (1899-1982) was a legendary African American harmonica player, who performed on WSM's Grand Ole Opry, a weekly radio show broadcast from Nashville, Tenn. Bailey began his career soon after WDAD came on the air in 1925. He continued to play on the radio show until 1941, becoming well known for his tune, Pan American Blues. Bailey traveled extensively, entertaining audiences along with Roy Acuff and other members of the Grand Ole Opry throughout the South and the Midwest during what was a dangerous and difficult period for African Americans to receive basic services in hotels and restaurants.

In 1973, David Morton was employed by the Metropolitan Housing and Development Agency in Nashville, Tenn. Morton set out to write a story for the public housing newsletter about DeFord Bailey's musical accomplishments. Bailey was then a resident of Nashville's public housing. Morton was warned that Bailey would be unwilling to be interviewed. He eventually found Bailey, developed a friendship with him, and spent many hours recording Bailey's stories and songs. In 1974, soon after the interviews began, Morton wrote an article for Nashville! magazine about the legendary country music player, entitled Every Day's Been Sunday. Later, with the urging of DeFord Bailey and the help of Charles K. Wolfe, a biography was written.

A historical marker in honor of DeFord Bailey's contributions to the musical community was erected in Nashville's Edgeville neighborhood where Bailey lived and maintained a shoeshine shop after his career with the Grand Ole Opry ended in the early-1940s. His cemetery grave marker, also located near Nashville, reads, Harmonica Wizard.

From the guide to the David Morton Collection, 1928-2003, (Southern Folklife Collection)