Rufus "Tee Tot" Payne (4 February 1883 – 17 March 1939) was an early 20th-century African-American blues musician from Greenville, Alabama who was more widely known by his nickname Tee Tot. Payne's nickname of "Tee Tot" is a pun for "teetotaler". It is said that Payne received his nickname because he usually carried a homemade mixture of alcohol and tea wherever he went. … [Read more...] about Friday Open Thread: The Blackness of Country Music
History
Thursday Open Thread: The Blackness of Country Music
DeFord Bailey (December 14, 1899 – July 2, 1982) was an American country music and blues star from the 1920s until 1941. He was the first performer to be introduced on the Grand Ole Opry and the first African-American performer on the show. He played several instruments but is best known for his harmonica tunes. … [Read more...] about Thursday Open Thread: The Blackness of Country Music
Tuesday Open Thread: The Blackness of Country Music
Lesley "Esley" Riddle (June 13, 1905 - July 13, 1980) was an African-American musician whose influence on the Carter Family helped to shape country music. Riddle was born in Burnsville, North Carolina. He grew up with his paternal grandparents near Kingsport, Tennessee, not far from the Virginia border. … [Read more...] about Tuesday Open Thread: The Blackness of Country Music
Monday Open Thread: The Blackness of Country Music
This week the open threads will highlight six elements that illustrate country music's roots in African-American history. There is a total lack of black artists in country music today, except for Darius Rucker, Cowboy Troy, and Charley Pride. The truth is that the roots of American country run black, and the key artists that built country music couldn’t have done so … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: The Blackness of Country Music
Monday Open Thread: African-American Generals
Larry O. Spencer (born 1 August 1954) is a United States Air Force general (ret.) who served in many command, comptroller, and other leadership roles during the course of his career. Some of his leadership roles include being the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Commander of the 75th Air Base Wing at Hill AFB, Commander of the 72nd Support Group at Tinker … [Read more...] about Monday Open Thread: African-American Generals