Vernon Dalhart
b. Marion Try Slaughter, 6 April 1883, Jefferson, Texas, USA, d. 14 September 1948. Dalhart spent his early life on a ranch but in 1902, seeking a career in music, he went to New York. He took the name of Vernon Dalhart by combining the names of two Texas towns. He sang with the Century Opera Company and, in 1913-1914, he performed in HMS PINAFORE at the Hippodrome. He recorded for Edison's cylinders, his first release being Can't Yo Heah Me Callin’ Caroline?’ in 1917. Dalhart made numerous records under different names with different styles, including vaudeville. In 1924 Victor Records were about to dispense with his services when he asked if he could record hillbilly music. He chose ‘The Wreck Of The Old 97, which had first been recorded the previous year by Henry Whitter. It was backed by The Prisoner's Song, which he said was written by his cousin, Guy Massey. It became country music's first million-seller, eventually topping six million. True to character, Dalhart also recorded the song under pseudonyms for many different labels. ‘The Wreck Of The Old 97 was based on fact and so Dalhart consolidated his success with several topical songs written by, and performed with, Carson Jay Robison. They included The Death Of Floyd Collins and The John T. Scopes Trial. In 1928, following disagreements with Robison over royalties and the choice of musicians, Dalhart pursued a solo career. The cutbacks during the Depression put paid to Dalhart's vocation although, in 1931, he recorded The Runaway Train in London, which became a children's favourite. He attempted a comeback in 1939 but, despite his versatility, he could not satisfy the public. He stopped performing, although he did give singing lessons and worked as a night clerk at a hotel in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He died following a heart attack in 1948, and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961. As Dalhart used more than 50 pseudonyms, the full extent of his recorded career will never be known.