B. F. Shelton
Encyclopedia
B. F. Shelton was an American
singer and banjoist who recorded a number of songs for Victor Records at the Bristol Sessions
in Bristol, Tennessee
on July 29, 1927. Shelton traveled from Corbin, Kentucky
where he worked as a barber
to Bristol for the sessions with gospel singer and preacher Alfred Karnes. Four of the recordings survive today, "Darling Cora", "Pretty Polly
", "Oh Molly Dear" and "Cold Penitentiary Blues". He never recorded again. Shelton was born in 1902 in Clay County, Kentucky
and died in 1963.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and banjoist who recorded a number of songs for Victor Records at the Bristol Sessions
Bristol sessions
The Bristol sessions are considered the "Big Bang" of modern country music. They were held in 1927 in Bristol, Tennessee by Victor Talking Machine Company company producer Ralph Peer. They marked the commercial debuts of Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family....
in Bristol, Tennessee
Bristol, Tennessee
Bristol is a city in Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 26,702 at the 2010 census. It is the twin city of Bristol, Virginia, which lies directly across the state line between Tennessee and Virginia. The boundaries of both cities run parallel to each other along State...
on July 29, 1927. Shelton traveled from Corbin, Kentucky
Corbin, Kentucky
- Economy :Originally formed by L&N Railroad, rail transport was the backbone of the local economy in the first half of the twentieth century. While the railroad continues to play an important role, the decline of the rail industry in the latter half of the twentieth century, as well as the loss...
where he worked as a barber
Barber
A barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....
to Bristol for the sessions with gospel singer and preacher Alfred Karnes. Four of the recordings survive today, "Darling Cora", "Pretty Polly
Pretty Polly (ballad)
"Pretty Polly", "The Gosport Tragedy" or "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter" is a traditional English-language folk song found in the British Isles, Canada, and the Appalachian region of North America, among other places....
", "Oh Molly Dear" and "Cold Penitentiary Blues". He never recorded again. Shelton was born in 1902 in Clay County, Kentucky
Clay County, Kentucky
- Demographics :As of the census of 2011, there were 21,000 people, 8,556 households, and 6,442 families residing in the county. The population density was 52 people per square mile . There were 9,439 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...
and died in 1963.