John & Emery McClung
Encyclopedia
John & Emery McClung were musicians who recorded old-time music
during the 1920s. They also recorded as The West Virginia Snake Hunters and The McClung Brothers. John Edward McClung was born on August 1, 1906 in Mount Hope, West Virginia
and died on February 15, 1991. Emery Samuel McClung was born on January 3, 1910 in Beckley, West Virginia
and he died on March 9, 1970.
. Their father Walker was a jeweler but he was also a music teacher and a choir
leader of the church they attended in Sprague, West Virginia. Many of Walker's fourteen children learned to play instruments or sing from him.
The failing health of their father led John and Emery to start making music on Beckley street corners to help raise grocery money. In the early 1920s, they formed a string band called The West Virginia Trail Blazers, which included George Ward and John Lanchester, both from Beckley, West Virginia. They took their shows all around the mountains in a big Studebaker
, even going to California
on one occasion. This band was kept together until about 1934.
In 1927, John and Emery recorded eight songs for Brunswick Records
. John played the fiddle
and Emery played guitar
. The whistling on the songs "Standin' In The Need Of Prayer," "Birdie," and "The Fun Is All Over" were provided by future Country Music Hall of Fame member Carson Robison
. They also called themselves The West Virginia Snake Hunters during this time, and started working with carnival musician Cleve Chaffin
, who was from Wayne County, West Virginia
. Chaffin and the McClung Brothers recorded six songs for Paramount Records
in 1929. Chaffin had also recorded with another old-time music
band, Fruit Jar Guzzlers
. After the session for Paramount, Chaffin and the McClung Brothers never recorded again. Later on, the McClung Brothers had a gospel
quartet on the radio station WJLS in Beckley. John won an old-time fiddlers' contest in Beckley in August 1950, and Emery won second place. John lived his retired life in Alexandria, Virginia.
One of the most popular McClung Brothers' songs was "The West Virginia Hills," which was a parody of the West Virginia state anthem about West Virginia moonshine. The McClungs never recorded it but their friend Roy Harvey (also from Beckley, West Virginia
) recorded it as a duet with Earl Shirkey on Columbia Records
in 1929. Roy Harvey's version can be found on two CD's "Roy Harvey: Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 3" (Document #8052) and "Roy Harvey: Early String Band Favorites" (Old Homestead #4017), both released in 1999.
Old-time music
Old-time music is a genre of North American folk music, with roots in the folk music of many countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland and countries in Africa. It developed along with various North American folk dances, such as square dance, buck dance, and clogging. The genre also...
during the 1920s. They also recorded as The West Virginia Snake Hunters and The McClung Brothers. John Edward McClung was born on August 1, 1906 in Mount Hope, West Virginia
Mount Hope, West Virginia
Mount Hope is a city in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,487 at the 2000 census.-History:The Mount Hope Historic District and New River Company General Office Building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
and died on February 15, 1991. Emery Samuel McClung was born on January 3, 1910 in Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley is a city in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States, which was founded on April 4, 1838. The 2008 population was estimated to be 16,832 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Early in its history, the town was known as Beckleyville and Raleigh Court House...
and he died on March 9, 1970.
Biography
John and Emery were sons of Caroline Elizabeth Cheetham and Park Walker McClung who were from Raleigh County, West VirginiaRaleigh County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 79,220 people, 31,793 households, and 22,096 families residing in the county. The population density was 130 people per square mile . There were 35,678 housing units at an average density of 59 per square mile...
. Their father Walker was a jeweler but he was also a music teacher and a choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
leader of the church they attended in Sprague, West Virginia. Many of Walker's fourteen children learned to play instruments or sing from him.
The failing health of their father led John and Emery to start making music on Beckley street corners to help raise grocery money. In the early 1920s, they formed a string band called The West Virginia Trail Blazers, which included George Ward and John Lanchester, both from Beckley, West Virginia. They took their shows all around the mountains in a big Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
, even going to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on one occasion. This band was kept together until about 1934.
In 1927, John and Emery recorded eight songs for Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records is a United States based record label. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment.-From 1916:Records under the "Brunswick" label were first produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company...
. John played the fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
and Emery played guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. The whistling on the songs "Standin' In The Need Of Prayer," "Birdie," and "The Fun Is All Over" were provided by future Country Music Hall of Fame member Carson Robison
Carson Robison
Carson Jay Robison was an American country music singer and songwriter. Although his impact is generally forgotten today, he played a major role in promoting country music in its early years through numerous recordings and radio appearances. He was also known as Charles Robison and sometimes...
. They also called themselves The West Virginia Snake Hunters during this time, and started working with carnival musician Cleve Chaffin
Cleve Chaffin
Cleve Chafin was a carnival musician who recorded old-time music during the 1920s.-Biography:Chafin was from Wayne County, West Virginia, the son of Alice Adkins and Bob Chafin. He first recorded a solo session in Richmond, Indiana for Gennett Records on November 16, 1927, but the recordings were...
, who was from Wayne County, West Virginia
Wayne County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 42,903 people, 17,239 households, and 12,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 19,107 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
. Chaffin and the McClung Brothers recorded six songs for Paramount Records
Paramount Records
Paramount Records was an American record label, best known for its recordings of African-American jazz and blues in the 1920s and early 1930s, including such artists as Ma Rainey and Blind Lemon Jefferson.-Early years:...
in 1929. Chaffin had also recorded with another old-time music
Old-time music
Old-time music is a genre of North American folk music, with roots in the folk music of many countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland and countries in Africa. It developed along with various North American folk dances, such as square dance, buck dance, and clogging. The genre also...
band, Fruit Jar Guzzlers
Fruit Jar Guzzlers
-Biography:Fruit Jar Guzzlers is one of the most mysterious old-time groups to ever record. In 1928, another old-time musician Cleve Chaffin from Wayne County, West Virginia had supposedly recorded a session with two men named Stevens and Bolar for Paramount Records as Fruit Jar Guzzlers. The...
. After the session for Paramount, Chaffin and the McClung Brothers never recorded again. Later on, the McClung Brothers had a gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
quartet on the radio station WJLS in Beckley. John won an old-time fiddlers' contest in Beckley in August 1950, and Emery won second place. John lived his retired life in Alexandria, Virginia.
One of the most popular McClung Brothers' songs was "The West Virginia Hills," which was a parody of the West Virginia state anthem about West Virginia moonshine. The McClungs never recorded it but their friend Roy Harvey (also from Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley is a city in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States, which was founded on April 4, 1838. The 2008 population was estimated to be 16,832 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Early in its history, the town was known as Beckleyville and Raleigh Court House...
) recorded it as a duet with Earl Shirkey on Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1929. Roy Harvey's version can be found on two CD's "Roy Harvey: Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order Volume 3" (Document #8052) and "Roy Harvey: Early String Band Favorites" (Old Homestead #4017), both released in 1999.
The West Virginia Snake Hunters
- Standin’ In The Need Of Prayer/Walk In The Streets Of Glory (Brunswick #119) (3/1927)
John & Emery McClung
- Birdie/The Fun Is All Over (Brunswick #134) (3/1927) (released 5/1927)
- Chicken/Liza Jane (Brunswick #135) (3/1927)
- It’s A Long Way To Tipperary/When You Wore A Tulip (Brunswick #136) (3/1927)
Cleve Chaffin & The McClung Brothers
- Babylon Is Falling Down/I Got A Home In The Beulah Land (Paramount #3160) (3/1929)
- Trail Blazer's Favorites/Alabama Jubilee (Paramount #3161) (3/1929)
- Rock House Gamblers/Curtains Of Night (Paramount #3170) (3/1929)
Various artists compilations
- My Rough And Rowdy Ways Volume One (Yazoo #2039) (1998)
- Old Time Music Of West Virginia Volume One (County #CD-3518) (1999)
- Old Time Music Of West Virginia Volume Two (County #CD-3519) (1999)
- The Half Ain’t Never Been Told Volume Two (Yazoo #2050) (1999)
- Old Country Gospel (Vintage78 #C-11) (cassette)
- Country Music Classic (Vintage78 #C-53) (cassette)
- Paramount Old Time Recordings (JSP) (3-CD set) (2006)