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Uncle Dave Macon

David Harrison Macon (October 7, 1870 – March 22, 1952), known professionally as Uncle Dave Macon, was an American old-time banjo player, singer, songwriter, and comedian. Known as "The Dixie Dewdrop", Macon was known for his chin whiskers, plug hat, gold teeth, and gates-ajar collar, he gained regional fame as a vaudeville performer in the early 1920s before becoming the first star of the Grand Ole Opry in the latter half of the decade.

Macon's music is considered the ultimate bridge between 19th-century American folk and vaudeville music and the phonograph and radio-based music of the early 20th-century. Music historian Charles Wolfe wrote, "If people call yodelling Jimmie Rodgers 'the father of country music,' then Uncle Dave must certainly be 'the grandfather of country music'." Macon's polished stage presence and lively personality have made him one of the most enduring figures of early country music.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1870 (Tennessee), Died March 22, 1952 (Murfreesboro)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1924 - 1938

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, banjo, composer, leader, lyricist, guitar, speaker

Notes: Frequent subcredit: "The Dixie Dewdrop."

See Also: Dixie Sacred Singers

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 201-206 of 206 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Vocalion 13358-13359 10-in. June 1924 Jonah and the whale Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet vocalist  
Vocalion 13360-13361 10-in. June 1924 I’m going away to leave you, love Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal solo vocalist  
Vocalion 13362-13363 10-in. June 1924 Love somebody Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet vocalist  
Vocalion 13364-13365 10-in. June 1924 Soldier’s joy Sidney J. Harkreader ; Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal duet vocalist  
Vocalion 13375-13376 10-in. 7/11/1924 Bile them cabbage down Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal solo vocalist  
Vocalion 13377-13378 10-in. 7/11/1924 Down by the river Uncle Dave Macon Male vocal solo vocalist  
(Results 201-206 of 206 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Macon, Uncle Dave," accessed May 6, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106725.

Macon, Uncle Dave. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 6, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106725.

"Macon, Uncle Dave." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 6 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106725

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