Bob Dunn

Robert Lee Dunn (February 5, 1908 – May 27, 1971) was a pioneer Western swing steel guitarist. Influenced by influential Hawaiian lap steel guitar player Sol Hoʻopiʻi, Dunn played in his own original bluesy style and was one of the first to record an electric guitar, preceding other country & western guitarists following him shortly. He preceded by over three years George Barnes (with Big Bill Broonzy in 1938), Leonard Ware and, slightly later, Eddie Durham.

On January 27, 1935, Dunn became one of the first musicians to record an electrically amplified instrument as a member of Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies.

Dunn also played steel guitar in numerous other Western swing groups including those of Cliff Bruner and one of Moon Mullican's earlier bands. Dunn also had his own group, The Vagabonds, featuring Mullican and Cliff Bruner.

Dunn was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1992.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 5, 1908 (Braggs), Died May 27, 1971 (Houston)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1935 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: steel guitar, electric steel guitar, electric guitar, vocalist, composer

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

Recordings (Results 201-225 of 294 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 66386 10-in. 9/3/1939 Shoutin' in the amen corner The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66387 10-in. 9/3/1939 Ain't no use to worry anymore The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66388 10-in. 9/4/1939 I wish it wasn't so The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66389 10-in. 9/4/1939 Parking meter blues The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66390 10-in. 9/4/1939 If you don't like my peaches The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66391 10-in. 9/4/1939 You can't get love The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66392 10-in. 9/4/1939 No matter what they say The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66393 10-in. 9/4/1939 Don't take my darling away The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66394 10-in. 9/4/1939 I have my bed The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66395 10-in. 9/5/1939 To tell the truth Dickie McBride instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66396 10-in. 9/5/1939 I'm dreaming tonight of the old folks Dickie McBride instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66397 10-in. 9/5/1939 You'll be sorry bye and bye Dickie McBride instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66398 10-in. 9/5/1939 I've nothing to live for now Dickie McBride instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66399 10-in. 9/5/1939 If you cared Dickie McBride instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66400 10-in. 9/5/1939 I'm countin' on the mountain moon Dickie McBride instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66401 10-in. 9/5/1939 I'm grievin' for believin' in a lie Dickie McBride instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66402 10-in. 9/5/1939 This night is mine Dickie McBride instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66415 10-in. 9/5/1939 Basin Street blues Bob Dunn's Vagabonds instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66416 10-in. 9/5/1939 was that all I meant to you Bob Dunn's Vagabonds instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66417 10-in. 9/5/1939 You're my darling Leon Selph's Blue Ridge Playboys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66418 10-in. 9/5/1939 My precious baby girl Leon Selph's Blue Ridge Playboys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66419 10-in. 9/5/1939 Meet me tonight in dreams Bob Dunn's Vagabonds instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66420 10-in. 9/5/1939 Stompin' at the honky tonk Bob Dunn's Vagabonds instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66421 10-in. 9/5/1939 Wednesday rag (Instrumental) Bob Dunn's Vagabonds instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66422 10-in. 9/5/1939 I'll tell the world Bob Dunn's Vagabonds instrumentalist, steel guitar, vocalist  
(Results 201-225 of 294 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dunn, Bob," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/113144.

Dunn, Bob. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/113144.

"Dunn, Bob." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/113144

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