May 4th in Gennett History, 1928: Allison’s Sacred Harp Singers recorded “Sweet Morning” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6606.
May 5th in Gennett History…
1901: Happy 117th Birthday, Blind Willie McTell! (5/5/1901). The guitarist recorded with Curley Weaver for Champion with many of the records also ending up on Decca in April 1935 in Chicago. Here Weaver and McTell recorded their “Two Faced Woman.”
1977: prolific Gennett recording artist and organizer, Sam Lanin died. Lanin’s Famous Players recorded ‘”Wabash Blues” in NYC on 11/24/1921. It appeared on Gennett 4796, Connorized 3019, Edison Bell Winner 3643, Rich-Tone 7013, and Starr-Gennett 9180.
May 6th in Gennett History…
1903: Happy 115th Birthday Cliff Carlisle! (5/6/1903). Carlisle recorded over two dozen sides as both a featured performer and sideman for Gennett and Champion, including “Chicken Roost Blues” with Wilbur Ball from 12/9/1931. It appeared on Champion 16364, Champion 45132, Superior 2777, Montgomery Ward 8036, and Decca X-1238. Champion 16364 sold only 250 copies in 1932.
1924: The Wolverine Orchestra recorded “Riverboat Shuffle” in Richmond. It was released on Gennett 5454. The track featured Bix Beiderbecke (c); Jimmy Hartwell (cl); George Johnson (ts); Dick Voynow (p); Bob Gillette (bj/g); Min Leibrook (tu); Vic Moore (d). Ninety-one years ago, the band also recorded “Copenhagen,” “Oh Baby,” and “Susie.”
Gennett Records Discography 