Bailes Brothers

about

From the mid-'40s through the '50s the Bailes Brothers were among the most popular close-harmony duets. There were actually four brothers — Kyle, Johnnie, Walter and Homer — but they seldom worked together as an entire group, instead pairing off for performances. The Bailes were born and raised in West Virginia, near Charleston. Their father, a minister, died when they were young and their impoverished mother had to struggle to keep them together. (Years later, Walter paid tribute to her trials with his song "Give Mother My Crown.") While working a variety of odd jobs during the Depression, the brothers were inspired to pursue music by the songs of such performers as Billy Cox and Buddy Starcher. They started out on a variety of radio programs, but didn't earn much recognition until 1942, when Johnnie and Walter began working as a duo at WSAZ Huntington. All four brothers played string instruments; after they became popular, they added other members to their group, among them Fiddlin' Arthur Smith. It was Roy Acuff who got the Bailes their big break when he suggested to WSM Nashville executives that the brothers appear on the Grand Ole Opry. They made their debut on the show in 1944 and stayed in Nashville for two years. They made their recording debut in early 1945 for Columbia; among their first singles were their original songs "Dust on the Bible" and "The Drunkard's Grave." As they continued recording the brothers added more and more original songs, such as "Broken Marr

top songs

albums

Goodbye, Babylon

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Goodbye, Babylon (Disc 5)

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Goodbye, Babylon, Vol. 5

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Oh So Many Years

Goodbye, Babylon CD 05 - Goodbye, Babylon

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Goodbye, Babylon CD 05 - Goodbye- Babylon

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Goodbye, Babylon CD5 - Goodbye, Babylon

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1930s & 1940s halloween songs

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Where The Soul of Man Never Dies

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The Smithsonian Collection Of Classic Country Music

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Dim Lights, Thick Smoke and Hillbilly Music, Country & Western Hit Parade 1947

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Avenue of Prayer

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