Vernon Dalhart

VERNON DALHART born Marion Try Slaughter, was a popular American singer and songwriter of the early 20th century. He is a major influence in the field of country music. Dalhart saw an advertisement in the local newspaper for singers and applied, and was auditioned by Thomas Alva Edison, going on to make numerous records for Edison Records. From 1916 until 1923 using numerous pseudonyms, he made over 400 recordings of light classical music and early dance band vocals for various record labels. He was already an established singer when he made his first country music recordings which cemented his place in music history.