As a youth, the author obtained a scratchy old 78rpm record of "The Prisoner's Song" sung by Vernon Dalhart. He also sang and played American Folk songs on an old acoustic guitar with a harmonica rest strapped around his neck. It was at that time that he wondered, who were these early recording artists?What was their background? How old really, were these Folk and Country songs; How and where did they originate? Fragments of Yesteryear is intended to give some answers to these questions, in the hope it may enthuse others to enjoy this hobby, but moreover, to enjoy this rustic music.The author is a specialist in early American rural recordings. Fragments of Yesteryear represents many years of first-hand research based on field trips to Appalachia and other rural areas in order to understand the the origin of rural musicians, and of their music. From his substantial private collection of obscure early country recordings, he is pleased to be able to share the information herein and to dedicate this book to the memory of a fellow collector, the late much loved Albert Shewmaker of Kentucky (formerly Indiana) who spent his entire life researching these musicians.
