UNCLE DAVE MACON

Born in 1870, banjoist and comic Uncle Dave Macon bridged the gap between 19th century vaudeville and 20th century country music. After spending his first 50 years as a farmer and teamster (hauling goods with a mule and cart), Uncle Dave turned his music hobby into a career. He traveled with touring companies, building up an audience with his old-time music and comedy stage show. In 1923 he began working with a fiddler, and the next year he recorded his first material for OKeh; in 1926 he became a cast member of the brand-new Grand Ole Opry. He assembled a group he named the Fruit Jar Drinkers, performing crowd-pleasers like "Take Me Back to My Old Carolina Home," "Keep My Skillet Good and Greasy" and "Chewing Gum." The raconteur and showman continued to play the Grand Ole Opry until three weeks before his death at age 81.

Courtesy of palmpictures.com

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