May as well ask if black folks can sing and play country music. Fact is, they can when they want to, and some do. We had a black visitor at the Ozark Folk Center a while back who played a mean old time country style harmonica, and obviously enjoyed playing it that way, too.

Can't think of anyone I'd rather hear sing the blues than Jo Ann Kelly. Trouble is, she just never got to sing them enough. Austin and Lee Allen sure could sing the blues. Of course, they got mad and quit their record label when they issued their recordings in the Race category. But that is another story altogether.

Complete recordings of the Allen Brothers, borrowed from the handy Camsco site ~~ watch those green links pile up! Allen Brothers

DOCU 8033, Complete Recorded Works, 1927-1930, $15.69

Salty Dog Blues ~ Bow Wow Blues ~ Chattanooga Blues ~ Laughin' & Cryin' Blues ~ Ain't That Skippin' & Flyin' ~ Cheat 'em ~ Frisco Blues ~ Tiple Blues ~ Free Little Bird ~ Skipping & Flying ~ Prisoner's Dream ~ I'll Be All Smiles Tonight ~ I've Got the Chain Store Blues ~ Jake Walk Blues ~ Enforcement Blues ~ Reckless Night Blues ~ New Chattanooga Blues ~ Shanghai Rooster Blues ~ I'm Always Whistling the Blues ~ Roll Down the Line ~ Old Black Crow in the Hickory Nut Tree ~ No Low down Hanging Around ~ Maybe Next Week Sometime

DOCU 8034, Complete Recorded Works, 1930-1932, $15.69

Salty Dog Blues ~ Bow Wow Blues ~ Chattanooga Blues ~ Laughin' & Cryin' Blues ~ Ain't That Skippin' & Flyin' ~ Cheat 'em ~ Frisco Blues ~ Tiple Blues ~ Free Little Bird ~ Skipping & Flying ~ Prisoner's Dream ~ I'll Be All Smiles Tonight ~ I've Got the Chain Store Blues ~ Jake Walk Blues ~ Enforcement Blues ~ Reckless Night Blues ~ New Chattanooga Blues ~ Shanghai Rooster Blues ~ I'm Always Whistling the Blues ~ Roll Down the Line ~ Old Black Crow in the Hickory Nut Tree ~ No Low down Hanging Around ~ Maybe Next Week Sometime