"Al Hopkins and his Virginia-based band The Hill Billies was one of the first southern string bands to make commercially successful records. Their first sides were done in New York on January 15, 1925, a bare eighteen months after OKeh released the 'first' country record, by Fiddlin' John Carson. Record companies were just starting to get interested in what they were calling 'old time' music, just starting to discover there was an audience for it. The Hill Billies, with their excellent musicianship, variety of repertoire, and showmanship helped convince the companies that this music was a serious commodity. Unlike many of these early bands, the Hill Billies retained their appeal through the later 1920's; between 1925 and 1928, they released some 73 sides, including their share of old-time classics." (Charles Wolfe, "notes" to The Hill Billies: Al Hopkins and His Buckle Busters, vol. 1, Document DOCD-8039). "Gideon's Band" (E-28918 -Br 295; recorded New York, NY, December 20, 1928) is on vol. 3 (DOCD-8041, track 15).

~Masato