Origins: Wreck of the Old 97

Subject: RE: Origins: Wreck of the Old 97
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 02 Sep 18 - 09:40 AM

Early Recordings:
1924 – Bob White (Vernon Dalhart): THE WRECK OF THE OLD 97
1924 – Ernest Thompson: WRECK OF SOUTHERN OLD 97
1924 – Vernon Dalhart: THE WRECK OF THE OLD 97
1925 – Carl Felton’s Orchestra with Billy Jones and Ernest Hare: WRECK ON THE SOUTHERN OLD 97
1925 – Kelly Harrell: THE WRECK OF THE SOUTHERN OLD 97
1925 – Vernon Dalhart: THE WRECK OF THE SOUTHERN OLD 97
1927 – Gid Tanner and His Skillet Lickers, with Riley Puckett and Clayton McMichen: THE WRECK OF THE SOUTHERN OLD '97
1927 – Jeff Calhoun: WRECK OF THE OLD '97
1940 – Dick Robertson and His Orchestra: WRECK OF THE OLD 97
1942 – Johnny Mercer with Freddie Slack and His Orchestra: WRECK OF THE OLD 97
1942 – Muggsy Spanier Orchestra: THE WRECK OF THE OLD 97
1944 – The Jesters: WRECK OF THE OLD 97
1947 – Fred Kirby: THE WRECK OF THE OLD 97
1948 – Jim Dale and His Prides of the Prairie: WRECK OF THE OLD 97
1949 – Danny Kaye: THE WRECK OF THE OLD 97
1951 – Hank Snow: WRECK OF THE OLD 97

Subject: RE: Origins: Wreck of the Old 97
From: GaryG
Date: 05 Sep 18 - 07:57 AM

Henry Whitter was a real pioneer. With GB Grayson he made the first recordings of not only this one but also Tom Dooley. Dalhart copied Henry's version. He was not overly blessed with talent, but he was there at the beginning. Grayson, on the other hand, was a wonderful fiddler. Lee Highway Blues is still a popular tune.

They held a centennial observance of the wreck in Danville. The historical marker is on Business 58. The refurbished depot (1899) has a model of the wreck and there is a mural near the site.