DeFord Bailey
DeFord Bailey was an influential harmonica player in both country music and blues, one of the Grand Ole Opry’s most popular early performers, and country’s first African-American star.
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The Discover series explores diverse voices in country music.
DeFord Bailey was an influential harmonica player in both country music and blues, one of the Grand Ole Opry’s most popular early performers, and country’s first African-American star.
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Everyone starts somewhere! Long before Bobby Hebb wrote his hit song “Sunny,” the Nashville native was one of the first Black performers to appear on the Grand Ole Opry.
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