Country Music Roots and History - Vernon Dalhart

Vernon Dalhart was named Marion Try Slaughter when he was first born. He got the name Vernon Dalhart from two towns in Texas that he worked in the general area of. He played the jews harp and the harmonica. He took singing lessons at the Dallas Conservatory of Music. In 1924, Dalhart recorded "The Wreck of Old '97" for Victor Talking Machine Company. The national record success of this recording aroused the interest of Recording Companies in Country music. It was the first country hit with nationwide success. Over time, it sold more than 7 million copies. Due to the number of stage names that he used, it is unknown how many recordings he actually did, but it was believed that he was the most recorded artist of his time.