1940s Country Music Artists

Cafe Society
1

I’m in the midst of helping plan my grandparent’s 60th anniversary. They were married the fall of 1943 and my grandfather was drafted the day after Christmas that year.

I’m looking for some good tunes to play at the party. Finding the Big Band stuff is easy, and I’ve even found a great CD of World War II love songs. Here’s where I need Doper help:

My grandparents love old country music by folks like Bob Wills and Roy Acuff. Can any of you recommend other 40s country artists that would be a hit with my grandparents? Recommendations for any other 40s music CDs would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

2

Sounds like fun. I have a couple of CDs called 50’s Country Hits and 60’s Country Hits. I’d be willing to bet there’s one for the 40’s.

Have you googled it?

Or look for Hank Williams, Webb Pierce, Tex Ritter, Ernest Tubb, Hank Thompson, maybe even Grand 'Ol Opry.

Do you have some Frankie Laine and Guy Mitchell? They were popular then too, and they still sound good.

3

I don’t really have an answer, but if you could just get “Country Earl” out of Greenville, SC, you could really get some good stuff. He pulls out oldies all the way back to the 40s.

4

Here’s a link to All Music Guide’s ‘Traditional Country’ page. It’s not a direct link as much as a point in the right direction for the information you seek.

5

Some Carter Family tunes would probably be good. Maybe “Keep on the Sunny Side” and “Wabash Cannonball”?

6

Thanks for the tips!

I just found a CD titled “Classic Country/Golden Forties” that seems to have some good singles on it, including Floyd Tillman (that’s the name I’ve been trying to remember!).

7

I have CDs by Hank Penny, and a compilation called Country Boogie, which is a collection of odd overlaps between CW and Big Band.

But I don’t have these with me to offer details. however, they’d be grea for what you’re looking for.

8

I’d also recommend some Sons of the Pioneers. Maybe “Cool Water” or “Tumbling Tumbleweeds”.

9

If they like Bob Wills-style Texas Swing, try Milt Brown & His Musical Brownies, The Tune Weavers, or Spade Cooley.

(Personally, I love the stuff…)

10

You just gotta have some from Uncle Dave Macon. LINK

11

Don’t forget good ol’ Jimmy rodgers, the singing brakeman

12

errr, Jimmie Rodgers

13

If they were in or near California, chances are they also heard a lot of the Maddox Brothers & Rose back in the day.

Even if they didn’t, it’s still great stuff to include on a compilation.