Bailes Brothers Album

Just before my brother Johnnie and I joined the "Grand Ole Opry," we were working at WSAZ Radio in Huntington, W.Va., on the Tri-State Jamboree, in the early 1940's. Roy Acuff played the Jamboree and was a guest on our program at that time. After hearing our original songs and style, he asked us to come to Nashville sometime and he would get us an audition for WSM. A little bit later, we took some time off and went to Nashville, and with Roy's help, we auditioned for George D. Hay. He liked us, but did not feel he could use us at that time. Roy insisted that we audition for Harry Stone, who was the manager, who hired us on the spot and told us when to appear for our first early morning radio program. We were sponsored by Martha White Flour and I believe we may have been the first act they sponsored there.

Shortly after that (a couple of weeks), due to our good reception by radio listeners, we became regular members of the "Grand Ole Opry." This was the beginning of a very successful association with WSM, and also Roy Acuff who along with Fred Rose, did more than anyone else to establish the Bailes Brothers as an international act and to get our recording contract with Columbia Records.

While we were at the Opry, we became the number two country act on the Opry and Columbia Records next to Roy Acuff. We drew more Fan Mail than any other act... We advertised and sold our first songbook from WSM. Many times we would get as many as 1300 orders in one day. From April to October of the first year we sold 175,000 copies of our first edition.

"The Bailes Brothers" first "Opry" band consisted of Johnnie and myself on guitars and vocals. (At that time Johnnie usually sang tenor). Little Evy (Evy Lou), on the bass fiddle and occasional vocal, Des Heck on fiddle, and Ernest Ferguson on mandolin. Later Shot Jackson joined us on steel guitar and brother Homer joined on the fiddle. Homer also sang in our trio numbers and provided the comedy. Just before we left Nashville to go to KWKH in Shreveport, LA, our older brother Kyle joined us on bass and as our booking agent. Kyle had appeared with me and Johnnie preceding our "Opry" Career as early as 1937 at WCHS Radio, Charleston, W.Va., near our home town at WULS in Beckley, W.Va.

While we worked on the "Grand Ole Opry" we were booked on package shows with Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Eddy Arnold, Pee Wee King, Kitty Wells, Johnny and Jack , Hank Williams, Webb Pierce and Bill Monroe and others plus headlining our own shows. Our songs such as "Dust on the Bible" became best sellers on Columbia and have subsequently been recorded by most major acts doing Country and Gospel music.

Many of the songs included on this album were songs we featured during World War II on the "Grand Ole Opry" and have become our best known and most requested songs. We are happy to make these songs available to you, our fans, once again for your listening enjoyment. Johnnie and I hope you will enjoy these old songs and if you would like to drop us a note, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our addresses are as follows:

 

Side 2: The Bailes Brothers with Lee Moore -- Walter Bailes lead vocal, guitar, Kyle Bailes guitar, mouth harp,
harmony vocals, Ernest Ferguson mandolin, with Lee Moore dobro, guitar, intro: Bob Montgomery

     1.  I HAVE DUSTED OFF THE BIBLE
     2.  WE SOLD EVERYTHING DOWN HERE
     3.  GIVE MOTHER MY CROWN
     4.  I HEAR MY MOTHER CALL-Lee Moore, lead vocal
     5.  YOU PLAYED ON RADIO SHOWS
     6.  I ONLY WANT A BUDDY - Lee Moore, lead vocal
     7.  WILL THE ANGELS HAVE A SWEETHEART