Emmett Miller was an American singer and minstrel show performer born as Emmett Dewey Miller on February 2, 1900, in Macon. He reached wider visibility for his yodel-like falsetto voice and his influence on country music singers including Hank Williams and Bob Wills. Miller began his career in minstrel shows in his early 20s and released his first recordings on the label Okeh Records in 1924. Between 1928 and 1930, his backup ensemble the Georgia Crackers included musicians Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Gene Krupa, and Eddie Lang. His recording career included the song “Lovesick Blues” and the song “I Ain't Got Nobody”, which were both recorded in versions that influenced later early country music artists. Miller continued to perform in minstrel shows until the 1950s long after they had fallen out of fashion. His work is recognized as a link between Southern old-time music, jazz, and Western swing. Miller died on March 29, 1962. Posthumous releases included the compilation recording The Minstrel Man from Georgia (1996).
