Vernon Dalhart

Marion Try Slaughter II, known professionally as Vernon Dalhart, was born on April 6, 1883, in Jefferson, Texas. He began his career as a cowboy before studying classical music and moving to New York City in 1910. Adopting the stage name Vernon Dalhart, he initially gained recognition for operatic roles. His first recordings appeared around 1915. In August 1924, Dalhart released "The Wreck Of The Old 97" and "The Prisoner’s Song", with the latter reaching Number 1 on the charts and selling over seven million copies. He recorded for more than fifty labels under various pseudonyms, producing approximately eight hundred songs. Despite his success being overshadowed by authentic hillbilly musicians, Dalhart's contributions significantly popularized country music nationally. He died on September 14, 1948, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame posthumously in 1981.