The Delmore Brothers

The Delmore Brothers were an American vocal and instrumental (fiddle, guitar) duo, consisting of brothers Alton and Rabon Delmore. Rabon played the four string tenor guitar and in most cases sang the harmony. Alton played the standard six string Spanish guitar and sang lead. On occasion, they would switch parts to get a better blend. Their career started when they auditioned for Columbia in 1931, which led to their first record for the label. Soon after, they were signed by the Grand Ole Opry. Their radio debut was on the Nashville program in 1932. From the late 1930's and throughout the 1940's, the brothers appeared on many other stations as well. In the 1940's and 1950's, they were represented on King Records (3). Their output included such songs as "Blues Stay Away From Me," "Prisoner's Farewell," "Midnight Special" and "Pan American Boogie," among others. In 1952 Rabon died of lung cancer, after which Alton suffered a heart attack, the loss of his father and his daughter Susan, all within a three-year period. He moved back in Huntsville, Alabama. He taught some guitar, did odd jobs, and wrote prose. His autobiography, "Truth is Stranger than Publicity", was published posthumously in the 1970s. The Delmore Brothers were inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Their contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.