Tennessee Ramblers

Tennessee Ramblers

Source: Hillbilly Music

The Tennessee Ramblers based in North Carolina had little to do with Tennessee. That was the bluegrass band by the same name also known as the Sievers Ramblers. Among the first of the country swing bands, these Ramblers reveal the early sibling relationship between country western and jazz. Formed in 1928 by mandolinist, Dick Hartman (b 1898), to perform at radio stations like Pittsburg's KDKA, original members of the group are unidentified. It's thought that Hartman recruited Cecil Campbell (banjo / steel guitar), Kenneth Pappy Wolfe (fiddle) and Harry Blair (guitar / vocals) in 1932-33.

Per Tony Russell's 'Country Music Records' (CMR) the Ramblers first recorded on January 3, 1935, in New York City, putting down twenty titles like 'When I Take My Vacation in Heaven' / 'Silver Threads' (Bluebird 5796) and 'From the Palms of Hawaii' / 'March of the Roses' (Bluebird 5962). CMR also has Jack Gillette (Rene Oza Guillet) in that session as likely on fiddle and vocals. A couple sessions worth 22 titles followed in August, adding Fred "Happy" Morris (guitar / vocals) to the roster: 'Mountain Dew Blues' / 'Back to Old Smoky Mountain' (Bluebird 6105) and 'Rambler's Rag' / 'Leechburg Polka' (Bluebird 6274), et al.

'March of the Roses'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Dick Hartman

3 Jan 1935 in NYC   Matrix BS-87242   Bluebird B-5962

Composition: Cecil Campbell

'Mountain Dew Blues'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Dick Hartman

4 Aug 1935 in Atlanta, Georgia   Matrix BS-94300   Bluebird B-6105

Vocal: Fred "Happy" Morris

Composition: ?

'New River Train'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Dick Hartman

4 Aug 1935 in Atlanta, Georgia   Matrix BS-94309   Bluebird B-6162

Vocal: Cecil Campbell

Composition

'Who Broke the Lock'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Dick Hartman

5 Aug 1935 in Atlanta, Georgia   Matrix BS-94318

Bluebird B-6207 / Montgomery Ward M-4814

Composition: Keller Mack / Ned Monroe

Along with numerous titles in 1936, some including fiddler, Elmer Warren, the Ramblers appeared in the film, 'Ride Ranger Ride', with Gene Autry. They were with Autry again in 1937 in 'The Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge'.

Hartman left the band in 1938. The group's next recordings on February 2 of 1939 consisted of Jack Gillette (leader), Cecil Campbell, Harry Blair and Tex Martin (Martin Shope - guitar / vocals). That session yielded four titles: 'Sugar Blues' (Bluebird 8062), 'Trumpet Talking Blues' (Bluebird 8081) and 'There's a Beautiful Home' / 'The Hills of Home' (Bluebird 8176). Another 1939 session followed in August.

'Trumpet Talking Blues'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Jack Gillette

2 Feb 1939 Andrew Jackson Hotel in Rock Hill SC   Matrix BS-031984   Bluebird B-8081

Trumpet: ?   Steel guitar: Cecil Campbell   Fiddle: Jack Gillette

Guitar: Tex Martin / Harry Blair

Composition: ?

'Tonight You Belong to Me'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Jack Gillette

24 Aug 1939 in Atlanta, Georgia   Matrix BS-041316   Bluebird B-8283

Steel guitar: Cecil Campbell   Fiddle: Jack Gillette

Guitar: Tex Martin (vocal) / Harry Blair

Composition: Lee David / Billy Rose

'Four or Five Times'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Jack Gillette

24 Aug 1939 in Atlanta, Georgia   Matrix BS-041318

 Bluebird B-8298   Montgomery Ward M-8501

Fiddle: Jack Gillette

Guitar: Cecil Campbell / Harry Blair (vocal)   Bass: Tex Martin

Composition: Byron Gay / Marco Hellman

The Ramblers performed with Tex Ritter in the films, 'Ridin' the Cherokee Trail' and 'The Pioneers' in 1941.

'Down in Arkansas' / 'Arkansas Rag'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Jack Gillette

From the film w Tex Ritter 'Ridin' the Cherokee Trail' released 25 Feb 1941

Concertina / vocals: Lloyd “Arkansas Slim” Andrews

Among personnel: Campbell / Gillette (fiddle) / Blair / Martin (bass)

Composition: Johnny Lange / Lew Porter

'I Love Hawaii'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Jack Gillette

4 Oct 1941 in Atlanta, Georgia   Matrix BS-071094   Bluebird B-8941

Personnel: Campbell / Gillette / Blair / Martin

Composition: Cecil Campbell

'Hawaiian Skies'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Jack Gillette

13 Nov 1945 in room 1024 of the Charlotte Hotel in NC   Victor 20-1790

Composition: Cecil Campbell

Gillette is thought to have led the band to 1946. Campbell, whose steel guitar was largely the main feature throughout the Ramblers' existence, then took lead. The following is a brief list of some of Campbell's compositions:

   Beaty Steel Blues   1945
   Catawba River Blues   1950
   Steel Guitar Swing   1950
   Steel Guitar Wiggle   1951
   Tennessee Steel Guitar   1951
   Campbell Steel March   1963
   Money Can't Bring Happiness   1963

'Spookie Boogie'   Tennessee Ramblers led by Cecil Campbell

17 Oct 1950 in Charlotte NC   Victor 21-0409 / RCA Victor 48-0409

Steel guitar: J.N. Richardson   Fiddle: Sam Poplin

Guitar: Cecil Campbell (vocal) / D.C. Price   Upright bass: W.P.L. Davis

Composition: Dale Parker / L.C. Eppright

Praguefrank's shows the Ramblers recording to as late as 1970: 'Steel Guitar Blues' / 'Mt. Dew Blues' (Winston 1006). Campbell continued performing until his death at age 78 (b March 22, 1911) on June 18, 1989, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Praguefrank's (Cecil Campbell / 1945-70)

Praguefrank's (Tennessee Ramblers / 1939-44)

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