Alabama's Music Achievers

D

MUSIC ACHIEVERS

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LEROY DALLAS - Mobile, Alabama

In the 30's and 40's, teaming up for some time with Frank Edwards
With Brownie McGhee (with whom Dallas had played guitar and washboard in the 30's) and Big Chief Ellis
Albums include Country Blues Classics Vol. 4 (c.1966) and Blues All Around My Bed (c.1967).

JERRY DANIEL - Andalusia, Alabama

Chosen the Blues artist of the month of October, 1999, by the Blues and Jazz Federation of Alabama
Two-time winner for harmonica at the Fiddler's Convention in Atmore, Alabama
CD Burnt Corn Blues was released in June of 1999

JOHN DANIEL QUARTET - Boaz, Alabama

The first male quartet to devote it's exclusive time to Gospel singing
John Daniel sang first tenor, and his brother, Troy Daniel, sang lead.
They wrote many songs and made some of the earliest radio appearances in the business.
Many famous Gospel music personalities were "graduated" from the John Daniel Quartet, including Jake Hess, "Big Jim" Waits, Wally Fowler and Tommy Fairchild.

MARCUS DANIEL- Montgomery, Alabama

Co-writer of several songs made famous by Clarence Carter including "Slip Away" and "Lookin' For A Fox"
Also co-writer on Top 10 hits for Candi Staton - "Sweet Feeling" and Etta James - "Tell Mama"

JOHNNY DARRELL - Hopewell, Alabama

First to record "Green, Green Grass of Home," "Son of Hickory Holler's Tramp," and "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town"
1966 CashBox Magazine's "Most Promising Male Artist"

DEAN DAUGHTRY - Samson, Alabama

Toured with Roy Orbison's backup band, The Candymen.
Played keyboards with the Classics IV in 1969 and recorded with them on the Gold single "Stormy".
Joined the Atlanta Rhythm Section in 1971 playing on all of the band's 12 albums

"COW COW" DAVENPORT - Anniston, Alabama

Wrote "Cow Cow Blues" one of the most popular boogie-woogie piano tunes ever written
Worked on numerous vaudeville tours during the 1920s and 30s
Freddie Slack's version of his "Cow Cow Blues" was the first recording issued by Capitol Record Label

DON DAVIS - Calvert, Alabama

Steel guitar player with Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys
Nashville session musician on several of Hank Williams recordings
Produced "Jesus Is A Soul Man", 1st Contempory Gospel record to reach the Top charts.

JAMES "THUNDERBIRD" DAVIS - Mobile, Alabama

Gospel influenced R&B singer
Toured with Joe Tex & Guitar Slim

MILTON DAVIS - Birmingham, Alabama

Worked With: John Cougar Mellencamp, Bob Ludwig, Dionne Farris, Vova Nova
Writer of BMI Award winning Top 5 song "I Know" recorded by Dionne Farris

WILLIAM LEVI DAWSON-- Anniston, Alabama

Graduate of Tuskegee Institute
1931, organized the School of Music at Tuskegee and for 25 years conducted the 100 Voice Choir
Composed the "Negro Folk Symphony" that premiered in 1934 by the Philadelphia Orchestra under the direction of Leopold Stokowski

JIMMY DAY - Tuscaloosa, Alabama

One of the greatest steel guitarists
An innovator specializing in hardcore honky-tonk and western swing
Part of Louisiana Hayride house band
He played shows and recorded with Webb Pierce, Elvis Presley, George Jones, Ray Price, Jim Reeves, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, Sr.
Inducted into the International Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1982.

LYNN DeSHAZO - Birmingham, Alabama

Songwriter of over 300 "Praise and Worship" songs.
Her song "More Precious Than Silver" is listed in the top 25 of most performed songs in the genre.

LARRY DEAGON - Birmingham, Alabama

He became Instrumental Supervisor for the Jefferson County Board of Education in 1968 and served in that position until his retirement in 1987.
He rehearsed bands, conducted section rehearsals, gave private lessons, and advised directors, concerning music selection, pedagogy, rehearsal procedure, and musical interpretation.
Inducted to the Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame in 1994.

SAM DEES - Birmingham, Alabama

A performer/songwriter whose songs have been recorded by Clarence Carter, The Persuaders, The Temptations, Tyronne Davis, and others.
Writer of #1 Hits: "One In A Million You" by Larry Graham and "Save the Overtime For Me" by Gladys Knight and the Pips

DELMORE BROTHERS-- Elkmont, Alabama

Their songs inspired modern artists such as Mark Knopfler, and Emmylou Harris.
The brothers began recording in 1931, and released over three hundred recordings on Columbia, Bluebird, Decca, King and Acme records.
Credited with introducing boogie to country music, helped Roy Acuff break into the business, and formed the gospel quartet, The Browns Ferry Four.
They wrote over 1500 songs including "Blues Stay Away From Me," "Beautiful Brown Eyes," "Midnight Special," and "Browns Ferry Blues".
They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1931.
Inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1989.

LIONEL DELMORE - Birmingham, Alabama

Son of Alton Delmore
He and John Anderson began writing together in 1977 and had a string of successful songs including "Swingin'" which was certified gold.
In 1984 Lionel and Anderson won the Music City News Songwriters of the Year Award.
Other artists recording Delmore's songs include George Jones, Mel McDaniel, Faron Young, Carl Perkins and Conway Twitty.

DENSON BROTHERS - Double Springs, Alabama

Brothers Seaborn & Thomas Jackson formed the Sacred Harp Publishing Co. in 1933
Revised & Published "Original Sacred Harp" song book in 1936
T.J. Denson taught in singing schools from Georgia to Texas, he was credited with teaching more Sacred Harp singers than any other man.

BOBBY DENTON - Cherokee, Alabama

One of the first performers from the Muscle Shoals area to gain some national recognition.
Helped establish the recording industry in the Muscle Shoals area
Recorded with music producer/promoter Judd Phillips, the brother of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips

VERNON DERRICK - Arab, Alabama

Traveled for three years with the Stanley Brothers and recorded 4 albums with them on King Records.
From 1964 through 1980 he traveled with Jimmy Martin. During this time he recorded 12 albums for Decca and MCA.
In 1982 he joined the Hank Williams, Jr. band and fiddled for him till 1988. He performed on numerous awards shows and recorded 8 albums and many singles on the Electra and Warner Brothers labels.
Appeared on the Wheeling Jamboree, Louisiana Hayride, Midwestern Hayride, The Grand Ole Opry, Hee-Haw, Ralph Emery's Nashville Now, New Country plus many more.

KEVIN DERRYBERRY - Selma, Alabama

For nineteen years was lead singer and keyboard player for the band, Telluride, a secular band of immense popularity in the South.
He has opened for and performed with acts such as the Blues Traveler, Jimmy Buffett, The Guess Who, ZZ Top, Charlie Daniels, Marshall Tucker Band, Cheap Trick, and many more.
More recently, he has been in concert with Third Day, Point of Grace, Audio Adrenaline, Avalon, Big Tent Revival, FFH, Jennifer Knapp, Charles Billingsley, 4 Him and Steven Curtis Chapman and many others.
Derryberry has released five Contemporary Christian Rock Gospel CDs in as many years.

OTT DEVINE - Gadsden, Alabama

Prominent radio executive at WSM in Nashville from the 1940s through the 1960s.
Replaced Jack Stapp as program director and took on the additional role of Grand Ole Opry manager in 1959

HARRY DIAL - Birmingham, Alabama

Joined band led by violinist Wilson Robinson, then played with Clifford 'Klarinet' King's Big Band (1928-9). With Jerome Don Pasquall's Band in 1930, also led own band.
Played with Oscar 'Bernie' Young, pianist Ira Coffey, and Ida Mae Marples before joining Louis Armstrong's Big Band in March 1933
With Fats Waller in Spring of 1935, then with Chin Lee's Band. Played in Ed Allen's Band from 1937-40, also did regular work as music copyist during late 1930's and 40's.

DIXIE GENTLEMEN - Muscle Shoals, Alabama

The band was built around the compositions of guitarist/lead vocalist Jake Landers (Town Creek, AL)along with their vocal trios and the solid instrumentation of Herschel Sizemore (Sheffield, AL) on mandolin and Rual Yarbrough (Florence, AL)on banjo. In addition, fiddler Vassar Clements played with them for a time, as did fiddler, Al Lester (Muscle Shoals, AL). The group had several bass players over the years including Billy Sizemore, Wesley Stevens, and especially Jesse Handley.
The dissolution of the Dixie Gentlemen resulted from a need for their services as sidemen in bands led by top names in the field.

ERIC DOVER - Jasper, Alabama

In the alternative rock 'n' roll band Jellyfish touring Europe, Japan and Australia playing guitar and singing background vocals.
Lead vocalist with Slash's Snakepit, a band put together by former Guns n' Roses' guitarist Slash.

ARTHUR DOYLE - Birmingham, Alabama

Saxophone player involved in "free jazz" movement
He is more recognized abroad with successful tours of Europe and Japan
Played with Sun Ra at one point in his career

DRIFTING COWBOYS - Montgomery, Alabama

The original Drifting Cowboys, formed in 1937, were the back-up band for Hank Williams.
The line-up of Don Helms (New Brockton, AL), Jerry Rivers, Sammy Pruett (Goodwater, AL) and Cedric Rainwater remained with Hank Williams until his death in 1953.
Many others were in the band through the years including Smith "Hezzy" Adair, Charley Mays, Shorty Seals, Boots Harris, Indian Joe Hatcher, Lum York(Elmore, AL), Bob McNett, Hillous Butrum and others.
Two singles were released by the Drifting Cowboys during 1953 and one in 1954 before they split up.
The band re-formed in 1960 and during 1968, worked a lot of dates with Hank Williams, Jr. breaking up again in 1971.
In 1976 the band reunited with Don Helms, Jerry Rivers, Bob McNett, Bobby Andrews and Jimmy Heap, Jr.
The band now tours with Hank Williams' daughter Jett Williams.

DRIFTERS - Wetumpka, Alabama

Andrew & Gerhart Thrasher brothers were two of the original four members.
Johnny Moore, a native of Selma, Alabama joined as lead singer in 1955
The group helped create soul music by bringing gospel styled vocals to secular material.
Early hits included "Money Honey" (1953), later covered by Elvis Presley; "Such A Night" (1954); "Honey Love" (1954); "White Christmas" (1954-55); "Whatcha Gonna Do" (1955), all Top Ten rhythm and blues hits.

WILSON DRIVER- Birmingham, Alabama

Member of the first jazz band in Birmingham, the Jazz Demons.
Organized the Ullman High School Band.
Moved to New York during the 40s playing drums with some of the most accomplished and acclaimed musicians in the country.

MIKE DUKE- Thomasville, Alabama

Joined the group Wet Willie in 1976 on keyboards and as an added vocalist.
He has worked with the Outlaws, Delbert McClinton, Huey Lewis, and Bugs Henderson to name a few.

STEVE DUKES - Bay Minette, Alabama

Songwriter with two #1 Hits on the Country Charts, the 1995 Tim McGraw single "I Like It, I Love It" and in 1996 Joe Diffe's "Bigger Than The Beatles".

"SON" DUNHAM - Selma, Alabama

An itinerant quartet trainer, best remembered as being active in Bessemer.
He could sing all four voices with facility, and this enabled him to coach young groups.
He was one of the major influences on the developing Jefferson County quartet style during the early 1920s.

"BIG" JOE DUSKIN - Birmingham, Alabama

Debut album was finally released by Arhoolie Records in 1979 and revealed him as a worthy bearer of the boogie?woogie tradition.
Later albums have appeared on the Special Delivery and Wolf labels.
He has also recorded behind Dave Peabody and The Blues Band.

Achiever	Style	Instrument	Worked With	Date Of Birth	Date Of Death	Place Of Birth	Home
Daddy Stovepipe	Blues	Vocals, Guitar	aka Johnny Watson	April 12, 1867		Mobile, AL
Daley, Lee	Rock, Pop, Country, R&B	Engineer	Wishbone Studio				Sheffield, AL
Dallas County Line	Country	Group	Richard Scrushy				Birmingham, AL
Dallas, Leroy	Blues	Vocals, Guitar	Atlantic Records	Dec. 12, 1920		Mobile, AL
Daniel, Jerry	Blues	Vocals, Guitar Harmonica		Nov. 28. 1960		Andalusia, AL	Monroeville, AL
Daniel, John	Gospel	Tenor Vocals	founder John Daniel Quartet	1906	1961	Boaz, AL
Daniel, Marcus Lewis	R&B	Songwriter	Clarence Carter			Montgomery, AL
Daniel, Melissa	Country, Pop	Vocals		1985		Sheffield, AL
Daniel, Troy	Gospel	Vocals	John Daniel Quartet			Boaz, AL
Daniels, Charles	Jazz	Trumpet, Arranger	Birmingham school band director	1915	June 25, 2002	Birmingham, AL
Achiever	Style	Instrument	Worked With	Date of Birth	Date of Death	Place of Birth	Home
Daniels, Hope	Country	Vocals	Milton Brown	Oct. 17, 1980		Mobile, AL
Danzig, Kevin	Folk, Rock	Vocals, Guitar				CA	Fairhope, AL
Darby, Ike "Big"	Blues	Vocals, Producer		1934	Sept. 6, 1988
Darnell, Argie	Country	Vocals		Aug. 4, 1983		LaFayette, AL
Darrell, Johnny	Country	Vocals, Guitar Songwriter		July 23, 1940	Oct. 7, 1997	Hopewell, AL
Daughtry, Dean	Pop, Rock, Gospel	Songwriter	Atlanta Rhythm Sec, ClassicsIV	Sept. 8, 1946		Samson, AL
Davenport, Alton	Jazz	Drums				Birmingham, AL
Davenport, Charles "Cow Cow"	Jazz	Vocals, Piano		April 23, 1894	Dec. 3, 1955	Anniston, AL
Davis, Chalmers	Country, Rock, R&B	Keyboards	Decoys, Little Richard			Muscle Shoals	Muscle Shoals, AL
Achiever	Style	Instrument	Worked With	Date of Birth	Date of Death	Place of Birth	Home
Davis, Denise	Country, Gospel	Vocals, Songwriter	Miss Alabama				Russellville, AL
Davis, Don	Country	Steel Guitar	Pee Wee King, Grand Ole Opry	Dec. 22, 1928		Calvert, AL
Davis, Freeman	R&B	Vocals, Bones, Whistling	See aka Brother Bones	Oct. 4, 1902	1974	Birmingham, AL
Davis, Henry	Broadway	Vocals	Showboat, Porgy & Bess			Montgomery, AL
Davis, James "Thunderbird"	Blues, R&B	Vocals	Muddy Waters, B.B. King	Oct. 10, 1938	Jan. 24, 1992	Prichard, AL
Davis, Louis	Gospel, Spiritual	Vocals
Davis, Michael	Classical	Violin	Gerhart String Ensemble			Albertville, AL
Davis, Milton	Rock	Bass, Songwriter, Producer	Dionne Farris, Corey Glover				Birmingham, AL
Davis, Russ	Jazz	Radio	Jazz Flavours national program			Birmingham, AL
Dawson, William Levi	Classical, Black Spiritual	Vocals, Composer, Conducter	Tuskegee Choir	Sept. 26, 1899	May 2, 1990	Anniston, AL	Tuskegee, AL
Day, Jimmy	Country	Steel Guitar	Webb Pierce, George Jones	Jan. 9, 1934	Jan. 22, 1999	Tuscaloosa, AL
Achiever	Style	Instrument	Worked With	Date of Birth	Date of Death	Place of Birth	Home
Day, Roger	Pop, Folk	Vocals, Guitar				Gardendale, AL
DeShazo, Lynn	Christian	Songwriter	Integrity Music			Birmingham, AL
DeVan, William	Classical	Piano	Birmingham-Southern College			AL	Birmingham, AL
Deacon, Lunchbox		Vocals	aka Timothy Tyson Ruttenber	1951	April 19, 1992
Deagon, Larry P.	Marching Band	Conductor	Band Masters Hall of Fame 1994	Aug. 11, 1924		Hornell, NY	Birmingham, AL
Decoys	Rock	Group					Muscle Shoals, AL
Deep South Singers	Gospel	Group					Huntsville, AL
Deerman, Russ	Gospel	Vocals	The Regents	June 24, 1965		Scottsboro, AL	Section, AL
Dees, Sam	R&B	Vocals, Songwriter		Dec. 17, 1945		Birmingham, AL
Del-Rays	Rock	Group	Jimmy Johnson				Muscle Shoals, AL
Delmore Brothers	Country, Gospel	Group	Alton & Rabon				Elkmont, AL
Achiever	Style	Instrument	Worked With	Date of Birth	Date of Death	Place of Birth	Home
Delmore, Alton	Country, Gospel	Vocals, Guitar	Delmore Bros., Browns Ferry 4	Dec. 25, 1908	June 8. 1964	Elkmont, AL
Delmore, Lionel	Country	Songwriter	John Anderson	Mar. 19, 1940	May 21, 2002	Birmingham, AL
Delmore, Rabon	Country, Gospel	Vocals, Guitar	Delmore Bros., Browns Ferry 4	Dec. 3, 1910	Dec. 4, 1952	Elkmont, AL
Demetropoulis, Phuyllis	Opera	Vocals, Soprano	Lincoln Center				Mobile, AL
Dennis Family	Gospel	Group	Paulette Dennis, Millie Brown				Millbrook, AL
Dennis, Sandra	Gospel	Vocals	The Dennis Family
Dennis, Wesley	Country	Vocals, Songwriter		1963		Clanton, AL
Denson, James M.	Gospel, Sacred Harp	Vocals, Composer
Denson, Orel W.	Gospel, Sacred Harp	Vocals				Cullman, AL
Denson, S. Whitt	Gospel, Sacred Harp	Vocals		1890		Cleburne Co., AL	Double Springs, AL
Denson, Seaborn McDaniel	Gospel, Sacred Harp	Vocals, Publisher, Educator	Sacred Harp Publishing Co.	April 9, 1854	April 18, 1936	Arbacoochee, AL
Achiever	Style	Instrument	Worked With	Date of Birth	Date of Death	Place of Birth	Home
Denson, Thomas Jackson	Gospel, Sacred Harp	Vocals, Publisher, Educator	Sacred Harp Publishing Co.	Jan. 20, 1863	Sept. 14, 1935	Arbacoochee, AL	Jasper, AL
Denton, Bobby	Pop, Rock	Vocals	Dick Clark Show	Aug. 13, 1938		Cherokee, AL	Tuscumbia, AL
Denton, Jack	Country	Vocals		Oct. 22, 1955		Tuscaloosa, AL
Denton, Johnny	Country	Vocals, Guitar	Tune Records	Mar. 8, 1936		Waco, AL
Denver, John		Songwriter				Montgomery, AL
Derrick, Vernon	Country, Bluegrass, Gospel	Fiddle, Mandolin, Guitar	Stanley Bro., Hank Williams, Jr.	Nov. 7, 1933	Jan 3, 2008	Grant, AL
Derryberry, Kevin	Rock	Keyboards, Vocals	Telluride			Selma, AL
Devine, Ott	Country	Administrative	Grand Ole Opry	April 1, 1910		Gadsden, AL
Dial, Harry	Jazz	Drums, Vocals, Producer	Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller	Feb. 17, 1907	Jan. 25, 1987	Birmingham, AL
Dick's Hat Band	Blues	Group					Birmingham, AL
Achiever	Style	Instrument	Worked With	Date of Birth	Date of Death	Place of Birth	Home
Dickson, Robert	Jazz	Bass	Dizzy Gilespie, U of AL Jazz			Montgomery, AL
Diggs, Leon	Broadway	Vocals	Shuffle Along, Blackbirds			Montgomery, AL
Dillion, Michael	Pop, Country		Shooters
Dirty	Rap	Group	Universal Records				Montgomery, AL
Dixie Echoes	Gospel	Group	Dale Shellnut and Billy Todd				Flomaton, AL
Dixie Gentlemen	Bluegrass	Group					Muscle Shoals, AL
Dixon, Hollis	Rock, Pop	Vocals, Guitar	The Keynotes				Muscle Shoals, AL
Dodd, Laura	Country	Vocals				Gadsden, AL	Gadsden, AL
Donahoo, Shawn	New Age	synthesizer				Decatur, AL
Doss, Lance	Country, Folk	Guitar				Birmingham, AL
Dosses	Gospel	Group	Jerry & Jacky				Tuscaloosa, AL
Dover, Eric	Rock	Vocals, Guitar	Slash's Snakepit	1966		Jasper, AL
Achiever	Style	Instrument	Worked With	Date of Birth	Date of Death	Place of Birth	Home
Dower, Arthur	Gospel	Vocals		1965		Selma, AL
Doyle, Arthur	Jazz	Saxophone	Free Style Jazz, Sun Ra			Birmingham, AL
Draine, Verlon	Gospel	Baritone Vocals				Dekalb County, AL	Scottsboro, AL
Drake, Earl A.	Country	Guitar, Banjo	Clyde McCoy, Curly Fox	June 19, 1909		Foley, AL
Draper, Buddy		Administrative	MSMA President	June 7, 1918	April 15, 2002	Nashville, TN	Sheffield, AL
Dreyer, Mark	Country	Guitar	Black Creek	1965		Gadsden, AL
Drifters	R&B, Pop	Group					Wetupka, AL
Drive-By Truckers	Rock	Group	Hood, Cooley, Malone				Muscle Shoals, AL
Driver, Wilson	Jazz	Drums	Fess Whatley & Jazz Demons			Birmingham, AL
Duchaine, Kent	Blues	Guitar, Vocals	Johnny Shines	April26, 19??		MN	Birmingham, AL
Achiever	Style	Instrument	Worked With	Date of Birth	Date of Death	Place of Birth	Home
Duke, Mike	Rock	Keyboards, Vocals	Wet Willie	Oct. 18, 1948		Mobile, AL
Dukes, Steve	Country	Songwriter				Bay Minette, AL
Duncan, Joe	R&B	Vocals	Vocaleers	1931		Birmingham, AL
Dunham, Son	Gospel	Vocals	aka Charles Alf,Dunham Jubile	1890	1955	Selma, AL
Dunnavant, Bob	Country	DJ, Announcer	Floyd Tillman, Ernest Tubb				Huntsville, AL
Dunson, Johnnie Mae	Blues	Drums, Vocals, Songwriter	Jimmy Reed	Mar. 9, 1921		Bessemer, AL
Duskin, Joe Big	Blues	Vocals, Piano		Feb. 10, 1921		Birmingham, AL

If you have information about any of these music achievers
or know of someone who needs to be included in the listing, please let us know:
Send mail to Info@alamhof.org
For Music Achiever Application: Achiever Form

Alabama's Music Achievers

D MUSIC ACHIEVERS

If you have information about any of these music achievers or know of someone who needs to be included in the listing, please let us know: Send mail to Info@alamhof.org For Music Achiever Application: Achiever Form

D

MUSIC ACHIEVERS

If you have information about any of these music achievers
or know of someone who needs to be included in the listing, please let us know:
Send mail to Info@alamhof.org
For Music Achiever Application: Achiever Form