Ernest Stoneman
| Pop Stoneman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ernest Van Stoneman |
| Also known as | Pop |
| Born | May 25, 1893 |
| Origin | Monarat, Virginia, US |
| Died | June 14, 1968 (aged 75) |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Country artist |
| Instruments | Guitar, autoharp, harmonica |
| Years active | 1920s–1960s |
| Notable instruments | |
| Guitar, autoharp, harmonica | |
Ernest Van "Pop" Stoneman (May 25, 1893 – June 14, 1968) was an American musician ranked among the prominent recording artists of country music's first commercial decade.
Born in a log cabin in Monarat (Iron Ridge), Carroll County, Virginia, near what would later become Galax, Stoneman was left motherless at age three and was raised by his father and three musically inclined cousins, who taught him the instrumental and vocal traditions of Blue Ridge mountain culture. He became a singer and songwriter, and proficient musician on the guitar, autoharp, harmonica, clawhammer banjo, and jaw harp.
When he married Hattie Frost in November 1918, he entered another musically involved family. He and Hattie had 23 children, 13 of whom survived to adulthood: Eddie Lewis (deceased 2001), Irma Grace (deceased 2003), John Catron (deceased 2001), Pattie Inez "Patsy" (deceased 2015), Joseph William (Billy) (deceased 1990), Jack Monroe (deceased 1992), Gene Austin (deceased 2005), Dean Clark (deceased 1989), Calvin Scott (deceased 1973), Donna LaVerne, Oscar James (deceased 2002), Veronica Loretta (Roni), Van Haden (deceased 1995).
Stoneman worked at a variety of jobs, in mines, mills, but mostly carpentry, and played music for his own enjoyment and that of his neighbors, but when he heard a Henry Whitter record in 1924, he determined to better it and changed his life as well. Stoneman went to New York City in September 1924 and cut two songs for the Okeh Records label. The record was shelved and he had to return for another recording session in January 1925. Ralph Peer directed him through several sessions for Okeh and Victor, and he freelanced on other labels such as Edison, Gennett and Paramount Records. In 1926, he added family musicians to his group for a full string band sound.
In July and August 1927, Stoneman helped Peer conduct the legendary Bristol sessions that led to the discovery of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. He continued to be active in recording through 1929. Between 1925 and 1929 Stoneman recorded more than 200 songs.
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