Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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BAILES BROTHERS

Country-gospel group of late '40s-early '50s: Johnnie (b 24 June '18; d 21 Dec. '89), Kyle (b 7 May '15), Homer (b 8 May '22) and Walter Butler Bailes (b 17 Jan. '20), all from Charleston WV). Appalachian-based style with guitar, mandolin, dobro; vocally suggestive of Pentacostal Holiness. Began on local radio, moved to Grand Ole Opry, later to Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport LA. Recorded for Columbia, King. Wrote gospel, sentimental love songs some of which became classics of their kind: "Dust On The Bible', "Give Mother My Crown', "Oh So Many Years'. Former members of their band incl. Red Sovine, Little Jimmy Dickens, Shot Jackson, Molly O'Day, Jimmie Osborne; they were also a major infl. on Carl Butler. Johnnie worked in radio as disc jockey and station owner; Homer entered ministry and recorded gospel albums until mid-'80s; Walter formed Walter Bailes Singers and teamed with Kyle for European tour '82.