Elton Britt
Born James Britt Baker on
June 17, 1913
in Searcy County, AR
Died
June 23, 1972
in McConnellsburg, PA
Elton Britt was a country music singer and songwriter whose recordings included the World War II-era patriotic hit "There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere." Britt, born James Britt Baker in Arkansas, hit it big when Los Angeles-based radio station studio manager Glenn Rice organized a search party of sorts in the Arkansas mountains to find an authentic country musician to join a group called the Beverly Hill Billies. Britt was 15 when he arrived in L.A. to join the Hill Billies. The Times reported on Aug. 14, 1930: "The boy arrived in overalls and hickory shirt, sans shoes, but wearing a peaked cap. The youth was open-eyed with wonder as the tri-motored plane landed at the airport in the glare of arc lights and the applause of a large audience." After achieving initial success on the radio with the Hill Billies, Britt moved to New York City. He recorded a number of hits and was known for his yodeling ability and musical similarities to another country star, Jimmie Rodgers. |
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Two thoughts about Elton Britt
I seem to remember hearing somewhere along the way that he wrote/sang a song about a disabled man writing to FDR to get a waver to serve in the armed services during WWII. On the other hand it may have been a real life experience.
Your thoughts??
Thanks,
Jim
Elton Britt is at the top of the list among the greatest people I ever met; not just as an entertainer but as a human being. He's buried in my family section at Broad Top City, Huntingdon County, PA.
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