DeFord Bailey 1899-1982

DeFord Bailey 1899-1982 is a Tennessee historical marker in Davidson County.

Davidson Co, Nashville, 12th Ave. 1899-1982 South & Edgehill Ave.

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Bailey, a pioneer of the Grand Old Opry and its first black musician, lived in the Edgehill neighborhood for nearly 60 years. His shoe-shine shop was on 12th Ave., South, near this intersection. His harmonica performance of the "Pan American Blues" inspired Judge George D. Hay to dub WSM's Barn Dance the "Grand Ole Opry." Traveling extensively with Opry musicians, he entertained audiences throughout the South and Midwest. In 1928, he recorded eight sides for RCA Victor during Nashville's first recording session.

TodayHistorical map

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USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection

Historical maps covering this location

1895 · Battle-field, Nashville, Tenn. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1901 · Nashville (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
1903 · Greenbrier, Tennessee (USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection)
1932 · Nashville, Tennessee (USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection)
1950 · Complete map of Nashville and suburbs (Historical map archives, georeferenced via Allmaps)

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Marker text and location from the Tennessee Historical Commission, as the Commission publishes them on its marker map.

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