Anyhoo, on to my inaugural choices for inclusion in what I like to refer to as The Mega-Awesome Music Hall of Really Good Music and Music Related People...
First and foremost I nominate a man that I could probably dedicate an entire blog to. The first real, pure musicologist. Alan Lomax.
I firmly stand behind the belief that, without Alan lomax and his tireless efforts, music as we know it would not exist. He was the jumping off point for what was to come. He was the first to record Leadbelly, he worked with and introduced a large amount of people to artists such as Woody Guthrie, Django Reinhardt, Jelly Roll Morton, Jo Stafford, Pete Seeger, Burl Ives, Muddy Waters, Son House...the list is ginormous. His efforts spanned generations and he was already well known by the 50's.
He influenced everyone from Bob Dylan to Brian Eno. He was involved in the Voyager Music Project. He was to write books, give speeches, hold parties...And it all stemmed from his early work as an oral and musical folklorist and historian.
He was against the commercialisation of music preferring it be the music of the people. And he had the foresight to include music from around the world rather than staying in the U.S.
Alan lomax is a personal hero of mine and any Music Hall would be remiss in not including him at some point.
My second nominee is Hank Williams.
Hank was already successful by 1950. As a matter of fact in 1949 he had no fewer than 5 "top ten" hits, a feat he repeated in 1950. He was a songwriting machine that also had a knack for popularising tried and true songs from the heartlands of America.
You would face a daunting task to find any major artist that didn't find some sort of inspiration in Hank. His legacy lives on and his influence can be heard and felt resonating through speakers no matter what genre you may prefer. His catalog has been covered by everyone from The The to the Screaming Blue Messiahs to Neko Case to the Replacements to the Mekons to Giant Sand to the Residents to Mike Ness...need I go on?
Lovesick Blues
Long Gone Lonesome Blues
You're Gonna Change Or I'm Gonna Leave
Moanin' the Blues
Why Don't You Love Me
Third nominee is Woody Guthrie
Woody Guthrie, the original punk. He travelled continually, he shared his music with all, and he was passionate about the topics he sang about. He had an appreciation for others, such as Leadbelly, that in no way infringed upon his humility. He recorded and wrote some of the most time tested tunes that even school children can sing by heart.
Troubador.
Hobo.
Historian.
Vagabond.
In short, Woody is the lasting legacy of the music by the people, for the people. I don't feel there is any need to try and justify his nomination...
Pretty Boy Floyd
Do Re Mi
Jesus Christ
Philadelphia Lawyer
So Long It's been good To Know You
Number four is a man I had the pleasure to see perform live and meet in an intimate bluegrass festival setting Bill Monroe
Bill Monroe was, for all intents and purposes, the inventor of Bluegrass. He was also, for all intents and purposes, a punk musician. He played fast and furious with a passion that could be felt through his songs.
He was already successful and famous by 1950, just hitting the first breakout of his long and storied career in the mid 40's. His band was a virtual super group before the notion of such a thing existed, comprised of some of the pioneers and paragons of the genre for which they laid the foundation. Flatt & Scruggs alone could provide the fodder for any debate which dared argue against the fabled Bluegrass Boys.
He was a nice man with a willing and easy demeanor, readily discussing the musical history of his beloved genre with a teenager. I'll never forget my 25 birthday for the fact that he died the next day. His death by far eclipsed any joy I may have harbored for my quarter century celebration.
Molly and Tenbrooks
My Little Georgia Rose
Prisoner's Song
Goodbye Old Pal
Bluegrass Ramble
My final nominee is Lead Belly
For me, Lead Belly was a no brainer. He was, in my opinion, a far better musician than Robert Johnson (absolutely no slight to UC here. I can easily agree with your points...) simply because I think that Johnson was eclipsed by his myth.
Lead Belly was the real deal. He didn't need to make a deal with the Devil because, at some point, he probably shared a cell with him. Lead Belly was a true story in and of himself. Any man that can literally sing his way out of a Texas prison must harbor some of his own mojo.
The pairing of Lead Belly with Woody Guthrie was a like a dream come true. These two deities together were to heavily influence my own musical journey and aim me in directions that often diverged and overlapped at the same time. For Lead Belly, I am eternally thankful...which just goes to show how frikkin' cool Alan Lomax was...
Rock Island Line
Yellow Gal
Grey Goose
Ham n Eggs
