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Portraits from our Past:
FAMOUS MUSICIANS
Southwest Virginia Music
DOCK BOGGS
(Music: 1920's - 1960's)
Moran Lee
"Dock" Boggs
was born near Norton in Wise County, Virginia. He
began playing banjo at the age of twelve, about the
time he started working in the coal mines, only
performing professionally on-and-off in the late
1920's and after he retired. Dock Boggs had a
distinctive banjo style and a raw, powerful singing
voice. In 1927, Brunswick Records of New York held
local auditions of mountain musicians. Only Dock
Boggs and one other group impressed the talent
scouts enough to be invited to be recorded. Boggs
recorded eight numbers including blues and ballads.
In 1929, he cut four songs for The Lonesome Ace
Record Company. He also offered an audition with RCA
Victor, but could not gather up the funds to make
the trip to Louisville, Kentucky. With the deepening
depression and poor record distribution, Boggs gave
up music until after his retirement. Folk musician
Mike Seeger persuaded Dock to record again in 1963.
He appeared at Folk Festivals throughout the 60's
and is credited with heavily influencing the music
of Bob Dylan.
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