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Portraits from our Past:
FAMOUS MUSICIANS
Southwest Virginia Music
HARRY GAY AND STEVE TATAR
(Photo of Steve Tatar unavailable.)
(Music: 1920's -
1930's)
Harry Gay and Steve Tatar, both guitarists, lived in Scott County,
Virginia, in the 1920's and performed as a duo at functions on
both sides of the Virginia-Tennessee line. In 1928, they recorded
"Brownie Blues" in Bristol, Tennessee on the Victor
label with Gay on guitar and Tatar on vocals and lead guitar.
The duo were two of the few African-American musicians from Southwest
Virginia to record during the early days of the "race"
record industry. Music recorded by African-Americans was referred
as "race" records while music recorded by acts like
the Carter Family was referred to as "hillbilly" records.
The song "Brownie Blues" demonstrates the inclusion
of ragtime instrumental techniques in the blues tradition. The song lyrics are
a interesting commentary on society's attitudes toward skin color.
The record sold well locally, but it failed to bring the duo
widespread famE or wealth. Lesley
Riddle, an acquaintance of Gay and Tatar, points to this
as one reason he did not pursue a recording contract for himself
during this time.
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