Charlie Poole Biography- 1925
Charlie Poole (March 22 1892- May 21 1931) who played the banjo and sang, was one of the early Country recording stars. His song, “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down” recorded on July 25, 1925 was one of the first big hits for Columbia Records. Every spring as a tribute, the Charlie Poole Festival is held in Eden North Carolina, where a sign has been erected saying, “Welcome to Eden: Home of Charlie Poole.”
The North Carolina Ramblers were extremely popular in the Southeast. According to Kinney Rorrer, Chalie Poole’s biographer: “When the word would come that Poole and the Ramblers were in the area nearly all activities would grind to a halt. Storekeepers would shut down for the rest of the day; farmers would leave their teams standing in the fields; and mothers would stop their housework and gather up the children and head for the place where Poole and his group were. They might be found at a store, a garage, a springhouse, or even a still. A hat was sometimes passed around but more often it was likely to be a bottle instead."
Charlie Poole used his banjo "as a loud front instrument instead of just providing a background sound" [Rorrer, p. 6]. He was a forerunner, through no choice of his own, of the Skruggs’ three-finger style. According to Rorrer: "His unique style of playing the banjo developed partly as a result of a childhood accident in which the fingers of his right hand were smashed. The accident left his fingers crooked so that they formed a natural picking position.” Though Poole used a three-finger style, it was more closely related to earlier minstrel banjo styles [also called “mountain” style as was used by Dock Boggs] than to the later bluegrass style. Poole fingered chords (rather than melody) with his left hand, while playing three-finger "rolls" or sequences with his right.
Charlie Poole epitomized the hard drinking, rambling and rowdy lifestyle portrayed by the songs of the early country musician. He recorded a scant five years before alcohol abuse took his life in 1931 much like it would Hank Williams’ life in 1953. Charlie Poole and his band, the North Carolina Ramblers (banjo, fiddle and guitar) were one of the first string bands in early country music to become popular. Poole’s image as a hard drinking rambler brought him fame- a fame that led to an early grave.
Poole’s Early Life
One of nine children, Charlie Poole was born March 22, 1892 in Randolph County, North Carolina to John and Betty Poole. Charlie’s mother died when he was young and his father remarried his wife’s sister, Betsy Ann. After 1900 the Poole clan moved to Haw River, a small textile town in Alamance County. The Poole’s worked in the Holt-Granite Cotton Mill and lived in house that they rented from the company.
By the time Charlie was eight, he had learned to play the banjo three-finger style (a simplified, yet similar version of Scruggs picking) from his older brother Leroy. Charlie had a rough and rowdy youth and fighting was part of it. To Charlie fighting was a game, like the sport of boxing, that young men proved their salt. Once he and his brother Henry were fighting in the street in Gibsonville and the police were called. “I’ll get you Charlie Poole,” yelled the chief-of-police, “as long as you stay on land.” Charlie yelled back as he turned and ran, “Boys, I’m a-hittin’ water!”
When he was a teen, Poole played baseball, picked on the banjo and worked in the mill. In 1912 at the age of 19 he married. Poole’s wanderlust (he would disappear with his banjo for weeks at a time) and drinking destroyed his marriage and after only 10 months he was divorced. Sometimes he would end up in jail after a night of drinking and fighting and his travels with his banjo took him as far as Canada.
In 1918 Poole moved to Spray, NC (now Eden) where he would live out the remainder of his short life. Charlie and his playing partner fiddler Posey Rorer worked making moonshine for two prominent bootleggers in the county. With his earnings, Charlie bought a new banjo. He married Posey’s sister Lou Emma in 1920 and continued working in the mills.
One of the local musicians who Charlie played with was banjoist John “Red” Patterson, who also later made records. [Red Patterson’s Peidmont Log Rollers on Victor- 1927]. Other local musicians were guitarist Tyler Meeks, who taught Charlie “Don’t Let Your deal Go Down” and the Woodlieff brothers, Will and Norman. Both brothers played guitar; Will played with Charlie and Posey around 1918 and his brother Norman played with them around 1922 when Will married and stopped performing regularly.
The police raided Charlie and Posey’s moonshine still and a fight ensued. Charlie had powder burns and his front teeth chipped by a bullet but managed to fight of the police and escaped with Posey in cousin Walter Massey’s car. After things settled down Poole turned himself in and later stood trial. The judge asked him if he couldn’t use a good lawyer. “No,” replied Poole., “but I could use some good witnesses.” Poole was fined $100 (about $1,800 today) which his new wife generously paid.
Forms the North Carolina Ramblers with Posey Rorer- 1923
Around 1923 he and Posey formed the North Carolina Ramblers with guitarist Clarence Foust. According to interviews done with Foust, the group went to NYC in 1924 to record with Okeh. Just as Whitter and Stoneman’s first recordings the Okeh sides were never released and apparently lost or the session was treated like an audition. Norman Woodlieff soon replaced Foust on guitar and the new trio planned to try recording again.
In 1925 the Ramblers quit their mill jobs and went to NYC to make records. They stayed in NJ and worked, waiting for their chance to record. A month later Poole arranged an audition with Columbia’s A & R man Frank Walker. After a few bars Walker stopped the audition and said he would record them.
First Record
On July 27, 1925 the Ramblers cut four sides; ‘The Girl I Left In Sunny Tenessee; I’m the Man That Rode The Mule ‘Round the World,” “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down,” and “Can I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister?” They were paid $75, which they spilt three ways. The Ramblers went back to Eden, NC and in September Columbia released “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down Blues” with “Can I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister?” on the flip side.
At the time a good selling record was 5,000 units. “The Deal” sold 102,000 records, making it a smash hit for Columbia and at that time their best selling record. The second release “I’m the Man That Rode The Mule ‘Round the World” backed by “Girl I left In Sunny Tennessee” sold over 60,000. The records generated interest in the Country Music Market and were soon covered by many artists including Victor Dalhart and Dock Walsh. Frank Walker began sending telegrams to Poole trying to get him back in the studio. Columbia did not pay any royalties and despite Walker’s repeated effort Poole stayed in NC and rambled through the mountains with his banjo.
On one occasion Charlie and Posey visited Leroy Poole, Charlie’s older brother. After they were at Leroy’s house fro fifteen minutes Charlie said he was going to a neighbor’s house and that “he would be right back.” It was nearly six weeks before he returned!
Rising Fame- Second Session
In 1925-26 The Ramblers made extensive tours into Virginia and West Virginia, playing larger shows with their rising fame. They met Roy Harvey in Bluefield, WV and Poole was impressed with his guitar playing. A year later he finally agreed to return to Columbia and record; this time he would get $200 a side plus expenses and royalties. Roy Harvey had replaced Norman Woodlief on guitar. They first recorded four instrumental dance tunes: Flying Clouds; Wild Horse; Forks of Sandy (Sandy River Belle) and Mountain Reel (Hop Light Ladies).
Poole’s voice was horse from a recent drinking binge. Frank Walker asked him what might improve his voice and Poole told him, “lemons and whiskey.” Walker sent an employee out to get a lemon and a pint of whiskey. Poole replied, “Make that a dozen lemons and a gallon of liquor!” Walker always kept moonshine on hand to help his performers get over the “nerves” of performing. Poole reportedly was so drunk at some sessions that he could “barely stand up.” No wonder many people have trouble understanding his garbled lyrics. At Roy Harvey’s last session for Columbia in 1931, a 50 gallon barrel of moonshine was brought into the hotel for the musicians and the recording director specifically told them to take a drink before recording.
The first release in fall of 1926 “White House Blues” backed by “Monkey On a String” was again a hit selling over 76,000 units. Columbia called Poole an “Exclusive Columbia Artist” in their catalogue and bragged: “Charlie Poole is unquestionably the best known banjo picker and singer in the Carolinas.” Records sales for the 14 songs released from the session were good but not exceptional and the Charlie Poole and His North Carolina Ramblers became established stars.
Success
Poole, who was now a professional musician, spent more time in Beckley, WV in the music store that Roy Harvey, the Ramblers manager, worked. Harvey and Posey Rorer also recorded for Columbia but most of the sides were never released and didn’t sell particularly well. On July 25, 1927 Charlie went back for this third session. He cut one of his hits, “If I Lose I Don’t Care” and all his vocal selections sold well. But now Charlie had competition on Columbia- Gid Tanner and His Skillet Lickers first release had out sold Poole big hit, “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down.” Charlie also recorded four “classical” country banjo solos, which didn’t sell in comparison to his vocals. These banjo solos can arguably be called a foreshadowing of “Skruggs” style banjo work- done almost 20 years before the birth of bluegrass in 1945.
Despite Poole’s drinking, he would not tolerate any unprofessional behavior by his bands. Charlie always had a bag of jokes or stories he told between tunes or if anyone broke a string. One highlight of his shows was his dancing; he could dance a buck-and-wing or a waltz clog. Charlie was very athletic and sometimes did cartwheels across the stage. Accordinf to Kenny Rorrer Charlie’s favorite stunt was running across the stage and leaping over a chair then landing on his hands and doing a clogging dance with them.
Posey Rorer Leaves The North Carolina Ramblers
In 1928 fiddler Poser Rorer spilt from the group and was replaced by Lonnie Austin, the fiddler for Barnes’ Blue Ridge Ramblers [H. M Barnes & His Blue Ridge Ramblers recorded for Brunswick in early 1929]. Poole was sent royalty checks from Columbia to give to Rorer. When Poole got the checks he went on a drinking spree and spent the money. Rorer confronted Poole who was too ashamed to admit guilt. Later Rorer checked with Columbia and found out the truth. They argued, then a bitter argument ensued with both men becoming enemies.
The 1928 Columbia sessions included two traditional songs; “Shootin’ Creek” Poole’s version of Cripple Creek, and “Hangman Slack the Rope,” a traditional Child ballad. Of that session “Shootin’ Creek” backed with “Ramblin’ Blues” was the best seller. After the session Lonnie Austin returned to H. M. Barnes group who early the next year cut some records.
Poole added fiddler Odell Smith to his line-up to replace Austin and in May 1929 headed back to the studio in New York. The trio had a moderate hit with “Bill Mason” backed by “He Rambled.” At the session in New York Poole also recorded with a five-piece band under aliases The Highlanders to avoid contract disputes with Columbia. They cut the instrumentals “Under the Double Eagle” and “Flop-eared Mule” as well as “Lynchburg Town.” While in New York they also did a skit for Brunswick “A Trip To New York” as the Allegheny Highlanders.
The Depression- Poole’s Last Years
When the depression hit on October 1929 Poole kept recording but his sales had drastically slipped. He recorded two sessions with Columbia in 1930 but sales of his last release dropped below 1,000 units. Poole’s drinking was becoming an ever-increasing problem. By 1931 his years of hard drinking caught up with him and at the age of 39, he died after an extended drinking spree.
The legend of Charlie Poole lives on; The 12th Annual Charlie Poole Music Festival was held this year at the Eden Fairgrounds, in NC. One of the highlights of my career was a concert I did in Eden with the Bluegrass Messengers that featured Doc Watson and Kinney’s brother Doug Rorrer, who helps with the Charlie Poole Festival- a major event!
Alphabetical Recordings by Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers:
Baby Rose; Baldheaded End of the Broom (Look Before You Leap); Baltimore Fire; Beale Street (Blues) (Ramblin' Blues); Bill Mason; Budded Roses; Come Take a Trip in My Airship (I Once Loved a Sailor); Coon From Tennessee; Cripple Creek (Shooting Creek); Didn't He Ramble (He Rambled); Dixie; Don't Let Your Deal Go Down, Fallen by the Wayside (Falling by the Wayside); Flop Eared Mule; Flyin’ Clouds; Forks of (the) Sandy; Goodbye Booze (Good Bye Booze); Girl I Left in Sunny Tennesee; Goodbye Miss Liza Jane (Goodbye Liza Jane); Gypsy Girl (My Gypsy Girl); Hesitation Blues (If the River Was Whiskey); Highwayman; Honeysuckle; Hungry Hash House (Blues); Husband and Wife Were Angry One Night; If I Lose (Let Me Lose); I Took My Gal A-Walking; I Was Born About Ten Thousand Years Ago (I'm the Man that Rode the Mule Around the World); Jealous Mary; Katy Did (Waltz) (Kiss Waltz); Leaving Dear Old Ireland; Leaving Home; Letter That Never Came; Mary Dear (Goodbye Mary Dear); May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister? (Can I Sleep in Your Barn (Tonight); Milwaukee Blues; Miss McLeod's Reel (Mountain Reel); Monkey on a String; Mother's Farewell Kiss; Mother's Plea [for Her Son]; Moving Day (It's Movin'/Moving Day); My Old Kentucky Home (Good Night); My Wife Went Away and Left Me; Old and Only in the Way; Old Folks at Home; Only Girl I Ever Loved; Ragtime Annie; Southern Medley; Stoney Point (Wild Horse/Horses); Sweet Sixteen; Sweet Sunny South [Take Me Home]; Take A Drink on Me; Take Back the Engagement Ring (One Moonlight Night); There'll Come a Time; Turkey in the Straw; Unnamed Melody; Wayward Boy; What is a Home without Babies/Love?; Where the Whipoorwill is Whispering Goodnight; Wild Horse; White House Blues; Wreck of the Virginian No. 3; Write a Letter to My Mother; You Ain't Talkin' to Me; Young Boy Left his Home;
Charlie Poole (Banjo Solos): Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down Medley; Sunset March
(Charlie Poole with) The Highlanders; Allegheny Highlanders
Beale Street Blues (Tennessee Blues); Don't Let Your Deal Go Down; Flop Eared Mule; Kitty Waltz; Yodel, Charlie Poole and the Highlanders, 1927-29, Puritan 3002, LP (1971), cut # 5 [1929]
Lynchburg Town (Tune); May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister?, New River Train; No Room for a Tramp; Railroad Blues; Richmond Cotillion (Richmond Square); Sidewalks of New York; Sunset March; Thirty Days in Jail; Too Young to Marry; Trip to New York: On the Train; Trip to New York: The Audition; Trip to New York: In New York; Trip to New York: In the Studio; Turkey in the Straw; Under the Double Eagle [March];