Elton Britt
Elton Britt parlayed his Jimmie Rodgers imitation -- with a yodeling ability and range that surpassed Rodgers' -- into country's biggest hit of the World War II era, "There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere," which sold four million copies in the early '40s. He was born James Britt Baker in Zack, AR, on June 27, 1913, and began playing guitar and singing around his hometown while in his mid-teens. Baker's career was made in 1930 when the Beverly Hill Billies returned from California to their Arkansas home to recruit a new vocalist. He won the talent search, and after being renamed Elton Britt, spent three years performing and recording with the Hill Billies. Britt moved to New York in 1933, initially playing in a quartet named Pappy, Zeke, Ezra & Elton. He recorded later in the '30s, as a solo act and also with the Wenatchee Mountaineers, Zeke Manners' Gang, and the Rustic Rhythm Trio.
Britt began his period of fame in 1939, thanks to two circumstances: his signature on a contract for the discount label RCA Bluebird and -- most importantly -- his friendship with songwriter/producer Bob Miller. Miller wrote all of Elton Britt's greatest early hits, including "Chime Bells," "Rocky Mountain Lullaby," "Buddy Boy," "Driftwood on the River," and in 1942, "There's a Star Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere." The latter was adopted as a symbol of the war effort by patriotic audiences -- much as "Over There" had served World War I sympathizers. President Franklin Roosevelt even invited Britt -- billed as "the World's Highest Yodeler" -- to the White House in 1942 to perform the hit.
By the time the charts came into existence in 1944, though, Britt had peaked. He did hit the Country Top Ten 11 times during the last half of the '40s, but never topped the charts. "Someday" reached number two in 1946, and six other songs peaked in the Top Five, including the double-sided "Wave to Me, My Lady"/"Blueberry Lane," "Detour," "Gotta Get Together With My Gal," "Candy Kisses," and "Quicksilver." A re-recording of his early hit "Chime Bells" hit number six. Britt continued recording with RCA, eventually releasing over 50 albums until 1957, when he moved to ABC/Paramount. He made a brief bid for the presidency in 1960, and recorded the number 26 "Jimmie Rodgers Blues" eight years later, but retired soon after. He died on June 22, 1972.
© John Bush /TiVo
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Discography
19 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Presenting Elton Britt
Country - Released by Universal Digital Enterprises on Dec 3, 1955
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Yodelling Hillbilly Vol. 1
Country - Released by Orange Leisure on May 9, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Greatest Hits
Country - Released by Nifty Music, Inc. on Nov 4, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Yodelling Hillbilly Vol. 2
Country - Released by Orange Leisure on May 9, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sings Modern Country
Country - Released by Good Time Records on Jul 27, 1970
24-Bit 88.2 kHz - Stereo -
Release Me
Country - Released by Jukebox Entertainment on Apr 21, 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The RCA Years (1939-68)
Country - Released by RCA - Legacy on Jun 27, 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Essential
Country - Released by E. N Digital on Jun 19, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
I Heard a Forest Praying
Folk - Released by Vintage Masters Inc. on Nov 1, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Touch My Heart
Country - Released by Vanilla OMP on Feb 28, 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Country Gold
Country - Released by StarPointe Records on Oct 7, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Somethin' for Everyone
Country - Released by Rockabilly Records on Jun 29, 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Duet Country Classics
Country - Released by Nifty Music, Inc. on Oct 1, 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sings
Elton Britt, The Renfro Valley Pioneers
Country - Released by Mountain Dew Records on May 26, 2023
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Early Years 1933-1937 (Remastered Version) (Doxy Collection)
Country - Released by Doxy Records on Jun 10, 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Elton Britt & Friends Vol. 3 Early Recordings, 1933-1941 (Remastered Version) (Doxy Collection)
Country - Released by Doxy Records on Jun 10, 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo