[1] Harrell was also a songwriter, most notably penning "Away Out on the Mountain," which was recorded by Jimmie Rodgers in 1927, and "The Story of the Mighty Mississippi," which was covered by Ernest Stoneman, also in 1927.

[2][1][3] Harrell was born in Draper's Valley, Wythe County, Virginia and from his early teens worked in various textile mills.

[7] "The Dying Hobo" (1926) is a variant of the traditional English folk song "George Collins".

[8] "My Name Is John Johannah" was recorded in 1927 at RCA Victor's studios in Camden, NJ, with Posey Rorer on fiddle, Alfred Steagal on guitar and R.D.

"[10] After 1929, his recording career came to a halt, owing to his inability to play an instrument — Harrell always required backing by other musicians, and the Great Depression had so damaged the recording business that Victor was unwilling to pay the cost of hiring backup musicians.