Tennessee Ramblers (Tennessee band)

The band was one of the most popular performing groups in East Tennessee during the 1920s through the 1940s, gaining initial fame as a backing band in fiddle contests held at Market Hall in Knoxville, Tennessee, and later performing at fairs and other gatherings around the eastern United States.

[1] Willie Sievers' guitar solos recorded with the band in 1928 and 1929 are among the first by a female lead guitarist in Country music.

William's grandfather and mother had been fiddle players, and his children later recalled that most everyone in the family played an instrument of some sort.

Willie initially took piano lessons, but quit after her instructor told her she would only learn an instrument by "playing it by ear."

They appeared on numerous radio stations, including WNOK in Knoxville, WLW in Cincinnati, and WFJC in Akron.

[1] The session also produced "Preacher Got Drunk and Laid His Bible Down," which, as the chorus suggests, is based on the 1909 Robert Hoffman song, "I'm Alabama Bound.

"[2] In August 1929, Brunswick began the first of a series of large-scale recording sessions at the St. James Hotel in Knoxville.