THE WRECK ON THE SOUTHERN OLD 97

Vernon Dalhart, tenor
with
Harmonica and Singing Chorus

Edison Diamond Disc 51361-R Year 1924

About: Vernon Dalhart

Turtle Talk:
The Old 97, a Southern Railway train enroute to Spencer, N.C., derailed at Stillhouse Trestle near Danville, Virginia, on September 27, 1903, killing 11. Train wrecks occurred relatively frequently at the time, and it was the ballad which sustained this accident's national fame. "The Wreck on the Southern Old 97" was initially recorded commercially by Virginia musicians G. B. Grayson and Henry Whitter. When it was released by light-opera singer Vernon Dalhart, it became the first million-selling record in the United States.

The original title "The Wreck on the Southern Old 97" was changed to "The Wreck of the Old 97" when Dalhart recorded it for Victor (Victor 19427-A).

Tech Tidbits:
"The Wreck on the Southern Old 97" was transferred using a 2.5 mil truncated elliptical stylus in a Stanton 500 stereo cartridge at 80 rpm on a United Audio Dual 1219 turntable. This transfer is noisy. It's posted because of it's historical significance and the popularity of the recording artist.

Return to the Jukebox

This page was updated on March 6, 2004
©2004 Turtle Services Limited