The Skillet Lickers were one of the most fantastic and talented hillbilly string bands of the 20s; playing with a much more civilized style than say Prince Albert Hunt’s Texas Ramblers. Originally formed to back up some kind of comedian (or some such) they quickly outgrew all that noise and began cutting their own sides which garnered them enough fame to become a household name in both the north and south despite the occasional blatantly racist track. The fact that they were beginning to incorporate blues and hillbilly styles with their own take on jazz and pop in the 20s, plus their inventive arrangements went along way to cement their status as “influential” as early as the 30s. Their rendition of “John Henry” is one of the best you’ll find performed by white folks.

John Henry - The Skillet Lickers