Bluebird's Echo

This bio and song is in honor of our Great Uncle Reece Fleming; Reece Fleming was active primarily in the 1930s and 1940s, a pivotal time when "old-time" music was transitioning into the honky-tonk and Western swing styles you enjoy. He was best known for his collaboration with Respers Townsend. Together, they recorded a substantial number of tracks that blended traditional country sounds with "blues" structures, which was very popular in the Mid-South at the time. He recorded for major labels of the era, including Bluebird (a subsidiary of RCA Victor) and Decca. His discography includes dozens of songs that capture the spirit of the Depression-era South. Some of his notable titles include: "Cottonfield Blues" and "Old Coon Dog Blues" (showing the heavy blues influence). "Sweet Daddy From Tennessee" "I’m Gonna Quit Drinking When I Die" "Mama, What Makes You That Way?" "Mama, What Makes You That Way?" In the late 1940s, he led a band called Reece Fleming’s Tennesseeans. They were a staple in the Memphis music scene, frequently performing at the Gem Theater. Interestingly, his band served as a launching pad for other musicians; for instance, Malcolm Yelvington (who later recorded for the legendary Sun Records) played in Reece’s band before starting his own career. While many of those early 78rpm records are rare today, his work is still cited by music historians as part of the foundation of the "Memphis Sound" that eventually led to the birth of rockabilly and modern country.