|
 Born
Homer Alvan Rodeheaver on October 4, 1880, the singer
made a name for himself by recording sacred songs and
recitations. Recording from 1913 to 1942, Rodeheaver
was not the first artist to specialize in sacred songs,
but became the most prominent in the early recording
industry.
Rodeheaver joined renowned evangelist Billy Sunday
in 1909 as the vocal soloist for Sunday's traveling
services. According to an Edison cylinder slip from
1914,
As the choruses Mr. Rodeheaver leads generally
number from 1200 to 2000 voices, his work is no light
task. As a soloist Mr. Rodeheaver probably sings to
more people than any man living, for at these meetings
there are from ten to fifteen thousand people every
night in the week.
Though he worked with Sunday until 1929, Rodeheaver
pursued a recording career. "De Brewer's Big Hosses,"
coupled with "Old Fashioned Faith," was the
first song Rodeheaver recorded for Victor in 1913. Though
much of his recorded output consisted of hymns, Billy
Sunday was influential in the prohibition movement and
many of Rodeheaver's recordings were anti-drinking anthems.
Have a listen to this—it may surprise you! |
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