Born on Sept. 23, 1933 Dewel Bullington, a first generation bluegrass pioneer played with The McCormick Brothers for 50 years. He died Jan. 9, 2012 from bacterial infections he caught at a Nashville hospital, where he had gone for a routine physical procedure. He was 78.
The Tennessee group, started recording bluegrass instrumentals for Hickory Records in 1954.
Like many artists of the day, The McCormicks did some experimenting with other types of music to increase record sales and personal appearances.
They cut a few rockabilly sides, but are known primarily for the fairly straight bluegrass recordings alternating between harmony vocals and purely instrumental workouts.
Their biggest seller was their first single for Hickory in 1954, “Red Hen Boogie,” – a Louvin Brothers creation.
In their heyday, the McCormick Brothers were a force to be reckoned with. Their songs were topnotch, but many folks focused on their instrumentals featuring the brilliant banjo work of brother Haskell.
Bullington along with the other McCormick Brothers band members were inaugurated into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in Owensboro, Ky.
The McCormick Brothers, circa 1957
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