Ernest Thompson | |
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| Birth name | Ernest Errott Thompson |
| Born | February 20, 1892 Clemmons, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | December 7, 1961 (aged 69) Greensboro, North Carolina |
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| Years active | 1915–1950s |
Ernest Errott Thompson (February 20, 1892 – December 7, 1961) was a blind street musician from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, who was one of the earliest country musicians to be recorded in the United States.[1][2] In his sessions with Columbia Records in 1924, Thompson recorded many songs that today are considered among the most iconic from country music's early history, including "Are You from Dixie?", "Old-Time Religion", "Bury Me Beneath the Willow", "Wreck of the Southern Old 97", "Life's Railway to Heaven" and "Little Rosewood Casket".[3][4][5][6][1]
Blinded as the result of a work-related accident in his late teens, Thompson spent most of his life as a street musician, singing to his own accompaniment on guitar and harmonica.[7] In 1924, he was discovered by a Columbia A&R (Artist & Repertoire) representative who signed him to a recording contract.[6][1] Thompson traveled to New York City for three recording sessions that year and returned in 1930 for two more sessions.[2] However, sales of his records proved disappointing, and Columbia cancelled his contract. After a couple sessions with another label, Thompson's recording career ended, and he returned to his life as an itinerant musician, playing on the streets well into his fifties.[1]