The First Country Record Is Still Amazing

Plethora of Pop Debut Challenge

“Sallie Johnson” and “Billy in the Low Ground,” a 1924 record by Eck Robertson (Library of Congress)

Most historians consider the 78 rpm made in 1922 by fiddler A. C. (Eck) Robertson (one side by himself and the other a duet with fellow fiddler Henry Gilliland) as the first recorded country music. Robertson’s solo performance of “Sally Gooden” (already a traditional tune) exhibits such energetic virtuosity that it has set a standard for…