Biography
Born on 2 February 1900 in Gainesville, Georgia, Rufus handled piano and vocals until his death on 31 January 1946, while his younger brother Ben, born on 23 June 1907 in the same town, supplied vocals. The pair appeared in assorted lineups yet concentrated their efforts inside the Blue Harmony Boys, an ensemble that periodically welcomed extra singers or players, among them guitarist James McCrary. What set the group apart was the vocalists’ sweet, close-harmony treatment of blues and kindred material. Their debut recording session in 1929 took place without Ben, although he took part in the sessions held over the next two years. At the time the brothers enjoyed local fame as Atlanta performers and held a regular slot on one of the city’s radio stations. While the sides they cut projected a goodtime spirit, Rufus also earned notice for writing religious songs.