Biography
Ernest V. ‘Pop’ Stoneman, born 25 May 1893 inside a log cabin near Monarat in Carroll County, Virginia, USA, and deceased 14 June 1968 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, founded the Stoneman Family. He acquired proficiency on guitar, autoharp, banjo and harmonica while demonstrating an aptitude for absorbing material rapidly from either live performance or early songbooks. Employment in cotton mills, coalmines and carpentry took him through multiple locations in the region. While employed as a carpenter in Bluefield, West Virginia, he encountered the initial releases of fellow Virginian Henry Whitter. Finding Whitter’s vocals unconvincing, Stoneman concluded, as did others, that superior results were achievable. He journeyed to New York and, supplying autoharp and harmonica accompaniment himself, auditioned for Columbia Records and OKeh Records. Columbia declined interest, yet OKeh captured his debut sides in September 1924, among them the million-seller “The Sinking Of The Titanic.” That release ranked among the decade’s major successes and later received versions from numerous artists, Roy Acuff included. Strong sales prompted additional sessions; one featured noted Virginian fiddler Emmett Lundy, while others paired him with his fiddle-playing wife Hattie Stoneman (b. 1900, d. 22 July 1976, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, USA). In 1926 he cut sides for RCA-Victor Records alongside his initial ensemble the Dixie Mountaineers and subsequently with the Blue Ridge Cornshuckers. Over ensuing years further recordings appeared on assorted labels, occasionally under pseudonyms including Slim Harris, Ernest Johnson, Uncle Ben Hawkins and Jim Seaney. During July 1927 he participated in the celebrated Bristol, Tennessee sessions at which Ralph Peer also documented the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. The Depression halted his recording between 1929 and 1933, yet between 1925 and 1934 he still amassed more than 200 songs. Certain dates involved additional musicians such as banjoist cousin George Stoneman, fiddlers Alex ‘Uncle Eck’ Dunford and Kahle Brewer; on his final pre-World War II date in 1934 he was joined by eldest son Eddie (b. 30 June 1920, Galax, Virginia, USA, d. 14 September 2001, Tennessee, USA), who contributed banjo and occasional vocals. Despite income from discs, financial instability prompted a 1931 relocation to Washington DC, where he took carpentry work at a naval gun factory to sustain his household—he and Hattie ultimately raised 23 children. Several offspring learned instruments in youth; after the war, as he slowly resumed performing, the band comprised his wife together with their own children.
A successful 1956 television quiz-show appearance prompted career revival. In 1957 he, Hattie and five children returned to the studio for Folkways Records. Blending contemporary country and bluegrass selections with longstanding old-time and folk repertoire, the Stoneman Family developed into a sought-after touring unit. They performed on the Grand Ole Opry in 1962 and even appeared at Fillmore West in San Francisco, America’s inaugural psychedelic ballroom. Relocating to California in 1964, they entered the west-coast folk circuit and performed at the Monterey Folk Festival. Network television slots during the 1960s included the Jimmy Dean TV Variety Show; between 1966 and 1968 the group hosted its own series. Membership at that juncture comprised Pop on autoharp and guitar, Scotty (b. Calvin Scott Stoneman, 1933, d. 4 March 1973; fiddle), Van Haden (b. 1941, d. 3 June 1995; guitar), Donna (b. Donna Laverne Stoneman, 7 February 1934, Alexandria, Virginia, USA; mandolin), Roni (b. Veronica Loretta Stoneman, 5 May 1938, Washington, DC, USA; banjo) and Jimmy (b. 8 March 1937, Washington, DC, USA, d. 22 September 2002, Smyrna, Tennessee, USA; bass). Five minor hits emerged on MGM Records in the late 1960s; subsequent releases appeared on Starday and RCA. The Country Music Association named the Stoneman Family Vocal Group Of The Year in 1967. Ernest Stoneman completed his final recordings on 11 April 1968 and performed with the ensemble nearly until his passing. He was likely the earliest artist to record with autoharp and remains noted among players for executing melody lines rather than mere chords—the customary approach even for the instrument’s inventor—an approach audible on selections such as “Stoney’s Waltz.” He stands as the sole country musician documented on both Edison cylinders and modern stereo albums, and he ranked as the foremost exponent of string-band music in Virginia’s Galax vicinity.
Following ‘Pop’ Stoneman’s death, daughter Patti (b. 27 May 1925, Galax, Virginia, USA; autoharp) abandoned her solo work to unite with Donna, Roni, Van and Jimmy; continuing as the Stoneman Family, they perpetuated his repertoire across the USA and Europe. Scotty Stoneman, who also performed with the Blue Grass Champs and the Kentucky Colonels, captured numerous fiddle contests, including the national event on multiple occasions, and at his 1973 death was regarded among the world’s premier bluegrass fiddlers. Hattie Stoneman, whose first recordings dated to 1925, died in hospital at age 75. Donna later departed to focus on gospel music, while Roni became a featured performer on the television series Hee Haw. Patti, Jimmy and Van sustained activity as the Stoneman Family. Another sibling, John (b. 20 August 1923, Galax, Virginia, USA, d. 19 April 2001, Jonesville, Virginia, USA; autoharp), participated in the original family unit before later taking up farming. Twin brothers Gene (b. 1930, USA, d. 15 August 2005, Maryland, USA) and Dean (b. 1931) performed for a period in Maryland as the Stoneman Brothers until Dean established his Vintage Bluegrass band. Several family members reconvened in 1981 for a special album. Dean Stoneman succumbed to a lung ailment in Lanham, Maryland, on 28 February 1989.
A successful 1956 television quiz-show appearance prompted career revival. In 1957 he, Hattie and five children returned to the studio for Folkways Records. Blending contemporary country and bluegrass selections with longstanding old-time and folk repertoire, the Stoneman Family developed into a sought-after touring unit. They performed on the Grand Ole Opry in 1962 and even appeared at Fillmore West in San Francisco, America’s inaugural psychedelic ballroom. Relocating to California in 1964, they entered the west-coast folk circuit and performed at the Monterey Folk Festival. Network television slots during the 1960s included the Jimmy Dean TV Variety Show; between 1966 and 1968 the group hosted its own series. Membership at that juncture comprised Pop on autoharp and guitar, Scotty (b. Calvin Scott Stoneman, 1933, d. 4 March 1973; fiddle), Van Haden (b. 1941, d. 3 June 1995; guitar), Donna (b. Donna Laverne Stoneman, 7 February 1934, Alexandria, Virginia, USA; mandolin), Roni (b. Veronica Loretta Stoneman, 5 May 1938, Washington, DC, USA; banjo) and Jimmy (b. 8 March 1937, Washington, DC, USA, d. 22 September 2002, Smyrna, Tennessee, USA; bass). Five minor hits emerged on MGM Records in the late 1960s; subsequent releases appeared on Starday and RCA. The Country Music Association named the Stoneman Family Vocal Group Of The Year in 1967. Ernest Stoneman completed his final recordings on 11 April 1968 and performed with the ensemble nearly until his passing. He was likely the earliest artist to record with autoharp and remains noted among players for executing melody lines rather than mere chords—the customary approach even for the instrument’s inventor—an approach audible on selections such as “Stoney’s Waltz.” He stands as the sole country musician documented on both Edison cylinders and modern stereo albums, and he ranked as the foremost exponent of string-band music in Virginia’s Galax vicinity.
Following ‘Pop’ Stoneman’s death, daughter Patti (b. 27 May 1925, Galax, Virginia, USA; autoharp) abandoned her solo work to unite with Donna, Roni, Van and Jimmy; continuing as the Stoneman Family, they perpetuated his repertoire across the USA and Europe. Scotty Stoneman, who also performed with the Blue Grass Champs and the Kentucky Colonels, captured numerous fiddle contests, including the national event on multiple occasions, and at his 1973 death was regarded among the world’s premier bluegrass fiddlers. Hattie Stoneman, whose first recordings dated to 1925, died in hospital at age 75. Donna later departed to focus on gospel music, while Roni became a featured performer on the television series Hee Haw. Patti, Jimmy and Van sustained activity as the Stoneman Family. Another sibling, John (b. 20 August 1923, Galax, Virginia, USA, d. 19 April 2001, Jonesville, Virginia, USA; autoharp), participated in the original family unit before later taking up farming. Twin brothers Gene (b. 1930, USA, d. 15 August 2005, Maryland, USA) and Dean (b. 1931) performed for a period in Maryland as the Stoneman Brothers until Dean established his Vintage Bluegrass band. Several family members reconvened in 1981 for a special album. Dean Stoneman succumbed to a lung ailment in Lanham, Maryland, on 28 February 1989.
Albums
