ArtistInfo

The Hill Billies

Band,
Country
A.k.a. Al Hopkins And His Buckle Busters Los Alegres (2)

Folk / Appalachian / Hill Billy band that formed in a Galax, Virginia barbershop in 1924 by Tony Alderman, Al Hopkins and Joe Hopkins. They stopped performing after the death of Al Hopkins in 1932. The band had many 'firsts' including: - First country musicians to perform in New York City; - First band to play for a US President (Calvin Coolidge); and - First band to appear in a movie (The Singing Fool - Al Jolson In The Singing Fool). Original band line-up is regarded as: Al Hopkins (Piano, Vocals) Joe Hopkins (Guitar) John Hopkins (13) (Banjo, Ukulele) Tony Alderman (Fiddle) John Rector (5 String Banjo) Charlie Bowman (Fiddle) Other players: Elbert Bowman (Guitar) Jack Reedy (Banjo) Fred Roe Henry Roe The band name morphed into others over the years including: Al Hopkins And His Buckle Busters Al Hopkins’ Original Hill Billies (starting 21-Jan-1929)

Members

	Charlie Bowman vn, bj US
	Al Hopkins p, voc US
	John Rector bj US
	Tony Alderman vn US
	John Hopkins uke US
	Jack Reedy US
	Elbert Bowman US
	Joe Hopkins g
	Elmer Hopkins h