Southern Moonlight Entertainers

About The Group The Southern Moonlight Entertainers was a name for a Vocalion recording group that one might suspect from the name might be a pop vocal group or a small orchestra. But in reality, under ordinary circumstances, it was a fiddle band better known as the Rainey Family. It was led by George Rainey. Members included: George Rainey, well known fiddler from Coal Creek, TN (B: October 9, 1883 — D: March 1, 1967) Albert Rainey, guitar (B: November 2, 1904 — D: December 2, 1979) Willie Rainey, banjo (B: March 5, 1908 — April 1, 1986) Marvin Rainey, mandolin (B: August 24, 1914 — April 15, 1950) Luke Luallen, fiddle (B: May 15, 1908 — D: March 4, 1976) Compared to many early day recording artists, the Raineys were a relatively experienced and polished group having already played numerous dances in their locale. In fact, the Raineys already had a recording background as well as being part of Warren Caplinger's Cumberland Mountain Entertainers. At which time George, Albert, and Willie journeyed to Ashland, Kentucky in February 1928 and cut several numbers for Brunswick and Vocalion. At their 1929 session they recorded eight numbers and had two more releases from their 1930 session. According to Albert and Willie, their father was a natural musician who taught all of his children to play. At times the Rainey Family band would go out on tours, sometimes make a little money, and other times made scarcely enough to get back home. Marvin died at a relatively young age in a car crash, but Albert and Willie lived long enough to be interviewed by Charles K. Wolfe about their family's experiences as country music pioneers. Credits & Sources Hillbilly-Music.com would like to express its thanks to Ivan M. Tribe, author of Mountaineer Jamboree — Country Music in West Virginia and other books that can be found on Amazon.com and numerous articles in other publications for providing us with information about this artist. Read More About The Group Printer Friendly Version Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)   Vocalion Rec. No. Side Song Title   5372 A My Blue Ridge Mountain Queen   5372 B Are You Happy or Lonesome   5388 A Dreams Waltz   5388 B My Carolina Girl   5407 A Sister Liz   5407 B Kickin? Mule   5440 A How to Make Love   5440 B Then I?ll Move to Town   5460 A My Cabin Home   5460 B Lost John