King Of The Covers

 I've often said, perhaps even on one of these blogs, that the amount of hidden talent that lives in the hills and "hollers" of Appalachia is mind boggling. There are people in the hills and "hollers" that are as good or even better than anyone you will find on the world's grandest stages.

A couple of nights ago I was helping the Menifee County, Kentucky Tourism department locate a song from decades ago. In my search I discovered an artist of whom I'd never heard, but he had moderate success in the music industry. And he was from Menifee County (Frenchburg), Kentucky.   His name: Delbert Barker.  

Delbert Barker in the 1950's.

Delbert was born December 3, 1932, in Frenchburg, a son of the late Alvin & Sarah (Langworthy) Barker.  In 1943 he moved with his parents to Middletown, Ohio, where at the age of 14, he took part in a talent competition hosted by a local dance school. 

With a regional win in this competition, Delbert received a show on a local television station.

In 1951, WCPO-TV accepted Delbert as a member of its midday Barn Dance Show, Mid-Day Merry-Go Round.  Record label owner and producer Carl Burckhardt saw Barker during one of these shows and signed him to his Gateway record label. Burckhardt and his labels specialized in releasing cheaper cover versions of current hits. Over the next five years, Barker recorded numerous versions of country hits.  He was considered the "man with the five voices," as he was primarily responsible for the repertoire of Hank Williams, Carl Smith, Hank Thompson, Faron Young, and Lefty Frizzell.  He also covered hits by Jim Reeves, Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Bill Carlisle.

Delbert's band consisted of his cousin Ralph Barker on guitar, Bill Thomas on fiddle, Bill Apple on bass, Bob McCoy on steel guitar and sometimes a drummer and pianist.

Burkhardts' pressing plant often used poor material, so the quality of the records was often poor, in contrast to the good musical quality of the recordings by Barker and his band.

Burkhardt's marketing strategy was to focus on the song and not the artist, so many of his artists, including Delbert, did not receive the recognition they deserved, despite the excellent recordings.

In 1954 Barker released a single "Building Castles / Yearning In My Heart" after being noticed by Ben Garnett. However the song only received an average rating from Billboard.

In 1955 and 1956, Barker recorded numerous rockabilly songs including Johnny Cash's hit "So Doggone Lonesome", Carl Perkins' "Blue Suede Shoes" and Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel."

"King Of The Covers" album cover

In June of 1956, Delbert moved from Gateway Records to King Records. Louis Innis, manager for King Records, heard Delbert's version of "Blue Suede Shoes" and was so impressed that he offered Delbert a contract.  Barker accepted and held his first session for King on June 19, 1956. Four rockabilly songs were recorded. "No Good-Robinhood / That's A Sin" were released as singles. The record received very little marketing and therefore received very little success.

In November 1956, Delbert recorded his second session with King Records. That session produced two country singles. But they too received very little success. thus, allowing King to expire the contract and not renew it.

After the King Records failure, Delbert moved to New Jersey where he worked for some time as a backing musician for country stars such as Justin Tubb, Jimmy Dean, George Morgan, the Warren Brothers, Jimmie Skinner, and others. He had enough work, but the money was not enough for he and his family to survive.

Delbert moved back to Middletown, Ohio in 1959 where he went to work as a police officer.  In his 26-year law enforcement career, he rose through the ranks to become Lieutenant.

In 1966 he tried the music industry again -- again with King Records. He recorded the single "It Can't Last Long / Color Me Gone" which received little public attention. In 1981 Delbert was finally able to achieve success as a songwriter when Charley Pride took the song "You Almost Slipped My Mind" all the way to number one on the charts.

Delbert continued to be involved in the music industry until old age. He owned a small recording studio and label (Center Records). He performed as a guitarist and a singer. He was a member of the Delbert Barker Gospel Trio. And he was inducted to the Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame.

In his lengthy musical career, he recorded over 100 songs.  And he had his beginnings in rural Frenchburg, Kentucky.