B. F. Shelton Born:  July 4, 1900 Died:  February 28, 1963

About The Artist Benjamin Frank Shelton was a barber who operated a tonsorial parlor in downtown Corbin, Kentucky. He originally hailed from Clay County. Shelton came from a family of old-time musicians and singers. While his recordings used only his banjo to accompany his singing, he also displayed skills on harmonica and guitar. Shelton did his four-song session at Bristol, Tennessee on July 29, 1927. Along with the more recorded Buell Kazee, his efforts are often used as examples of the best in Eastern Kentucky mountain banjo stylings. One of his two releases is among the few 12-inch 78 rpm discs by a country musician in the 1920s. Under the name Frank Shelton, he also cut a pair of numbers — "Someone Else May Be There" and "Why Have You Left Me Lonely" — for Columbia in 1928, neither of which were released. 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.

Printer Friendly Version

Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)   Victor Rec. No. Side Song Title   35838 A Pretty Polly (Note - 12 inch 78 rpm)   35838 B Darling Cora (Note - 12 inch 78 rpm)   VI40107 A Cold Penitentiary Blues   VI40107 B Oh Molly Dear