Artist: Russell Wise & Mr. White
Author: Russell Wise/White
Label: Library Of Congress
Year: 1936
Fiddler and guitarist from Madison, Florida. Archive Of Folk Culture recording, reissued on cd Railroad Songs And Ballads (Rounder).
Covers:
Roy Hall's String Band [as Orange Blossom Special, release prevented at the time by 'author' Ervin Rouse; see also: Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On]
Rouse Brothers [idem; seven months later on Bluebird; much more exciting, with Ervin Rouse, but still owes a thing or two to the original]
Bill Monroe [idem]
Fiddlin' Arthur Smith [in film Lonesome Trail]
Johnny Cash [vocal version, n°3 C&W]
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band [with Vassar Clements]
Hot Club Of Cowtown [all as Orange Blossom Special]
Bluegrass fiddler Russell 'Chubby' Wise, friend of the Rouse Brothers from Jacksonville, FL, claims coauthorship for the Orange Blossom Special. He was right there when the real O.B.S. first appeared at the Jacksonville railway station. The Orange Blossom Special was the very first streamline train, running the Miami-New York line. Wise did not compose the tune and even Ervin Rouse had it hard to claim his rights. His manager secured it under his own name. While no one bothered to ask Russell Wise & Mr. White's opinion.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)