Dr. Humphrey Bate

This old-time string band was led by one of the great country harmonica players, who also happened to be a physician and a graduate of Nashville's Vanderbilt University. His group was known as the Augmented Orchestra when it arrived for what would be the historic first ever broadcast for the Grand Ole Opry, but disc jockey, promoter, and host George Hay insisted the group change its name to the Possum Hunters in one of his typical attempts to establish "hick" personalities for his performers. The good Dr. Bate was told to dress in overalls when he played his harmonica, and his...