Georgia Mae Harp (1921–2014), often known professionally by the stage name of just Georgia Mae, was a New England Country & Western musician and singer of the mid 20th century.
Early life
editGeorgia Mae Kingsbury was born on April 2, 1921, in Walpole, Massachusetts, the daughter of Edna and William Kingsbury, and was graduated from Walpole High School.[1] Her brother and father were barbershop quartet singers, and she and a cousin were inspired by the music of Patsy Montana to become yodeling cowgirls.[2]
Career
editGeorgia Mae began entertaining while in junior high school. While still a teen, she got a regular weekly slot on WROL (AM) (then WBSO), and also played (with the Blue Ridge Mountaineers) on WEEI (AM) (then WHDH). She moved to the 50,000 watt station WBZ (AM), where she had a 6:30 am daily show, the "New England Farm Hour" followed by "Georgia Mae and her Buckaroos".[3]
Later she had a weekly Saturday television show on WBZ-TV and was DJ for "Korn's a-Krackin" on WRKO (AM) (then WLAW). She also toured throughout New England and parts of Canada, playing her iconic customized white Vega guitar,[2] demonstrating her virtuoso triple yodel,[clarification needed][3] and sporting her elaborate outfits made by "Rodeo Ben" Lichtenstein.[2] Although she played with backing musicians on radio and recordings, her live appearances were solo shows.[2] During World War II, Georgia Mae entertained at veteran's hospitals and at war bond drives.[4]
Personal life
editGeorgia Mae was married to Oscar Harp for 47 years; they had no children. She was a member and officer of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, and other organizations concerned with American history and genealogy. Georgia Mae Harp died on July 25, 2014, in South Carver, Massachusetts.[1]
Discography
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Georgia Mae Kingsbury Harp (obituary)". Delany Funeral Home. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Murphy, Clifford R. (2014). Yankee Twang: Country and Western Music in New England. University of Illinois Press. pp. 50–51. ISBN 9780252096617. Retrieved March 25, 2023. [better source needed]
- ^ a b "Music; Musician and singer". Keepers of Tradition (Folk Arts and Heritage Commission). Mass Cultural Council. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
- ^ "GEORGIA MAE HARP RPPC SIGNED COUNTRY WESTERN COWGIRL 1935 WHITE VEGA GUITAR WBZ". WorthPoint. Retrieved March 24, 2023. [better source needed]
- ^ "Georgia Mae* And The Buckaroos (4) – She Taught Me How To Yodel / Rocking Horse Cowboy". discogs. Retrieved March 24, 2023.