Bob Dunn

Robert Lee Dunn (February 5, 1908 – May 27, 1971) was a pioneer Western swing steel guitarist. Influenced by influential Hawaiian lap steel guitar player Sol Hoʻopiʻi, Dunn played in his own original bluesy style and was one of the first to record an electric guitar, preceding other country & western guitarists following him shortly. He preceded by over three years George Barnes (with Big Bill Broonzy in 1938), Leonard Ware and, slightly later, Eddie Durham.

On January 27, 1935, Dunn became one of the first musicians to record an electrically amplified instrument as a member of Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies.

Dunn also played steel guitar in numerous other Western swing groups including those of Cliff Bruner and one of Moon Mullican's earlier bands. Dunn also had his own group, The Vagabonds, featuring Mullican and Cliff Bruner.

Dunn was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1992.

Birth and Death Data: Born February 5, 1908 (Braggs), Died May 27, 1971 (Houston)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1935 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: steel guitar, electric steel guitar, electric guitar, vocalist, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 176-200 of 294 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 66340 10-in. 8/30/1939 Alice from Dallas Buddy Jones instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66341 10-in. 8/30/1939 Rockin' rollin' Mama Buddy Jones instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66342 10-in. 8/30/1939 You'll miss me some sweet day Buddy Jones instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66343 10-in. 8/30/1939 Settle down blues Buddy Jones instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66344 10-in. 8/30/1939 I'm in the doghouse now No.2 Buddy Jones instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66345 10-in. 8/30/1939 She's got the best in town Buddy Jones instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66346 10-in. 8/30/1939 I wish I'd never met you Buddy Jones instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66347 10-in. 8/30/1939 Action speaks louder than words Buddy Jones instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66348 10-in. 8/30/1939 I think I'll turn your damper down Buddy Jones instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66349 10-in. 9/1/1939 Star dust Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66350 10-in. 9/1/1939 The other way Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66351 10-in. 9/1/1939 Peggy Lou (Instrumental) Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66352 10-in. 9/1/1939 Singin' the low down blues down low Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66353 10-in. 9/1/1939 It's all over now Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66354 10-in. 9/1/1939 Tell me little girl, tell me why Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66355 10-in. 9/1/1939 The girl that you loved long ago Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66356 10-in. 9/1/1939 Little white lies Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66357 10-in. 9/1/1939 Kelly swing Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66358 10-in. 9/1/1939 San Antonio rose Cliff Bruner and his Boys instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66380 10-in. 9/3/1939 Lay your hand in mine The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66381 10-in. 9/3/1939 Old age pension blues The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66382 10-in. 9/3/1939 My grandfather's clock The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66383 10-in. 9/3/1939 Don't leave me all alone The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66384 10-in. 9/4/1939 Dig me a grave in Missouri The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
Decca 66385 10-in. 9/4/1939 Silver dollar The Shelton Brothers instrumentalist, steel guitar  
(Results 176-200 of 294 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Dunn, Bob," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/113144.

Dunn, Bob. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/113144.

"Dunn, Bob." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/113144

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