Lonnie Glosson

Lonnie Elonzo Glosson (born Lonnie Marvin Glosson February 14, 1908 – March 2, 2001) was an American country musician, songwriter, and radio personality who was responsible for popularizing the harmonica on a national level. Glosson is known for his versatility as a live performer, both as a soloist and a group member, and for a radio career spanning nearly seven decades.

Biography

Glosson was born the seventh child of George and Cora Glosson in Judsonia, Arkansas. He changed his middle name to Elonzo because he disliked his uncle he was named after. Originally working as a cotton picker, Glosson was taught the rudiments of the harmonica by his mother before beginning his professional musical career in 1925, on KMOX Radio, in St. Louis.^[1] Glosson traveled around the Midwest for performances in small-time venues before auditioning as a cast member for WLS Chicago's National Barn Dance in 1930, alongside many other musical acts, including Gene Autry, who attempted to persuade Glosson to pursue an acting career with him, in Hollywood. Instead, Glosson remained in Chicago to join the WJJD Suppertime Frolic programming.^[2] He managed to become a popular local attraction for his ability to include unusually harmonic riffs and sounds in his stage act.^{[citation needed]}

Glosson did eventually go to Hollywood to accept an opening as a radio host in 1934, but returned to the Midwest by the end of the year. In 1936, while being a featured performer on