This dobro is one of the most significant instruments in country music history. This is the dobro of the late "Bashful Brother" Oswald Kirby who was the great Roy Acuff's dobro player and tenor singer. A friend of mine, Mike Webb, purchased it from Oswald's widow and has kept the instrument as it was when Oswald played it...complete with strap. Oswald always said he thought it was made in '28 or '29, but Mike tells me that the serial # indicates that it was built in about 1935. The tailpiece and tuning machines were replaced by Shot Jackson at some point. Everything else is original.
Oswald was a fixture at the Grand Ole Opry for almost 50 years and this dobro was heard many times playing the "Washbash Cannonball" and "The Great Specked Bird".
Thanks to Mike for letting me share these great pics of a great instrument. |
