Willard Robison was born September 18, 1894 in Shelbina, Missouri. His family came down through the church and Robison broke that tradition, but keeping his religious values and love for small town America close and in his music. He formed his first band in 1917 called The Deep River Boys. While touring the southwest, he crossed paths with Paul Whiteman who signed him to a three year contract.

He would record extensively for Perfect Records during this time which fits the song you're listening to. This song is credited to the "Levee Loungers", a pseudonym used by multiple artists (including Sam Lanin's Orchestra) when recording for the Pathe, Perfect and for a time, Supertone labels like today's song. This is "Lovely Little Silhouette", originally composed by Vincent Rose and written by Sam Lewis and Joe Young with lyrics sung here by Stanley McClay. The recording took place December 17, 1927.

During this same time, Robison was also writing, composing and performing his songs, often accompanying himself on the piano in a rather eccentric stride style. Some argue he was paving a path as one of the first true one-stop-shop singer-songwriters. He also went by the pseudonym "Deep River Orchestra", which would often be more traditional arrangements of both popular and obscure songs of the era.

Of note, in 1926-1927, Robison recorded a series of eight jazz songs under the name of "American Suite". His songs were often described as having a rural, melancholy theme; a warmth. Some of his biggest hits like "Round My Old Deserted Farm", "Don't Smoke in Bed", "Taint So, Honey, 'Taint So", and "Old Folks" became standards even in their day, being covered by some of the biggest names in 40's and 50's pop and jazz artists like Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby and Mildred Bailey. His song "A Cottage for Sale" by itself was covered over 100 times!

By the 1930's, Willard was hosting "The Deep River Hour" on WOR radio in New York, running 3 times weekly. Although a very popular show, Robison felt that public demand was causing the show to become something he didn't want it to be and called it quits after a 7 year run.

As an aside, of all the mini-bio's I've done of artists of yesteryear, I've never finished one and wanted so badly to hear or find more records by an artist than our man Willard here. Truly an amazing accomplished musician, but just somehow largely forgotten about, and I'm so happy I can give his some credit and bring some of his music back into the light.