Biography
Successful and influential country music duo of the '30s. Karl (Karl Victor Davis, Mt. Vernon KY, 17 December 1905 - 29 May, 1979) and Harty (Hartford Connecticut Taylor, Mt. Vernon KY, 11 April 1905 - October 1963) grew up as childhood pals and in their teens formed the Kentucky Krazy Kats with Doc Hopkins. Appeared on local radio and toured as part of a semi-pro basketball team, playing music during intermission; moved on to WLS Chicago to join John Lair's Cumberland Ridge Runners. As a duo they had radio and record success with "I Dreamed I Searched Heaven For You' '34, "I'm Here To Get My Baby Out Of Jail, '36, "Kentucky' '38, the latter two a big influence on the Everly Brothers. Karl's lead singing and Harty's sweet tenor proved popular on WLS's Barn Dance to '37, then moved to WJJD's Suppertime Frolic. After the war their sentimental, down-home style was out of favour; retired in early '50s, Karl continuing songwriting, covered in later years by Hank Locklin, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.