Joseph Troyan

(1912 -2000) American musician (harmonica) and radio personality. Learned to play as a child and he also possessed a natural ability to imitate birds, animals and humans. In 1929, his mother relocated with her eight children to Cleveland, where Joe made his debut on local radio. He acquired his nickname of "Bashful" owing to a severe attack of stage fright early in his career. The audience thought his heavy swallowing and hiding behind the curtains was all part of the act and laughed so he decided to adopt it ever after. See Bashful Harmonica Joe & Pie Plant Pete and Bashful Harmonica Joe.