The Lonesome Ace

This was a regional U.S. label produced between 1929-30 by The New York Recording Laboratories for William E. Meyer of Richlands, Virginia. Labels carry the slogan "Without a Yodel" because Meyer disliked the yodeling style popularized by Jimmie Rodgers. Meyer's original intent was to release blues records by the likes of Blind Joe Taggart and Mississippi John Hurt. When his efforts proved unsuccessful, he turned to country music and commissioned masters from The New York Recording Laboratories. In late 1929, two sides by Emry Arthur and four by Dock Boggs (accompanied by Arthur) were produced. These sides constitute the total known output on the Lonesome Ace label. Records were pressed in lots of 500 each and marketed locally in southwestern Virginia. All issues are extremely rare today.