Lonnie Marvin Glosson was the seventh of eleven children born to Cora and George Glosson, who moved to Judsonia, White County, Arkansas from North Carolina. Lonnie was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1908. The family “was dirt poor.” Interestingly, He was named “Marvin” for his mother’s brother, but quickly learned to despise him for spanking him when he was little. “There was a black man and his wife living about a half mile from us, so Mama sent me down there to borrow some lard and flour, which they gave me. I don’t remember their last name, but the man was named Elonzo and I liked him. So, I changed my name from Lonnie Marvin to Lonnie Elonzo Glosson.”

Lonnie’s mother, Cora, taught him to play the harmonica as a child and must have done a fantastic job. Lonnie Glosson is acclaimed to be this country’s greatest harmonica player ever. He also was a very talented guitarist.

Lonnie began his professional career when he made his radio debut on KMOX in St. Louis, Missouri in 1926. By 1930, he was a member of the WLS Chicago’s National Barn Dance. After a few years, he moved to WWVA Wheeling West Virginia’s World’s Original Jamboree and stayed there until moving on to WHAS in Louisville, Kentucky. There he worked with Molly O’Day before moving on to star on the Refro Valley Barn Dance, working with the Lilly Brothers and Fiddling Burk Barbour. He rejoined O’Day in Knoxville, Tennessee right after World War II.

In 1948, Glosson began a long association with fellow harmonica play, Wayne Raney, which resulted in the country chart-topper “Why Don’t You Haul Off And Love Me.” They also teamed up to sell harmonicas and tuition books over radio programs across the country. I has been estimated that, from the late 40s through to the mid-50s, several million harmonicas were sold through this radio advertising.

After 1956, Glosson confined his performing to special shows in schools all over the south and Midwest, incorporating warnings of the dangers of drink and drugs. He did this noble work well into the 80s.

Lonnie continued to record and perform until his death, March 2, 2001.

Dusty Owens
TCM Radio News