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July 9, 1923: Singer Molly O'Day Born in Pike County KY

Molly O'Day and the New Cumberland Mountain Folks
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Singer Molly O’Day was born in Pike County, Kentucky, on July 9, 1923. She played guitar and sang, while accompanied by her brothers “Skeets” and “Duke” Williamson.

Singer Molly O'Day

Credit E-WV / WV Humanities Council
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WV Humanities Council
While just a teenager, Molly played with Skeets on radio stations in Charleston, Williamson, Beckley, and Bluefield, where she met bandleader “Lynn” Davis.

While just a teenager, Molly played with Skeets on radio stations in Charleston, Williamson, Beckley, and Bluefield, where she met bandleader “Lynn” Davis. After getting married, O’Day and Davis moved frequently. Although they performed duets, it was Molly’s solo numbers that made her one of the pioneer female singers in country music. She signed with Columbia Records in 1946 and cut 36 recordings.

In 1950, Molly and Lynn gave up show business. After which, Molly sang only in churches, and Lynn became a minister. In 1973, they started a gospel radio program in Huntington. Here’s a clip of Molly singing the show’s theme song, “Living the Right Life Now”:

Molly died in 1987 at age 64, but Lynn continued the show until his own death in 2000.

TWWVH_Jul09_2019.mp3