People driven to the mass exodus from dust choked regions of America were forced to take only essential belongings that would fit into their Model A or Hudson Roadster. Among these migrant farmers were musicians who managed to squeeze in an old guitar or fiddle. And many were serious players, singers and songwriters. These were not professional performers or radio personalities but farmers who devoted spare time to music.
One such musician was Jack Bryant from Okomoggee, Oklahoma who spent five months on the road traveling to California. Along the way he wrote beautiful and powerful songs and played these with his wife and seven year old son, Donald and a brother, Jim. This song of his reflects disappointment in his circumstances while crossing the harsh desert and his homesickness.
He ended up, for a time, at the Firebaugh Camp in Southern California operated by the Farm Security Administration where he recorded seven songs.
This is performed here by Jack Bryant.
‘Arizona’ is a great song. Is there a photo available of Jack Bryant?