Arkansas Woodchopper, or Arkie (b. Luther Ossenbrink, March 2, 1906 - June 23, 1981) was an American country musician.
He was born in the Ozarks near Knob Noster, Missouri, to a family who owned a farm and a general store. He taught himself to play guitar and fiddle so he could play at local square dances, and his first job in music was performing on radio in Kansas City on KMBC in 1928. He started at WLS in 1930, performing on their National Barn Dance, and became one of the show's most popular performers, continuing there until 1959. During this time he also released records for Columbia Records and Conqueror Records. Book of sheet music 'THE ARKANSAS WOODCHOPPER'S WORLD'S GREATEST COLLECTION OF COWBOY SONGS WITH YODEL ARRANGEMENT' copyright 1931 published by M.M. Cole Publishing House, Chicago contains 35 songs, 64 pages. He once performed with Al Trace's orchestra with the song "Why Go Home?" and although his recordings for Columbia, Gennett Records, American Record Corporation, Okeh Records sold well, he never established himself as a major musician.
Discography Cat. No.TitleDateNotesChampion45058I'm In the Jailhouse Now / Frankie and Johnny192945192Old and Only In the Way / Little Green Valley1930Columbia15463DThe Dying Cowboy / The Cowboy's Dream192820444Arkansas Traveller / Mississippi Sawyer1941Also on Okeh 0629620445Sallie Goodwin / Soldier’s Joy1941Also on Okeh 0629720446Walking Up Town / Waggoner1941Also on Okeh 0629820447My Love Is But A Lassie / Lightfoot Bill 1941Also on Okeh 06299Conqueror7879Mrs. Murphy’s Chowder / Frankie and Albert1931Frankie and Albert originally by Charley Patton7880Sweet Sunny South / If I Could Only Blot Out The Past1931Sweet Sunny South originally by Charlie Poole7881Just Plain Folks / What Is Home Without Love?19317882The Last Great Roundup / Cowboy Jack1931The Last Great Roundup originally by Cliff Carlisle7883I'm A Texas Cowboy / The Bronco That Wouldn’t Bust19317884When It’s Harvest Time, My Sweet Angeline / Little Green Valley19317885Old Pal / Daddy and Home19317886Mary Dow / Little Blossom19317887Little Ah-Sid / Dollar Down And A Dollar A Week With Chicken Pie1931
References
External links Arkansas Woodchopper at Hillbilly-Music.com