Billy Barton A.K.A. Johnny Grimes & Hillbilly Barton

This compilation, released in 2017 by the British Archive of Country Music (B.A.C.M.), serves as a dedicated retrospective for the work of Billy Barton and his occasional collaborator Johnny Grimes. B.A.C.M. is a long-standing label known for its archival mission, focusing on rescuing obscure country, hillbilly, and western swing recordings from the mid-20th century that have largely fallen out of print or were never issued on digital formats. By aggregating these 78 RPM-era sides, the collection provides a vital window into the regional American music scenes of the 1940s and 1950s.

The disc features a collection of tracks reflecting the transition from traditional string band sounds to the more polished, honky-tonk aesthetic that began to dominate the era. The selection highlights Barton’s versatility and his penchant for the storytelling traditions inherent in country music, alongside the instrumental contributions of figures like Johnny Grimes. Because these recordings were originally intended for local radio or limited regional distribution, the production quality maintains an authentic, raw aesthetic that captures the improvisational spirit of the post-war hillbilly circuit.