George Riley Puckett (7 May 1894 - 14 July 1946) was a country music pioneer, born in Alpharetta, Georgia, USA. An accident during infancy left him blind. He sang and played guitar and banjo. He was first heard on the radio as a part of Clayton McMichen's Hometown Band; he was also a member of Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers. ...show more

George Riley Puckett (7 May 1894 - 14 July 1946) was a country music pioneer, born in Alpharetta, Georgia, USA. An accident during infancy left him blind. He sang and played guitar and banjo. He was first heard on the radio as a part of Clayton McMichen's Hometown Band; he was also a member of Gid Tanner and the Skillet Lickers.

Puckett's most famous songs were 'Ragged but Right' and 'Darky's Wail'. His dynamic single-string guitar playing, featuring dramatic bass runs, earned for him an enviable reputation as an instrumentalist. Many aspiring guitarists who followed him have studied and copied his style. Although he was an accomplished musician on several instruments, his singing was most responsible for establishing him as an important figure in the history of country music.. ...show less