Vernon Dalhart (born Marion Tubb; April 6, 1883 – September 15, 1948) was an American singer and songwriter who is considered one of the seminal figures of country music. He is best known for his recordings of "The Wreck of the Old '97" and "Birmingham Jail".
Born in Jefferson, Texas, Dalhart began his career as a professional singer in 1911. He recorded for a number of different labels, including Victor, Columbia, and Brunswick. His first major hit was "The Wreck of the Old '97", which he recorded in 1924. The song was a huge success, selling over 5 million copies.
Dalhart continued to record throughout the 1920s and 1930s. He released over 200 songs, many of which were hits. In addition to his recordings, Dalhart also toured extensively. He performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.
Dalhart died in 1948 at the age of 65. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961.