Elmo

  Dave "Elmo" Bailey

  Dave "Elmo" Bailey is the epitome of the well-traveled bluesman. After fronting Elmo and the Deadbeats in his hometown of Manhattan, Elmo went to Texas where he worked with Chuck Rainey and Sumter Bruton of the Juke Jumpers. His career really took off when he spent five years in Chicago singing with "anybody who's everybody." It was there that he met his mentor, Barkin' Bill Smith and his close friend Felix Reyes. Elmo has also appeared twice on stage with the incomparable Les Paul.
  
  The last two years have found Elmo back in Manhattan singing with various area blues bands and musicians and booking acts for the Cox Bros. BBQ Jazz & Blues Series.