Otto Bash (10 May 1926 – May 2010) was a Nashville based drummer singer and songwriter.
Otto Edward Bash followed in his band-leading father’s footsteps, and neither of them wore cowboy boots. Born in Nashville, Otto watched his drummer dad lead The Dixie Streamliners (honky-tonk pianist Del Wood was a member) and picked up the sticks too, joining the local musicians’ union when he was 16 and playing traps with Bob ‘Hamp’ Young. After a wartime stint in the Navy, Bash studied at Peabody College and rejoined Young’s outfit.
Otto was in the studio with Gordy when Poppa John recorded for RCA, fronting his The Blue Sioux City Five in April of ’55, which led to Bash’s own Victor contract. His first session there as a leader in January of ‘56 sported more R&B content—a cover of Bobby Charles’ Later Alligator that was issued as his first RCA offering but quickly rendered moot by Bill Haley and His Comets’ smash version.
Bash returned to the studio that June to wax his own jumping Later and a clever The Elvis Blues, penned by Cy Coben. He dug into the ancient Cab Calloway strutter St. James Infirmary on November 3, 1956 with a stellar aggregation in tow: Chet Atkins on guitar, bassist Bob Moore, pianist Owen Bradley, saxist Dutch McMillin, and Buddy Harman on drums. The Dixieland influence shone through despite all that top-drawer country talent in one room. The jumping opposite side All I Can Do Is Cry was written by ‘Louisiana Hayride’ veteran Wayne Walker, who had cut it himself a few months before for ABC-Paramount.
After one more RCA platter pairing You’re Cool To Me Baby and Ready For Love, Bash wrapped up his esoteric recording career, continuing his Dixieland drumming activities around Music City into the ‘70s. He later worked for the local musicians’ union chasing down errant members until his 1997 retirement. Bash died on 25 May 2010 at the age of 84.
(The
only information I could find is taken from Bear Family Records)