In October 1928, Frank Walker of Columbia Records hosted recording auditions at 334 East Main Street in Johnson City. Charlie Bowman and his brothers, Clarence Greene, and the Roane County Ramblers were among the artists recorded. These sessions pioneered the art of remote recording, designed to record undiscovered talent in the area. Walker returned to Johnson City in October 1929 for a second round of recordings that included Clarence "Tom” Ashley.