Frank Walker, head of Columbia Records' hillbilly recording division, conducted recording sessions in Johnson City in 1928 and 1929 as part of his pioneering remote recording work, which sought talent in the southeastern mountains rather than bringing musicians to large northern cities. On Saturday, October 13, 1928, he held auditions at the John Sevier Hotel in Johnson City, and the following week he conducted recording sessions in makeshift studios at the Marshall Brothers Lumber Company on 334 East Main Street. Popular recordings from the 1928 sessions included Roll on Buddy by Charlie Bowman and his brothers and Johnson City Blues by Clarence Greene, and Clarence Ashley's Coo Coo Bird was recorded in October 1929. Walker also was instrumental in the careers of Bessie Smith and Hank Williams.