Licking Today

Daniel Decatur Emmett (1815–1904), born in Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, was a pioneering American composer and entertainer. Despite limited formal education, Emmett, a skilled fifer and drummer, joined a Cincinnati circus after military service and later co-founded the Virginia Minstrels in 1843. This troupe, associated with Emmett's hometown, is credited with being the first to "black up" an entire band, defining the true minstrel show. His notable composition, "Dixie," debuted in 1859, gaining immense popularity, especially in the South, though Emmett expressed surprise at its use as a Southern rallying call during the Civil War. After a successful career, Emmett retired to Mount Vernon in 1888, where he passed away at 88. His enduring legacy in Mount Vernon is commemorated by various local institutions named in his honor, emphasizing his significant contribution to American music and culture.