In those days, a physical handicap was a terribly limiting factor. The blind either begged or relied on their family’s benevolence, but those with some musical ability found a way to support themselves. Alfred was one of the lucky few who was able to scrape a living from playing at local dances, churches and on the streets of his hometown. He gave music lessons and sold copies of his lyrics for 10 cents each, doing all he could to provide for his wife and six children. 

He had moved to Hinton, WV before 1927 and was also a lay Methodist Minister. At this time an opportunity to engage in the new record business must have seemed too good to pass up. Arville, his son and usual accompanist, was off working on the railroad, so Alfred drafted another local musician, Arthur Wyrick, to drive him over the ridges to Bristol. He joined with the likes of Jimmy Rogers and The Carter Family in recording at the Bristol Sessions in 1927. After the 1930's he never recorded again but still worked in the local area and kept writting songs and made sure to renew his copyrights regularly. After his death, his family sold the rights.

In the 1960's interest was renewed in Alfred's songs and recordings.He was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2007.
 

Alfred married Nettie Sheard in 1903. Daughter Savannah was born in 1904, then sons Arville and Tessie, daughter Violet and sons Basil and Collins. Basil died young.Alfred is buried in Elgood, WV