The Folk World of Jimmie Rodgers (1963-1965) as Himself - Host
My Cousin Vinny (1992) as Soundtrack
Short Info
Date Of Birth
September 8, 1897
Died
May 26, 1933, New York City, New York, United States
Spouse
Mary Biggerstaff, Trudy Buck, Colleen McClatchey
Fact
Has 14 gold records including four gold albums.
Jimmie Rodgers (born September 8, 1897 in Meridian, Mississippi; died May 26, 1933 in New York City) was an American country singer and songwriter. In the 1920s and early 1930s, he became the first nationally popular “singing cowboy” and was also known as “The Blue Yodeler” and “The Father of Country Music”. His musical style was influenced by African-American blues, Appalachian folk, and cowboy songs. He was also a pioneer of the recording industry, making the first recordings of many now-classic songs.
Rodgers was born to a poor family in Meridian, Mississippi. His father was a railroad worker and his mother was a housewife. He had seven brothers and sisters. Rodgers began working in the railroad yards when he was just a boy. He learned to play the guitar and banjo from other workers. In 1918, he was drafted into the Army and served in France during World War I.
After the war, Rodgers returned to Meridian and worked as a brakeman for the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad. He also began performing in local clubs and bars. In 1927, he made his first recordings for the Victor Talking Machine Company in Camden, New Jersey. These recordings, which included “Blue Yodel” and “T for Texas”, were very successful and made Rodgers a national star.
In 1929, Rodgers moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he became a regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry radio show. He continued to make hit records, including “In the Jailhouse Now” and “Waiting for a Train”. Rodgers became very popular with both country music fans and mainstream America. He appeared in several movies and even had his own radio show.
Tragically, Rodgers died of tuberculosis in 1933 at the age of 35. He left behind a wife and two young children. His death marked the end of an era in country music. Rodgers was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961.
General Info
Date Of Birth
September 8, 1897
Died
May 26, 1933, New York City, New York, United States
Place Of Birth
Meridian, Mississippi, United States
Profession
Singer-songwriter
Nationality
American
Family
Spouse
Mary Biggerstaff, Trudy Buck, Colleen McClatchey
Parents
Eliza Rodgers, Aaron Rodgers
Accomplishments
Awards
Grammy Hall of Fame
Nominations
Academy of Country Music Awards Career Achievement Award
His first wife, Colleen, died of a blood clot in 1967.
2
His daughter, Katrine, was born in 1989.
3
Has five children: Michael and Michelle from his first marriage; sons Casey and Logan from his second; daughter Katrine from his third.
4
14 of his singles made Billboard magazine's "Top 40" hits of the year: 1957 (#1) Honeycomb 1957 (#3) Kisses Sweeter Than Wine 1958 (#3) Secretly 1958 (#7) Oh-Oh, I'm Falling In Love Again 1958 (#10) Are You Really Mine 1958 (#11) Bimbombey 1958 (#16) Make Me A Miracle 1959 (#32) Ring-A-Ling-A-Lario 1959 (#32) Tucumcari 1959 (#36) I'm Never Gonna Tell 1959 (#40) Wonderful You 1960 (#24) T.L.C. (Tender Love and Care) 1966 (#37) It's Over 1967 (#31) Child of Clay
5
Has 14 gold records including four gold albums.
6
In 1967 he was stopped by an off-duty Los Angeles police officer, and in an incident marred by conflicting reports (he said he was attacked and beaten by the police, they said he was drunk and fell down) he sustained severe injuries to his head that left him with brain and nerve damage. He sued the City of Los Angeles and, despite their claims of innocence, they settled out of court for $200,000.
7
Stories abound about why the tragic 1967 "accident" happened. One theory is that Jimmie was in the midst of a lawsuit with his former record company, Roulette Records, over past payments. Supposedly the company was run by the Mafia and Jimmie was being pressured to drop the suit. When he didn't, they staged the incident.
8
Also a talented composer, he wrote the songs "It's Over" and "Honeycomb."
9
Despite his disability, he later formed a music publishing company, dabbled in real estate, remodeled houses and took up skydiving. He also sang at his own theater for a time in Branson, Missouri.
Movies
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Real McCoys
1962-1963
TV Series singer - 34 episodes
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Country's Greatest Stars Live: Vol. 1
2010
Video writer: "Muleskinner Blues Blue Yodel #8"
Elvis Presley: Love Me Tender
2006
Video writer: "It's Over"
Kupetzky
2006
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Elvis by the Presleys
2005
TV Movie documentary writer: "It's Over"
The Iron Giant
1999
performer: "Honeycomb"
Tohuwabohu
1998
TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Beatles Anthology
1995
TV Mini-Series documentary performer: "T for Texas" / writer: "T for Texas"