Jimmie Rodgers

James Charles Rodgers ((1897-09-08)September 8, 1897 – (1933-05-26)May 26, 1933) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. Widely regarded as "the Father of Country Music", he is best known for his distinctive rhythmic yodeling. Rodgers was known as "The Singing Brakeman" and "America's Blue Yodeler". He has been cited as an inspiration by many artists, and he has been inducted into multiple halls of fame.

Originally from Meridian, Mississippi, Rodgers was the son of a railroad worker. During his early childhood, the family moved according to the needs of his father's employment, or Rodgers' own poor health. As a teenager, he was musically influenced by the diverse vaudeville shows that he often attended. At the age of 13, Rodgers won a local singing contest, and then traveled through the Southern United States with a medicine show. After his father took him back home to Meridian, Rodgers dropped out of school and joined the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, starting as a waterboy. He eventually became a brakeman, among performing other functions. During his time working with different railroad companies, the singer further developed his musical style; he was influenced by the gandy dancers and their impromptu blues performances. Rodgers was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1924. By 1927, he stopped working for the railroad as a result of his health and decided to focus on his music career.

In 1927, Rodgers joined the Tenneva Ramblers band, who at the time were working at a radio station. After the band was fired from their spot, they worked in different resorts in the Blue Ridge Mountains. There, Rodgers became aware of the field recordings that Victor Talking Machine Company's engineer Ralph Peer was to undertake in Bristol, Tennessee. During what later became known as the Bristol sessions, Rodgers recorded solo, as he was deserted by his band after a disagreement. A second session with Rodgers was later arranged in Camden, New Jersey, at the singer's own insistence; that session produced "Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)". The song became a success, propelling Rodgers to national fame and beginning his recording career with the label, during which he produced over 100 songs.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 8, 1897 (Meridian), Died May 26, 1933 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1921 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor vocal, songwriter, composer, guitar, lyricist, arranger, speaker, ukulele, author

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 180 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-39767 10-in. 8/4/1927 The soldier's sweetheart Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BVE-39768 10-in. 8/4/1927 Sleep, baby, sleep Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-40751 10-in. 11/30/1927 Ben Dewberry's final run Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-40752 10-in. 11/30/1927 Mother was a lady Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-40753 10-in. 11/30/1927 Blue yodel Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar composer, lyricist, vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-40754 10-in. 11/30/1927 Away out on the mountain Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-41736 10-in. 2/14/1928 Dear old sunny south by the sea Jimmie Rodgers ; The Three Southerners Male vocal solo, with steel guitar, guitar, mandolin, and ukulele vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, ukulele  
Victor BVE-41737 10-in. 2/14/1928 Treasures untold Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with ukulele and guitar vocalist, tenor vocal, songwriter  
Victor BVE-41738 10-in. 2/14/1928 The brakeman's blues Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with ukulele and guitar composer, lyricist, vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-41739 10-in. 2/14/1928 The sailor's plea Jimmie Rodgers ; The Three Southerners Male vocal solo, with 2 guitars and steel guitar vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BVE-41740 10-in. 2/15/1928 In the jailhouse now Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with banjo and guitar vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BVE-41741 10-in. 2/15/1928 Blue yodel no. II Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar and steel guitar composer, lyricist, vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-41742 10-in. 2/15/1928 Memphis yodel Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, tenor vocal, songwriter, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-41743 10-in. 2/15/1928 Blue yodel no. 3 Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BVE-45090 10-in. 6/12/1928 My old pal Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BVE-45091 10-in. 6/12/1928 Mississippi moon Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with instrumental accompaniment vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BVE-45093 10-in. 6/12/1928 My little old home town in New Orleans Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, songwriter, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-45094 10-in. 6/12/1928 You and my old guitar Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, songwriter, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-45095 10-in. 6/12/1928 Daddy and home Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BVE-45096 10-in. 6/12/1928 My little lady Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BVE-45097 10-in. 6/12/1928 I'm lonely and blue Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, songwriter, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-45098 10-in. 6/12/1928 Lullaby yodel Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, songwriter, instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BVE-45099 10-in. 6/12/1928 Never no mo' blues Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with guitar (self-accompaniment) vocalist, tenor vocal, instrumentalist, guitar, songwriter  
Victor BVE-45650 10-in. 6/21/1928 Blue yodel Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra Orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-47215 10-in. 10/20/1928 My Carolina sunshine girl Jimmie Rodgers Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist, tenor vocal, songwriter  
(Results 1-25 of 180 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Rodgers, Jimmie," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105649.

Rodgers, Jimmie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105649.

"Rodgers, Jimmie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105649

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