Jimmy Rodgers (1897-1933), aka "The Singing Brakeman," "The Blue Yodeler," and the "Father of Country Music" was a country singer known for his rhythmic yodeling. He was the first country music superstar and his one of his earliest recordings, "Blue Yodel" (1927), also known as "T for Texas," sold over 500,000 records. Many of his songs are about railroading and are authentic in that he and his father both worked on the Mobile and Ohio RR, and he worked on "The New Orleans and Northeastern," as well as the "Southern Pacific." He contracted Tuberculosis in 1924 and died of the disease at the age of 36.
The Cumberland Post
My Backyard, Six Miles from the Cumberland River
Dan, I remember that my Munnie & Papaw had some 78's of Jimmie...at least I think I remember that they did. Somebody did! And, it was likely to be Munnie (my Daddy's mother), because she was a hopeless fan of country music.
ReplyDeleteMan, when she died she had stacks of albums of the old greats...autographed programs from every show she ever went to...and on her refrigerator, autographed pictures of Mel Tillis, and Ray Price. I think those were her two most prized photos (except for her children, and grandchildren of course).
She died right there at the old formica-topped kitchen table about two feet from the 'frig...keeled over with a heart attack...didn't suffer but just a minute according to the coroner.
Now, she was a FAN!
That's the way I want to go...quickly, and in familiar surroundings, with people I love.
Yodeling ain't my cuppa, but I acknowledge Mr. Rodgers greatness. The imagery in the vid was very good! (I'm a steam train buff, of sorts)
ReplyDeleteAndy, Thanks for the comment. Interestingly, my son called my Mom, "Moonie." And his kids (her great grand kids all called her by that name too.
ReplyDeleteBuck, I hear you about yodeling. A little goes a long way with me. I like train pics and movies as well; my Dad was a fireman on a steam train for awhile in the early '40's.