Posted by Pete Smith on September 17, 2009, 12:29 am
81.154.155.38
“The Advertiser” (UK) 4 September 2009
Next Tuesday (8 September) marks the one hundred and twelfth anniversary of the birth of country music’s most revered artists, Jimmie Rodgers. As a child Jimmie suffered the early effects of tuberculosis, the disease that took his mother when he was just four years old. Being raised in rural Mississippi Rodgers was exposed to music much of his waking hours,
interested in things musical. As a teenager he worked briefly as a cowboy before taking up the position of brakeman on his local railroad, a job he thought he would have for life. During break times Jimmie would entertain his colleagues by singing to guitar accompaniment something he had learned during his youth. He would sing traditional country songs, the blues and some of his own composition. Rodgers’ world fell about his ears during the mid-1920s when his tuberculosis gained such a grip he could no longer undertake the arduous duties of brakeman. Needing to earn a living Jimmie decided to become a performer forming the Jimmie Rodgers Entertainers, a troupe that played rural fairs and tent shows. Success was mixed and when Jimmie ran out of money fate dealt her hand. Jimmie took his then current band, The Tenneva Ramblers to Bristol to audition for the Victor Talking Machine Company (later RCA Records). The group arrived in Bristol at the beginning of August 1927 but on the day before the auditions, 3 August, the Ramblers quit leaving Jimmie stranded. However the resourceful Rodgers persuaded the recording executive, Ralph Peer, to recorded him solo and so history was made when Jimmie recorded “Sleep Baby Sleep” and “The Soldier’s Sweetheart”. Upon release the songs were massive sellers for the time and Jimmie, now billed as “The Singing Brakeman”, became the biggest selling hillbilly of all time. Rodgers career was short lived, a mere six years, but six years that would influence country music for the next eight decades. He died of tuberculosis in New York on 26 May 1933. In 1961 Jimmie Rodgers was the first to be inducted into the “Country Music Hall of Fame”. Though Rodgers was named the “Father of Country Music” I have never really accepted him as a country singers. Just a cursory listen to his music reveals Jimmie to be a blues singer, probably the best white blues singer ever but definitely not a country singer. Jimmie’s songs are blues too. Many of his compositions frequently used couplets from blues songs and the use of brass instruments on many of his recordings bridge the gap between blues and jazz. Whatever label one puts on Rodgers it can never be denied he had an immense influence on the country music even to this very day. Just listen to Bob Wills, Gene Autry, Ernest Tubb, Merle Haggard or Lefty Frizzell.
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
“The Advertiser” (UK) 11 September 2009
The Hank Williams estate is in talks with two movie companies interested in making a film about the life of Hank. Assured it will be the definitive story, not one packed with inaccuracies as was the “Your Cheatin’ Heart” fiasco of some years ago, and Hank Junior and Jett Williams have given their blessings and are now in meaningful talks. Watch this space.
Tammy Wynette has longed been revered as a country singer and was inducted into the “Country Music Hall of Fame” in the year of her death, 1988. Her songwriting though has been overshadowed by her magnificence as a performer, something that is about to be put right. On 18 October Tammy, along with Kye Fleming, will be inducted into the “Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame”. Tammy wrote or co-wrote such hits as “Stand By Your Man”, “Til I Can Make It On My Own”, “I’m A Stand By My Woman Man” (for Ronnie Milsap) and “Two Story House” (a duet with then husband George Jones). In total Tammy achieved 17 BMI awards.
Sad to report that Brooks and Dunn are to retire this year after eighteen glorious years in the country business. The duo hit the country charts with three consecutive number one’s, “Brand New Man”, “My Next Broken Heart” and “Neon Moon”/”Boot Scootin’ Boogie”, which to this day remains one of the most played tracks on the UK dance circuit. In total the duo have had more than 50 single hits, 20 of which made number one.
A “Greatest Hits” album has been released and a tour has been arranged to promote it and to say farewell to their many fans. Thanks for your music Kix and Ronnie!
107 years ago this very day (11 September) Jimmie Davis was born in Louisiana. Jimmie’s greatest claim to fame was his composition “You Are My Sunshine”. He was inducted into the “Country Music Hall of Fame” in 1972, unusual for Davis was a part-time performer mixing his singing with politics. He was a Public Service Commissioner, Criminal Court Clerk and twice Governor of Louisiana. He died 5 November 2000 a wonderful 98 years old.
Happy birthday tomorrow (12 September) to George Jones. Old Jonesy will be 78 years young.
Sunday marks the ninety-eighth anniversary of the birth of the “Father of Bluegrass”, Bill Monroe. Bill died on 9 September 1996.
On Monday it will be 61 years since the death of Vernon Dalhart. A former opera singer, Dalhart found more success singing down his nose that from the diaphragm. His recording of “The Wreck Of The Old ‘97” (1924) was country music’s first million seller. During his career Dalhart issued more that 5000 singles using more than 100 pseudonyms.
Remember there are stars in the southern sky.
11
Message Thread:
« Back to thread