Jimmie Rodgers "The underest dog is just as good as I am; and I'm just as good as the toppest dog." Birth Name: James Charles Rodgers Induction Year: 1970 Date of Birth: 9/8/1897 Place of Birth: Geiger, AL (see Comments) Date of Death: 5/26/1933 Place of Death: New York, NY Former Occupations: railroad brakeman, truck driver, cab driver, farmhand, mechanic, janitor, dishwasher, day laborer, city detective (in Asheville, NC) Career Milestones: 1927--first radio performance on WWNC (Asheville, NC) on April 18 with his band, the Jimmie Rodgers Entertainers 1927--discovered by Ralph Peer, who was a representative for Victor Talking Machine Company at that time 1927--made first "test" record (2 sides--"The Soldier's Sweetheart" and "Sleep, Baby, Sleep") on Victor label on August 4 in a "portable studio" in Bristol, TN (also present at that time were Ralph Peer's other discovery, the Carter Family) 1927--recorded "Blue Yodel" (went on to sell a million copies; first of 12 blue yodels he recorded) 1928--first stage appearance at the Earle Theater in Washington, D.C. (performed "Frankie and Johnnie" as an encore and came back for 16 curtain calls) 1929--starred in short film "The Singing Brakeman" for Columbia Victor Gems in the Fall 1930--recorded song in Hollywood with rising young trumpeter Louis Armstrong in January 1931--recorded with the Carter Family 1933--last recording session in New York during the week of May 17 to 24 Awards: 1961--Country Music Hall of Fame induction (first inductee) 1978--Jimmie Rodgers Commemorative Postage Stamp issued\honoring the "Father of Country Music" (first country star to have stamp dedicated) 1984--W.C. Handy Blues Award\contribution to the blues (first white to win award) 1993--Alabama Music Hall of Fame induction\nominated and inducted after more conclusive proof that Rodgers was born in Alabama 1986--Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame induction 1986--National Academy of Popular Music\Songwriters' Hall of Fame induction Catalog Highlights "T" for Texas (Blue Yodel No. 1) Artists: Jimmie Rodgers, Grandpa Jones, Tompall & His Outlaw Band The Sailor's Plea Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers In the Jailhouse Now Artists: Jimmie Rodgers, Webb Pierce, Jimmy Wakely, Johnny Cash, Sonny James, Willie Nelson & Webb Pierce My Old Pal Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers My Little Old Home in New Orleans Artists: Jimmie Rodgers You and My Old Guitar Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers Daddy and Home Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers I'm Lonely and Blue Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers Lullaby Yodel Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers Never No Mo' Blues Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers Waiting For a Train Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers Everybody Does It in Hawaii Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers Home Call Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers T.B. Blues Co-writer: Raymond E. Hall Artists: Jimmie Rodgers Mississippi Moon Co-writer: Elsie McWilliams Artists: Jimmie Rodgers The Soldier's Sweetheart Artists: Jimmie Rodgers Mule Skinner Blues Co-writer: George Vaughn Artists: Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, Fendermen Any Old Time Artists: Jimmie Rodgers Comments: New evidence has recently come to light supporting the belief that Rodgers was born in Geiger, AL and moved to Meridian, MS with his family when he was an infant. Inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame During Rodgers' recording career (1927-1933), he sold in the area of 12 million records The Jimmie Rodgers Society was formed on September 26, 1947 Considered to be the Father of Country Music