ABSTRACT

American country-western singer, known as “The Singing Brakeman,” born in Mendoza, Mississippi. Rodgers is regarded as the “founding father of modern country and western patterns” [Stambler 1989]. His main work as a young man was not musical:he was a cowboy, then a railroad brakeman. In the mid-1920s, his health too poor to continue railroad work, he formed a group called the Jimmie Rodgers Entertainers and performed at rural fairs, not too successfully. When his financial situation had become desperate, in August 1927, he went to Bristol, Tennessee, for an audition with Victor; he-and the Carter Family, present at the same time-found success with the company. He cut “The Soldier’s Sweetheart”/“Sleep, Baby, Sleep” on 4 August (#20864) and was on his way to stardom. A 15-minute film, The Singing Brakeman (1929), was probably the earliest country music motion picture.