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JIMMIE RODGERS

	Jimmie Rodgers', "The Singing Brakeman," rose to the heights of
popular music during the 20's and early 30's with a "hillbilly"
style which drew heavily upon the imagery of the railroads
spanning this country and the surrounding farm lands.

	Born September 8, 1897 in Geiger, Alabama, Rodgers joined the
railroad at 14 and worked as water-carrier, flagman, brakeman
and assistant section foreman until tuberculosis forced his
retirement.

	He recorded his first songs in 1927 in the famous "Bristol"
sessions by the Victor Talking Machine Company. The firm set up
a traveling studio in the town of Bristol, Tennessee, and
recorded Rodgers along with many other artists from the
surrounding countryside. The session led to more work with
Victor which released hit songs such as "T For Texas", "Blue
Yodel", "In The Jailhouse Now", "Brakeman Blues", and others.  
He recorded his last record, "Fifteen Years Ago Today", only two
days before his death May 26, 1933 of tuberculosis. During this
brief five year career Rodgers was a prolific songwriter,
penning many of his hits with his sister-in-law, Elsie
McWilliams.

	Jimmie Rodgers was one of the first three individuals to be
elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and is Known as "The
Father of Country Music". He was inducted into the Alabama Music
Hall of Fame in 1993 after research revealed  his place of birth
to be Geiger, Alabama.

   


	Jimmie Rodgers', "The Singing Brakeman", rose to the heights of
popular music during the 30s with a "hillbilly" style which
earned him the title "Father of Country Music".	

	Born in Geiger, Al., in 1897, Rodgers joined the railroad at
14. He recorded his first songs in 1927 in the famous Victor
Talking Machine Company "Bristol Sessions". 	

	The session led to more work with Victor which released his hit
songs such as "T For Texas", "In The Jailhouse Now", and
"Brakeman Blues". As a songwriter, Rodgers penned many hits with
his sister-in-law, Elsie McWilliams.	

	He recorded his last record, "Fifteen Years Ago Today", only
two days before his death, May 26, 1933, of tuberculosis.

	Rodgers is the 1993 John Herbert Orr Pioneer Award recipient.