Guide Note:

Singer Jimmie Rodgers is sometimes referred to as "The Father of Country Music." He was the among the first nationally-famous country music performers.

Fast Facts:

1. Born September 8, 1897 in Meridian, Mississippi
2. Died May 26, 1933 from tuberculosis
3. Label: RCA Records
4. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
5. Appeared in a short film, The Singing Brakeman

In 1927, after having spent most of his life working for railroad companies as a brakeman, Rodgers traveled to Asheville, North Carolina and formed his own band, the Tenneva Ramblers. He performed with Otis Kuykendall on Asheville's first radio station in April of that year, shortly before his first recording session for the Victor Talking Machine Company.

The recordings became popular, and led to more sessions for the company. His song "Blue Yodel" sold half a million copies, an impressive number at the time.

His final recording session was held on May 17, 1933 in New York City. He was suffering from a serious case of tuberculosis at the time, and had to record the music while sitting down.