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Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933), the first performer elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, was a folk hero in his own lifetime and has been idolized by fans and emulated by performers ever since. His life story has been particularly susceptible to romanticizing, marked as it was by humble origins, sudden success and fame, and an early death from tuberculosis. Nolan Porterfield's biography banishes the rumors and myths that have long shrouded the Blue Yodeler's life story. Unlike previous writings about Rodgers, Porterfield's book derives from extensive and detailed research into original sources: private letters, personal interviews, court records, and newspaper accounts. Jimmie Rodgers significantly expands and alters our knowledge of the entertainer's life and career, explaining the nature of his role in American culture of the Depression era and providing insightful background on the milieu in which he worked. Porterfield writes a preface for this edition. Nolan Porterfield's other books include Last Cavalier: The Life and Times of John A. Lomax and an award-winning novel, A Way of Knowing. A native of Texas, he now lives near Bowling Green, Kentucky.
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Jimmie Rodgers The LifeandTimes of America's Blueyodeler NOIAN PORTERFIELD U N I V E R S I T Y P R E S S OF M I S S I S S I P P I JACKSON American Made Music Series Advisory Board David Evans, General Editor Barry Jean Ancelet Edward A. Berlin Joyce J. Bolden Rob Botvman Susan C. Cook Curtis Ellison WiUiam Ferris Michaei Harris John Edward Hasse Kip Lornell Frank McArthur Bill Malone Eddie S. iMeadr>ws Manuel H. Peiia David Sanjek Wayne D. Shirley Robert WaIser The University Press of Mississippi is a member of the Association of American University Presses. Copyright O 2007 by NoIan PorteAeld All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America Originally published in 1979 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois First paperback edition 1992 Portions of this work have appeared as "Stranger through Your Town: The Backgrounds and Early Life of Jimmie Rodgers," John Edwards Memorial Foundarion Quarlerly. 1 3 4 5 (Spring 1977), 4-16, and "Mr. Victor and Mr. Peer," Journal of Country Music, 7:3 (December 1978), 3-2 1. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Porterfield, Nolan. Jimmie Rodgers : the life and times of America's blue yodeler / Nolan Porterfield. p. cm. Includes bibliographcal references, dmography. and index. ISBN-13: 978-1-57806-982-8 (pbk. : dk. paper) ISBN-10: 1-57806-982-3 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Rudgers, Jimmie, 1897-1933. 2. Countq musicians-United States-Biography. 1. W e . British Library Cataloging-in-PublicationData avttilablz To the memory of my father, to AI, and to all who listen, and understand Contents Preface ix Looking for 1927 1 "Call Me James" 29 Spring, 191 7-Autumn, 1923 Rain Down Sorrow 47 Autumn, 1923-January, 19.27 Away Out on the Mountain 65 January-August, 1927 Mr. Victor and Mr. Peer 84 "All Right, George, I'll Just Sing One Myself" 104 August, 1927-February, 1928 "Mr. Victor's Got Lots of Money" 132 February-June, 1928 Hitting the Stars 143 June-August, 1928 "The Old Marster's Been Mighty Good to This Mississippi Boy" 156 August-December, 1928 The Show with a Million Friends 174 January-May, 1929 A Home Out in Texas 1'18 Muy-December, 1929 Swain's Follies 225 December, 1 9 2 9 - S u m ~ r ,1930 A Sweetheart Not Far from Shawnee 242 Summer, 1930 Fighting like a Lion 266 August, 1930-February, 1931 Moonlight and Skies 284 February-June,1931 Going Down That Lonesome Trail 301 June, 1931-June, 19.72 "I Heard the Gang Singing 'Bury Me on the Lone Prairie"' 328 J~dy-Srptember,I932 Yodeling My Way Back Home 342 Autumn, 1932-Muy, 1933 Endings,