Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Here Are Some Facts About Jimmie Rodgers, Widely Regarded As The Father Of Country Music

Jimmie Rodgers Facts
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

While his six year-career was cut short, Jimmie Rodgers managed to create and define the role of a country music star. 

His songs about rounders and gamblers, bounders and ramblers made him the first country star to be recognized all over the nation and the inspiration to many artists that includes Hank Snow, Bill Monroe, and Merle Haggard. Let’s get to know more about this country legend with these fun facts.

1. He’s a native of Meridian, Mississippi. 

Born James Charles Rodgers on September 8, 1897, the country singer was the youngest of three sons. His mother died when he was four, and his father worked as a migrant railroad gang foreman.

2. His mother’s sister was his first biggest musical influence. 

When he lost his mother, young Rodgers’ aunt – who was a former teacher with degrees in music – took him in. She introduced Rodgers to various kinds of genre, even vaudeville songs.

3. He was a wild boy.

While he never caused serious troubles, Rodgers frequently hung out in pool halls and seedy bars. At age thirteen, he found fame by winning a singing contest that encouraged Rodgers to keep running away with a traveling medicine show. His father would always track him down and bring him home.

4. He held a number of jobs at the railroad.

Rodgers left school for good at age fourteen and worked with his father at the railroad. He started as a water carrier, then a baggage master and flagman. The experience exposed him to work songs and early blues of African American laborers, inspiring some of Jimmie Rodgers songs. Eventually, he became a brakeman, a job he would do for the next ten years. 

5. He married twice. 

In 1917, Rodgers married Sandra Kelly after getting to know her for only a couple of weeks. Sadly, their marriage was as brief as their meeting. The couple separated in just a few months and were officially divorced two years later.

Soon enough, Rodgers met and married high school student Carrie Williamson.

6. He is one of the first artists to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. 

The Country Music Association created the Hall of Fame to recognize an individual’s significant contribution to the genre’s advancement. Rodgers was one of the first artists to be inducted in 1961, along with Fred Rose and Hank Williams. Rodgers was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Blues Hall of Fame. 

7. He died of a lung hemorrhage. 

In 1929, Rodgers officially became a country superstar, with his concerts and records consistently selling out well. Sadly, his diagnosis of tuberculosis five years ago caught on him. As his star shined even brighter, his health declined even more. He died on May 26, 1933, after completing a recording session where he was accompanied by a nurse and needed to rest on a cot in between songs.

Truly, Jimmie Rodgers is the man who started it all!

Latest Stories

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Morgan Wallen Donates $500,000 Worth of Musical Instruments to Students Across the Nation

Country music superstar Morgan Wallen isn’t just wowing crowds on his One Night at a Time tour; he’s also rocking the world of music education. Through his Morgan Wallen Foundation, ...

Luke Combs and Eric Church's Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Luke Combs and Eric Church’s Concert Raises $24M for Hurricane Helene Victims

Country music superstars Luke Combs and Eric Church united for a powerful cause, headlining the “Concert for Carolina” to benefit victims of Hurricane Helene. The star-studded event, held at Bank ...

13 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Brad Paisley

13 Surprising Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Brad Paisley

When you think of Brad Paisley, you probably picture the quick-witted country star with a guitar in hand and a string of chart-toppers behind him. But there’s much more to ...

Blake Shelton Honors Elvis Presley with "Suspicious Minds" Cover

Blake Shelton Honors Elvis Presley with “Suspicious Minds” Cover

Elvis Presley’s influence on music is undeniable, and his legacy inspires generations. His 1969 hit “Suspicious Minds” remains a signature track, capturing love, conflict, and heartbreak themes. Decades later, country ...

Alan Jackson Stops "Pop a Top" at CMAs in Honor of George Jones

Alan Jackson Stops “Pop a Top” at CMAs in Honor of George Jones

It’s always remarkable when country legends support each other, especially on music’s biggest stages. Alan Jackson’s unforgettable tribute to George Jones at the 1999 CMA Awards was one such moment, ...

Ben Haggard Pays Tribute to His Dad with "Sing Me Back Home"

Ben Haggard Pays Tribute to His Dad with “Sing Me Back Home”

Stepping into the spotlight with a last name like Haggard carries immense weight. Still, Ben Haggard embraces it with remarkable grace and sincerity. As the youngest son of the legendary ...

Vince Gill and Alison Krauss' Soulful Duet of "Tryin' to Get Over You"

Vince Gill and Alison Krauss’ Soulful Duet of “Tryin’ to Get Over You”

Heartbreak has never sounded as hauntingly beautiful as when Vince Gill and Alison Krauss come together to perform “Tryin’ to Get Over You.” In this breathtaking live duet, their voices ...

Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” Surprise at Tyler Perry Play

Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey” Surprise at Tyler Perry Play

On February 14, 2020, Nashville concertgoers were treated to an unforgettable surprise during Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Farewell Tour stop at Bridgestone Arena. It wasn’t just Madea that left the crowd ...

Allie Colleen Honors Keith Whitley with a Heartfelt Cover of "Don't Close Your Eyes"

Allie Colleen Honors Keith Whitley with a Heartfelt Cover of “Don’t Close Your Eyes”

In 2015, Allie Colleen—daughter of country icon Garth Brooks—delivered a touching tribute to Keith Whitley with her rendition of “Don’t Close Your Eyes.” Shared on her Facebook page, the performance ...

Scotty McCreery Wows the Opry with His “Hello Darlin’” Performance

Scotty McCreery Wows the Opry with His “Hello Darlin’” Performance

In 2015, country artist Scotty McCreery took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, four years after winning American Idol Season 10. He captivated the audience with a stunning rendition ...