Jimmie Rodgers (8 September 1897 – 26 May 1933) was one of the first super stars of country music, and in Mississippi he’s known as the father of country music. He became famous for his yodeling, western themes in song and as one of the first country blues singers.

Rodgers' father worked as a maintenance foreman for the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and he often accompanied his father to work, learning blues music from the workers in the yard. His mother died early in his life, and although not really an orphan, the experience affected Rodgers for the rest of his life.

He taught himself to play the guitar, but went to work for the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, eventually becoming a brakeman. In 1924, Rodgers contracted tuberculosis (the disease that had killed his mother), and had to leave his railroad job.

He turned to music and played in saloons. He was discovered by Ralph Peer when Peer came to Bristol, TN in August 1927 to scout talent and record acts for Victor records. Rodgers career took off immediately and he enjoyed great success. But the tuberculosis caught up with him in 1933. He died during a series of recording sessions in NYC.

– Jimmie Rodgers, “the singing brakeman”