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Jimmie Rodgers discography

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Jimmie Rodgers discography
Rodgers in 1929
EPs11
Compilation albums72
Singles57
Music videos1

The discography of Jimmie Rodgers is composed of 111 songs that spanned the blues, jazz and country music genres.[1][2] His first recording was made on August 4, 1927, during the Bristol sessions. The sessions were organized by Ralph Peer, who became Rodgers' main producer.[3] Rodgers enjoyed success. At the height of his career, he made US $75,000 (equivalent to US$1,330,800 in 2023) in royalties in 1929. After the Great Depression, his sales dropped to US$60,000 (equivalent to US$1,064,700 in 2023).[2] His last recording session took place in New York City on May 24, 1933.[4] Rodgers died two nights later at the Taft Hotel after years of suffering from tuberculosis.[2]

Music historian Norm Cohen categorized Rodgers' discography in four different types of songs: nineteenth century songs, songs stemming from vaudeville and minstrel shows, traditional songs, and his thirteen Blue Yodels.[5] Rodgers was known as "America's Blue Yodeler" for his signature use of yodeling.[6] Additional to his recordings, he appeared on Columbia Pictures' short The Singing Brakeman. Two versions by different directors were shot, one in 1929 and the second one, the following year.[7] Rodgers was given writing credits on the labels of eighty-nine releases,[8] though he did not compose most of his songs. He was aided by his sister-in-law Elsie McWilliams, who wrote thirty-nine of the songs.[1] Other songs by Rodgers consisted of already existing numbers that originated from traditional, blues or vaudeville show sources. Rodgers modified the tune, lyrics and interpretation "beyond recognition" to create material that his producer, Ralph Peer, could copyright. He added his signature guitar playing and yodeling.[8] Though McWilliams did not desire credits or financial gain for her contributions, and clarified she did it to help Rodgers and the family, the song publisher added her name to the song credits. McWilliams received US$50 (equivalent to US$900 in 2023) for each song, and with her permission some of her writing credits were omitted.[9] Other usual collaborators of Rodgers included Raymond Hall and Waldo O'Neal.[10]

Rodgers' music directly influenced two generations of musicians including Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Eddy Arnold,[2] Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, and George Harrison.[11][12] Rodgers was elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame with the inaugural class in 1961, to the Songwriters Hall of Fame with the inaugural class in 1970, and to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the inaugural class in 1986 as an "Early Blues Influence".[13]

Recordings[14][15]

[edit]
Song Title[14] Recording Number[14] Recording Date[15] Recording Location[15] Release Date [14] Recording Notes
The Soldiers Sweetheart 39767-4 Aug 4, 1927 Bristol, Tennessee Oct 4, 1927 First recording session; Vocals, guitar
Sleep Baby Sleep 39768-3
Ben Dewberry's Final Run 40751-2 Nov 30, 1927 Camden, New Jersey April 6, 1928 Vocals, guitar; written by Andy Jenkins
Mother Was A Lady (If Brother Jack Were Here) 40752-2 Aug 3, 1928 Vocals, guitar. The record had to be re-issued after a lawsuit by Joseph Stern and Edward B. Marks for the title, and crediting authorship to Rodgers.
Blue Yodel (T For Texas) 40753-2 Feb 3, 1928 Rodgers' most popular recording, sold over a million copies. Vocals, guitar.
Away Out On The Mountain 40754-2 Vocals, guitar
Dear Old Sunny South By The Sea 41736-2 Feb 14, 1928 Oct 5, 1928 Vocals, guitar with The Three Southerners
Treasures Untold 41737-2 Aug 3, 1928 Vocals, guitar
Brakeman's Blues (Yodeling The Blues Away) 41738-2 May 4, 1928 Vocals, guitar, ukulele
Sailors Plea 41739-2 April 19, 1929 With the Three Southeners; co-written McWilliams
In The Jailhouse Now 41740-2 Feb 15, 1928 April 6, 1928 Vocals, guitar, banjo
Blue Yodel 2 (Lovin' Gal Lucille) 41741-2 May 4, 1928 Vocals, guitars
Memphis Yodel 41742-2 Nov 2, 1928 Singing and yodeling with guitar
Blue Yodel 3 (Evening Sun Yodel) 41743-2 Sept 7, 1928 Vocals, guitar
My Old Pal 45090-2 June 12, 1928 Dec 2, 1928 Singing with guitar, co-written with McWilliams
Mississippi Moon (Early Version) 45091-2 Feb 4, 1932 Vocals, guitar
My Little Home Down In New Orleans 45093-2 Oct 5, 1928 Vocals, guitar
You And My Old Guitar 45094-2 June 7, 1929 Co-written with McWilliams, singing and yodeling with guitar
Daddy And Home 45095-2 Dec 2, 1928 Singing with guitar, co-written with McWilliams
My Little Lady 45096-2 June 7, 1929 Co-written with McWilliams, singing and yodeling with guitar
Lullaby Yodel 45098-2 Nov 2, 1928 Co-written with McWilliams, singing and yodeling with guitar
Never No Mo’ Blues 45099-3 Sept 7, 1928 Co-written with McWilliams, singing and yodeling with guitar
My Carolina Sunshine Girl 47215-3 Oct 20, 1928 Atlanta, Georgia Aug 22, 1929 Singing and yodeling with orchestra
Blue Yodel 4 (California Blues) 47216-4 Feb 8, 1929 Singing with orchestra
Waiting For A Train 47223-4 Oct 22, 1928 Singing with orchestra. Second best-selling song by Rodgers, with 365,0000 copies sold.
I'm Lonely And Blue 47224-5 April 19, 1929 Singing with orchestra, co-written with McWilliams
Desert Blues 48384-3 Feb 21, 1929 New York City, New York Aug 22, 1929 Singing and yodeling with orchestra
Any Old Time 48385-2 Sept 5, 1930 Singing with guitar and orchestra.
Blue Yodel 5 (It's Raining Here) 49990-2 Feb 23, 1929 Sept 20, 1929 Singing with yodeling and guitar
High Powered Mama 49991-3 Oct 17, 1930 Singing with guitar
I'm Sorry We Met 49992-2 Sept 20, 1929 Singing with yodeling and guitar
Everybody Does It In Hawaii 55307-2 Aug 8, 1929 Dallas, Texas Nov 22, 1929 Singing with guitar. Co-written with McWilliams
Tuck Away My Lonesome Blues 55308-3 Jan 3, 1930 Co-written with McWilliams and Joe Kaipo. Singing with guitar, whistling by Bob MacGimsey
Train Whistle Blues 55309-2 June 5, 1930 Singing with guitar
Jimmie's Texas Blues 55332-2 Aug 10, 1929 Singing with guitar
Frankie And Johnny 55333-2 Nov 22, 1929 Singing with guitar
Home Call 55445-3 Aug 12, 1929 Co-Written with McWilliams. Singing with guitar
Whisper Your Mother's Name 56449-4 Oct 22, 1929 April 4, 1930 Singing with guitar
The Land Of My Boyhood Dreams 56450-4 July 14, 1933 Singing with guitar
Blue Yodel 6 (She Left Me This Morning) 56453-3 Feb 21, 1930 Singing with guitar
Yodeling Cowboy 56454-3 Co-Written with McWilliams. Singing with guitar
My Rough And Rowdy Ways 56455-3 Jan 3, 1930 Singing with guitar. Co-written with McWilliams
I've Ranged I've Roamed And I've Travelled 56456-3 April 10, 1935 Co-Written with McWilliams. Singing with guitar
Hobo Bill's Last Ride 56528-3 Nov 13, 1929 New Orleans, Louisiana Aug 1, 1930 Written by Waldo Lafayette O'Neal. Singing with yodeling and guitar
Mississippi River Blues 56594-4 Nov 25, 1929 Atlanta, Georgia April 24, 1931 Singing with guitar
Nobody Knows But Me 56595-4 March 13, 1931 Co-Written with McWilliams. Singing with guitar
Blue Yodel 7 (Anniversary Yodel) 56607-3 Nov 26, 1929 Sept 5, 1930 Co-Written with McWilliams. Singing with guitar
She Was Happy Till She Met You 56608-3 July 1, 1932 Co-Written with McWilliams. Singing with guitar
Blue Yodel 11 (I've Got A Gal) 56617-4 Nov 27, 1929 June 30, 1933 Singing with guitar
Drunkards Child 56618-3 Nov 28, 1929 April 4, 1930 Singing with guitar, co-written with Andrew Jenkins
That's Why I'm Blue 56619-3 Aug 1, 1930 Co-Written with McWilliams. Singing and yodeling with guitar
Why Did You Give Me Your Love 56620-4 April 10, 1935 Singing with guitar
My Blue Eyed Jane 54849-3 June 30, 1930 Hollywood, California June 5, 1931 Singing with orchestra. Co-written with Mrs. Lulu Belle White
Why Should I Be Lonely 54850-3 Dec 4, 1931 Co-written with Estelle Lovell. Singing with Hawaiian guitars
Moonlight And Skies 54851-3 Oct 23, 1931 Co-written with Raymond E. Hill. Singing with orchestra
Pistol Packin' Papa 54852-2 July 1, 1930 Dec 5, 1930 Co-written with Waldo O'neal. Singing with guitar
Take Me Back Again 54854-3 July 2, 1930 May 25, 1938 Co-written with Raymond E. Hill. Singing with the Lani McIntire's Hawaiians
Those Gambler's Blues 54855-3 July 5, 1930 Dec 5, 1930 Singing with guitar
I'm Lonesome Too 54856-3 July 7, 1930 July 17, 1931 Singing with Hawaiian orchestra
The One Rose 54857-3 Dec 1, 1937 Written by Del Lyon, McIntire. Singing with McIntire's Hawaiians
For The Sake Of Days Gone By 54860-2 July 9, 1930 April 8, 1932 Co-written with Jack White. Singing with Hawaiian guitar
Jimmie's Mean Mama Blues 54861-3 July 10, 1930 Feb 6, 1931 Singing with orchestra. Written by Walter O'Neal, Bob Sawyer
Mystery Of Number 5 54862-3 July 11, 1930 March 13, 1931 Singing with guitar
Blue Yodel 8 (Muleskinner Blues) 54863-3 Feb 6, 1931 Singing with guitar
In The Jailhouse Now 2 54864-3 July 12, 1930 Oct 17, 1930 Singing with guitar
Blue Yodel 9 (Standin' On The Corner) 54867-3 July 16, 1930 Sept 11, 1931 Singing with orchestra. Uncredited appearances by Louis Armstrong (trumpet) and Lil Hardin Armstrong (piano).
Pullmans Porters 1302-1
T.B. Blues 67133-3 Jan 31, 1931 San Antonio, Texas April 24, 1931 Singuing with guitar. Co-written by R. Hall
Travellin' Blues 67134-3 July 17, 1931 Singing with orchestra. Co-written with Shelly Lee Alley
Jimmie The Kid 67135-3 June 5, 1931 Singing with guitars and string bass. Co-written with Neville
Rodger's Puzzle Record 67135-3 Dec 31, 1931 Contains three songs. Studio edit joining "Train Whistle Blues", "Blue Yodel" and "Everybody Does it in Hawaii"
Why There's A Tear In My Eye 69412-3 June 10, 1931 Louisville, Kentucky Nov 23, 1936 Recorded with Sara Carter. Singing with guitar
The Wonderful City 69413-3 Feb 17, 1937 Co-written with McWilliams. With Sara Carter, singing with guitars
Let Me Be Your Side Track 69424-4 June 11, 1931 Dec 31, 1931 Singing with guitar
Rodgers Visits The Carter Family 69427-1 June 12, 1931 Oct 23, 1931 Assisted by the Carter Family. Singing with Mandolin and guitar
The Carter Family Visit Rodgers In Texas 67428-1 Jan 20, 1937 With the Carter Family. Singing with guitars
Cactus Is In Bloom 69432-3 June 13, 1931 Feb 26, 1932 Singing with guitar
Gambling Polka Dot Blues 69439-3 June 15, 1931 Co-written with R. Hall. Singing with piano
Looking For A New Mama 69443-3 Sept, 11, 1931 Singing with guitars
What's it? 69448-4 June 16, 1931 Dec 4, 1931 Co-written with J. Neville. Singing with piano
My Good Gals Gone 69449-3 May 22, 1935 Singing with Louisville Jug Band
Southern Cannonball 69458-4 June 17, 1931 July 14, 1933 Co-written with McWilliams. Singing with guitar
Roll Along Kentucky Moon 70645-2 Feb 2, 1932 Dallas, Texas April 8, 1932 Written by Halley. Singing with Hawaiian guitars
Hobos Meditation 70646-2 Feb 3, 1932 Sep 23, 1932 Singing with guitars and string bass
My Time Ain't Long 70647-2 Feb 4, 1932 May 20, 1932 Co-written with Waldo O'Neal. Singing with guitars, ukulele and string bass
Ninety-Nine Year Blues 70648-2 Co-written with Hall. Singing with guitars and string bass
Mississippi Moon (Later Version) 45091-2 Aug 12, 1932 Co-Written with McWilliams. Singing with guitar
Down The Old Road To Home 70649-2 Feb 5, 1932 Sep 23, 1932 Co-written with Carey D. Harvey. Singing with guitars
Blue Yodel 10 (Ground Hog Rootin' In My Backyard) 70650-2 Feb 6, 1932 Aug 12, 1932 Singing with guitars
Home Call (1932) 55345-2 July 1, 1932 Co-Written with McWilliams. Singing with guitar
Mother Queen Of My Heart 58961-2 Aug 11, 1932 Camden, New Jersey Oct 21, 1932 Co-written with Hoyt Bryant. Singing with violin, banjo and guitar
Rock All Our Babies To Sleep 58963-2 Arranged by Rodgers. Singing with violin, banjo and guitar
Whippin' That Old T.B. 58964-2 Jan 13, 1933 Singing with violin, banjo and guitars
No Hard Times 58968-3 Aug 15, 1932 Singing with violin, banjo and guitars
Long Tall Mama Blues 58969-1 Feb 24, 1933 Singing with banjo and guitars
Peach Picking Time In Georgia 58970-2 April 7, 1933 Co-written with C. McMichen. Singing with banjo and guitar
Gambling Barroom Blues 58971-3 Feb 24, 1933 Co-written with Shelly Lee Alley. Singing with fiddle, banjo and guitar.
I've Only Loved Three Women 58972-1 Feb 17, 1937 Co-written with Harvey. With violin, banjo and guitar
In The Hills Of Tennessee 73324-2 Aug 29, 1932 New York City, New York Dec 2, 1932 Sam M. Hills, Ira Schuster. Singing with orchestra
Prairie Lullaby 73325-2 April 7, 1933 Co-written with George Brown. Singing with violins, guitar, clarinet and piano
Miss The Mississippi And You 73326-2 Dec 2, 1932 Written by Bill Halley. Singing with orchestra
Sweet Mama Hurry Home 73327-2 June 30, 1933 Singing with guitar, violin, clarinet and piano
Blue Yodel 12 (Barefoot Blues) 76138-1 May 17, 1933 June 27, 1933 Singing with guitars
Dreaming With Tears In My Eye 76139-1 May 25, 1938 Co-written with Waldo O'Neal. Singing with guitar.
The Cowhand's Last Ride 76140-1 June 27, 1933 Co-written with Arza Hitt Singing with guitar
I'm Free From The Chain Gang Now 76141-1 Sep 8, 1933 Written by Lou Herscher. Singing with guitar
Yodeling My Way Back Home 76151-2 May 18, 1933 Dec 1, 1937 Singing with guitars
Jimmie Rodgers' Last Blue Yodel (The Women Make A Fool Out Of Me) 76160-1 Dec 20, 1933 Singing with guitars
The Yodeling Ranger 76191-2 May 20, 1933 Sept 8, 1933 Co-written with Raymond Hall, singing with guitar
Old Pal Of My Heart 76192-2 July 28, 1933 Co-written with Joe B. Mason. Singing with guitar
Old Love Letters 76327-1 May 24, 1933 Oct 20, 1933 Co-written with Herscher and Butcher. Singing with guitars
Mississippi Delta Blues 76328-2 July 28, 1933 Co-written with Jack Neville
Somewhere Down Below The Dixson Line 76331-2 Oct 20, 1933 Co-written with Ryan. Singing with guitar
Years Ago 76332-2 Dec 20, 1933 Singing with guitar. Co-written with Herscher, Richards

Unreleased recordings[15]

[edit]
Song Label Recording Location Recording date
"The Sailors Plea" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Camden, New Jersey Feb 14, 1928
"Mississippi Moon" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued June 12, 1928
"I'm Lonely and Blue" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued
"Any Old Time" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued New York City, New York Feb 21, 1929
"High Powered Mama" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Feb 23, 1929
"Frankie and Johnny" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued Dallas, Texas Aug 10, 1929
"Frankie and Johnny" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued Aug 12, 1929
"Home Call" (Alternate take 1) Victor Unissued
"Home Call" (Alternate take 2) Victor Unissued
"Whisper Your Mothers Name" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued Oct 22, 1929
"Whisper Your Mothers Name" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued
"The Land of My Boyhood Dreams" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued
"The Land of My Boyhood Dreams" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued
"The Land of My Boyhood Dreams" (Alternate Take 3) Victor Unissued
"Blue Yodel 6" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued
"Blue Yodel 6" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued
"Yodeling Cowboy" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued
"My Rough and Rowdy Ways" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued
"My Rough and Rowdy Ways" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued
"I've Ranged, I've Roamed, and I've Travelled" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued
"I've Ranged, I've Roamed, and I've Travelled" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued
"Mississippi River Blues" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Atlanta, Georgia Nov 13, 1929
"Blue Yodel 7" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Nov 26, 1929
"She was Happy Till She Met You" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued
"Blue Yodel 11" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Nov 27, 1929
"Why Did You Give Me Your Love?" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Nov 28, 1929
"My Blue Eyed Jane" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Hollywood, California June 30, 1930
"Moonlight and Skies" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued
"Take Me Back Again" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued July 2, 1930
"Those Gambler's Blues" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued July 5, 1930
"I'm Lonesome Too" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued July 7, 1930
"For the Sake of Days Gone by" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued July 8, 1930
"T.B. Blues" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued July 11, 1930
"Travellin' Blues" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued San Antonio, Texas Jan 31, 1931
"Travellin' Blues" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued
"Jimmie The Kid" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued
"Why There's A Tear in My Eye" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Louisville, Kentucky June 10, 1931
"Let Me Be Your Sidetrack" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued June 11, 1931
"Let Me Be Your Sidetrack" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued
"When The Cactus is in Bloom" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued June 15, 1931
"Gambling Polka Dot Blues" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued
"Gambling Polka Dot Blues" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued
:"Looking For A New Mama" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued
"What's It?" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued June 16, 1931
"My Good Gal's Gone Blues" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued
"Southern Cannonball" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued June 17, 1931
"Jimmie Rodgers' Puzzle Record" (Alternate Pressing) Victor Unissued Camden, New Jersey Oct 27, 1931
"Roll Along Kentucky Moon" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Dallas, Texas Feb 2, 1932
"Hobo's Meditation" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Feb 3, 1932
"My Time Ain't Long" (Alternate Take 1) Victor Unissued Feb 4, 1932
"My Time Ain't Long" (Alternate Take 2) Victor Unissued
"Mississippi Moon (Later Version)" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Feb 5, 1932
"In The Hills of Tennessee" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Camden, New Jersey Aug 10, 1932
"Prohibition Has Done Me Wrong" (Unreleased) Victor Unissued Aug 11, 1932
"Whippin' That Old T.B." (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued
"No Hard Times" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued Aug 15, 1932
"Dreaming With Tears in My Eyes" (Alternate Take) Victor Unissued New York City, New York May 18, 1933

Overdubbed recordings[16]

[edit]
Song Title Label Year Notes
In The Jailhouse Now No. 2 (Overdubbed Version) RCA 1955 Overdubbed by The Rainbow Ranch Boys
Blue Yodel 8 (Muleskinner Blues) (Overdubbed Version)
Peach Pickin' Time In Georgia (Overdubbed Version)
Mother, Queen Of My Heart (Overdubbed Version)
Never No Mo' Blues (Overdubbed Version)
Blue Yodel (T For Texas) (Overdubbed Version)
Daddy And Home (Overdubbed Version)
Memphis Yodel (Overdubbed Version)

Filmography

[edit]
Year Director Film Studio Note
1930 Jasper Ewing Brady The Singing Brakeman Columbia Pictures Both Recordings were recorded on the same day in 1930.

Just had different directors. Released within a month of each other. the Basil Smith Recording is the more popular one.

1930 Basil Smith

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Mazor, Barry 2009, p. n8.
  2. ^ a b c d Peterson, Richard 2008, p. 50.
  3. ^ Mazor, Barry 2009, p. 16.
  4. ^ Dicaire, David 2015, p. 44.
  5. ^ Heylin, Clinton 2015, p. 81.
  6. ^ Sullivan, Steve 2013, p. 22.
  7. ^ Mazor, Barry 2009, pp. 98–99.
  8. ^ a b Heylin, Clinton 2015, p. 80.
  9. ^ Bond, Johnny 1977, p. 68.
  10. ^ Mazor, Barry 2009, p. 124.
  11. ^ Smith, John 1999, p. 80.
  12. ^ Kahn, Ashley 2020, p. 349.
  13. ^ Porterfield, Nolan 2007, p. 11.
  14. ^ a b c d "Music | Jimmie Rodgers Festival & Museum | Meridian, Mississippi". Jimmie Rodgers. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  15. ^ a b c d Russell, Tony; Pinson, Bob (2008). Country Music Records: a discography, 1921-1942. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-536621-1.
  16. ^ Family, Bear. "Jimmie Rodgers Box set: The Singing Brakeman (6-CD Deluxe Box Set)". Bear Family Records. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
Sources
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