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Jimmie Rodgers
James Charles Rodgers, born on September 8, 1897, in Meridian, Mississippi, was an influential American singer, songwriter, and musician, widely celebrated as the "Father of Country Music." Known for his distinctive yodeling, Rodgers earned the nicknames "The Singing Brakeman" and "America's Blue Yodeler." His early life was marked by frequent relocations due to his father's work as a railroad worker and Rodgers' own health issues. As a teenager, he was drawn to the vaudeville shows, which significantly influenced his musical style. By the age of 13, he had won a local singing contest and traveled with a medicine show across the Southern United States.

Rodgers' career began in earnest after he joined the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, eventually working as a brakeman. His musical style further developed through interactions with gandy dancers who performed blues. Diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1924, Rodgers shifted his focus entirely to music by 1927 due to his declining health. That year, he joined the Tenneva Ramblers and later recorded solo during the historic Bristol sessions with the Victor Talking Machine Company, after a disagreement with his band. His recording of "Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)" became a hit, launching his successful recording career with over 120 songs to his name.

Rodgers passed away from tuberculosis on May 26, 1933, in New York City, at the age of 35. His legacy endures through his profound influence on country music and his induction into multiple halls of fame.

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