Jimmie
Rogers – 'The Singing Brakeman' – Part 1
Jimmie
Rogers was a hero of mine – and I learned many of his songs growing
up.
In
the 1980's I was performing at a private event and did a bunch of old
Jimmie Rogers songs: “T for Texas”, “Brakeman’s Blues”,
“He's in the Jailhouse Now”, “Goodbye Ol' Pal”, 'California
Blues' and a few others. At the intermission, an older man came up to
me and introduced himself and complimented me on the old songs, and
said it was fun to hear them again !
That
sparked a nice chat about Jimmie Rogers and his songs. He told me
that many years previously – he had heard Jimmie Rogers many times
in person – at various informal settings and performances when he
was a young railroad worker. He said with a growing smile that Jimmie
knew really dirty versions of all of his songs, as well as other
popular ribald old blues, and workers songs – so dirty “.. it
made you blush” he said with a grin !
He
continued with a twinkle in his eye, saying that Jimmie learned those
dirty songs from the various railroad crews and work gangs he was
around. They loved it when he would stop and sing, entertain, and
regale them with his stories. The old man continued on, saying that
Jimmie was a big kidder and had an impish nature. He was a great joke
and dirty story teller, saying Jimmie would have everyone rolling in
stitches, and howling with laughter with his wild and ribald jokes,
tales and songs.
The
man continued on and told me some brief snippets and punch lines of
Jimmie's comedy bits. They were indeed really funny, and even made me
blush – but alas, after all these years they are gone from memory
as much as I'd love to regale you with them. I remember though
that I sure did laugh – and blush!
I
enjoy the image of Jimmie in a railroad yard delighting a bunch of
rowdy roustabouts, and roughnecks, with ribald ballads and stories.
The man said “...men and women, and all folks just flocked to be
near Jimmie like a magnet. He was a real showman. He was a real star
! ”
You
can get a feel for his live show presence if you listen to the banter
and joking on the 'live' 78 recording – “The Carter Family
visits Jimmie Rogers in Kerrville, Texas.” **** The Carter Family
was based in nearby Del Rio Texas where they could broadcast
nationwide. They admire his new mansion, and he jokes about his
'little shack' – where he can practically see Mexico – and kids
around about getting chickens from the yard for dinner. In the 1920's
Jimmie Rogers and the Carter Family were the founding artists that
created 'Country Music' ! The Kerrville house was a hotbed of such
country music in those days.
“T
for Texas, T for Tennessee … 'cause any old place I hang my hat –
is home sweet home to me”
*Jimmie
Rogers – 'The Yodeling Brakeman', and 'Father of Country Music' –
inducted into:
The
Country Music Hall of Fame – The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame –
Blues
Hall of Fame – Songwriters Hall of Fame
***
**** The Carter Family Visits Jimmie Rogers in Kerrville, Texas – 1928 'Live' 78 rpm recording on YouTube
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