Same Train a Different Time: Jimmie Rodgers and the White Man's Blues
The guitarist-singer Jimmie Rodgers has been called “The Father of Country Music,” “America’s Blue Yodeler,” and “The Singing Brakeman.” Born in Meridian, MS, in 1897, Rodgers recorded briefly between 1927 and 1933, but defined country music as “the white man’s blues” with a related legacy of crooning, jazz, Hawaiian guitar, and eclectic vaudeville-style entertainment. On the 70th anniversary of his death, American Routes looks at the life and legacy of Jimmie Rodgers. We’ll speak with biographer Nolan Porterfield, and hear comments from country singer Merle Haggard and bluesman John Jackson, among others. Also, music about Rodgers’ favorite subject—trains—in many styles… blues, country, soul, roots, rock and more.
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: T for Texas (Blue Yodel #1) Jimmie Rodgers
The Singing Brakeman, Bear Family
My Blue Eyed Jane Jimmie Rodgers
The Singing Brakeman, Bear Family
Waiting For A Train Jerry Lee Lewis
Classic - Jerry Lee Lewis, Classic
Waiting For A Train Dr. John
The Brightest Smile in Town, Classic
My Good Gal's Gone Jimmie Rodgers
The Singing Brakeman, Bear Family
Everybody Does it In Hawaii King Oliver & His Orchestra
1929-30, JSP
Instrumental: Take The 'A' Train Oscar Peterson
Oscar Peterson Plays The Duke Ellington Song Book, Verve
INTERVIEW: Nolan Porterfield on Jimmie Rodgers
Blue Yodel #9 Jimmie Rodgers
The Singing Brakeman, Bear Family
My Blue Eyed Jane Jimmie Rodgers
The Singing Brakeman, Bear Family
T .B. Blues Jimmie Rodgers
The Singing Brakeman, Bear Family
CLIP: Merle Haggard
Jimmie Rodgers' Last Blue Yodel (Women Make a Fool Out of Me) Merle Haggard
Same Train, A Different Time, Capitol
Hobo Bill's Last Ride Iris Dement
The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute, Columbia
Instrumental: Train 45 1/2 Mike Auldridge
Takoma Eclectic Sampler vol-2, Takoma
Mule Skinner Blues John Jackson
Don't Let Your Deal Go Down, Arhoolie
In The Jailhouse Now Steve Earle
The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers: A Tribute, Columbia
SEGMENT: Yodeling
Yodle Song-Coo Coo Eddie Heywood & The Blues Singers with Charles Anderson
Complete Recorded Works 1923-1926, Document
Yodling Blues Bessie Smith
The Complete Recordings Vol.1, Columbia
Yodel Birmingham Jubilee Singers
Complete Recorded Works Vol.1 1926-1927, Document
Spaced Cowboy Sly & The Family Stone
There's a Riot Goin On, Epic
Big Boy Now Super Chicken
What You See, Fat Possum
Youyou Aleli Veka Wendo Kolosoy
Indigo Tropical Collection, Indigo
Chemirocha The Young Maidens of the Kipsigi People
The Life of Jimmie Rodgers Gene Autry
Memories of Jimmie Rodgers, Bear Family
Jimmie the Kid Jimmie Rodgers
The Singing Brakeman, Bear Family
HOUR TWO
Open Bed: Night Train Bill Doggett
Night Train Vol.3: Classic Railroad Songs, Rounder
Hobo, You Can't Ride This Train Louis Armstrong
Complete RCA Victor Recordings, BMG
Chattanooga Choo Choo Ray Charles
The Genius Hits The Road, Rhino
Waiting For The Train To Come In Peggy Lee
The Best of Miss Peggy Lee, Capitol
Rockin' In Rhythm Duke Ellington
The Centennial Edition: Complete RCA Victor Recordings 1927-1973, RCA
Take the A-Train Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys
Mystery Train: Classic Railroad Songs Vol. 2, Rounder
Night Train to Memphis Roy Acuff
The King Of Country Music, Bear Family
Instrumental: Chattanooga Choo Choo Regina Carter
Motor City Moments, Verve
Wabash Cannonball Blind Willie McTell
Last Session, Bluesville
Freight Train Boogie Whitstein Brothers
Mystery Train: Classic Railroad Songs Vol. 2, Rounder
Train of Love Johnny Cash
Complete Sun Singles Vol.2, Bear Family
Down Home Special Bo Diddley
Chess Box, MCA
Instrumental: Freight Train Boogie Johnny Otis
The Johnny Otis Rhythm & Blues Caravan-The Complete Savoy Recordings, Atlantic
Back Up Train Al Green
Master Hits, Arista
Stop That Train Bob Marley & The Wailers
Talkin' Blues, Island
Still a Fool Muddy Waters
His Best 1947 to 1955, MCA
Midnight Special Johnny Rivers
Anthology 1964-1977, Rhino
Straight On The Rails Utah Phillips
Good Though, Rounder
Life's Railway to Heaven Patsy Cline
Mystery Train: Classic Railroad Songs Vol. 2, Rounder
End Bed: This Train The Staple Singers
Freedom Highway, Columbia