Jimmie Rodgers - Waiting for a Train/Daddy andHome/BlueYodel

[Ranwolfe]

Is this the only flim of him? I remember when I bought my first album of him in 1973

[Dannys99887]

@Ranwolfe Yes, this Columbia feature is the only film of Rodgers. RCA rereleased Rodgers' recordings on 33 1/3 vinyl as early as the 1960's. All of Rodgers' recordings have been rereleased on RCA and other labels, and are still in print on CD. There are interesting recordings of Rodgers in conversation, on Victor recordings that he made with The Carter Family.

[PoetryETrain]

Thank you, this has been added to our playlists here and on facebook...

[watsonvillian]

One thing I love so much about Rodgers songs are that they are legit. He was a real rail worker.Jimmy's music has traveled thousands of miles with me on old roads and mountains and highways. I bet heaven has the greatest concert right now...Jimmy, Hank, Johnny, Waylon, and a ton more. I hope when my time comes many years from now I get a front row seat.

[KiddVid]

@watsonvillian There will only be two seats. A front row seat, and the hot seat. Reservations must be made in advance.

[nickkienbaum455476]

Hey Freight train riders. Enjoy the worst of the blues and the best of the news.

[retroeddie]

Could this have been the first "music video"? Damn, Jimmie Rodgers was quite the innovator, eh? Anybody that don't like Jimmie Rodgers should get themselves checked...cause something ain't right! CHEERS!

[Soquilii]

My Daddy was a life-long fan of his. There was a story that Jimmie was playing in or near Daddy's hometown and his sharecropper father couldn't afford the dime it would take for Daddy to see him. Daddy died before this video was uploaded. I wish so much he could have seen it. I will be posting a tribute to Jimmie Rodgers soon; my father sings several of his songs in the slide show.

[ReaperBuc]

Let's see - only one man has been inducted in the inaugural classes of both the Rock-n-Roll and Country music Hall of Fames. Who was that person again....?

[GuitarzanOO50]

This is such a cool film. Thanks for posting it. Is it available to purchase anywhere?

[Dudepatrol47]

Okay, quick poll... Jimmie Rodgers or Justin Bieber? I dare anyone to pick bieber!

[lifewasters]

1 justin bieber watched this vid:)

[qivideo8]

Porterfield book is wonderfully researched and comprehensive.

Actually, how many songs Jimmie actually wrote is very questionable. His sister-in-law, Elsie McWilliams wrote or co-wrote many of the songs. Other were bought from other writers. Everybody did it, and it takes nothing aways from Jimmie's greatness. Read the book for more insights.

[orkam64]

Great music. Blues to the core. It's hard not to bring segragation into the discussion when you hear this and see this historical footage (great post!) Oh, forget my political crap. Call this "American Music". Steal it. Play it. Enjoy it..

[ThomasASwilling]

@orkam64 Stole it?? Jimmie Rodgers wrote what he recorded. I defy anyone to prove differently. It has nothing to do with racism, segregation, or any other political b.s. Every song he wrote was based on his own life experiences. There was a reason why he was called "The Singing Brakeman". A lot of people besides Jimmie Rodgers recorded his songs, but they were originally his. He wrote them, he did not steal them. Forget your political crap? YOU forget it--in THIS case, anyway.

[hybridzombies]

@ThomasASwilling Rock on!

[Pentagonshark666]

Jimmie Rodgers is maybe even greatest/best american singer in the 20th

century.

[2manygits]

He added the "d" to his last name for whatever reason long before he became famous. It's funny and strange that he had the "d" made larger on his guitar neck than the other letters in his name.

[ThomasASwilling]

@2manygits Actually, that was all the C.F. Martin guitar company's doing. If you'll notice, the letters get progressively larger, but only because the frets get closer together as you go down the neck, and likewise the space between them, which means that the size of the letters varies accordingly. What's your source that says that he (Jimmie) was the one who added the "d" to his surname, and what does it matter in the cosmic scheme of things? Not arguing, just curious where you heard that.

[2manygits]

@ThomasASwilling I read about the added "D" the book by Nolan Porterfield titled; "The Life and Times of America's Blue Yodeler". Actually, I just checked, and I was mistaken; it was his father who added the "D", and not Jimmy.

[ThomasASwilling]

@2manygits Thanks for the info on the book. I would love to have a copy if I can find it somewhere. Thank you again. My dad always sang "Waiting for a Train", but he did it in 3/4 time instead of 4/4. I don't know if Jimmie later re-recorded the song in 3/4 time or not, but it sounds just as good as this version--and sets the mood better, in my humble opinion. Maybe I'll record it and upload it so you can hear the difference. Warning: I only play and sing for my own amusement. I'm not a pro.

[2manygits]

@ThomasASwilling You can get the book through the Jimmy Rodgers Museum in Meridian Mississippi along with tee shirts etc....Google+telephone+credit card+mailman=coolness.

In the book, they talk about Jimmy's timing in some of his songs, and they said that he used to drive other musicians crazy because he would change time signature wherever the tune carried him.

[ThomasASwilling]

@2manygits My dad was a kid when Jimmie Rodgers was touring and recording. Jimmie did a couple of songs with Louis Armstrong, and Dad said that Armstrong's band was the only one who could follow Jimmie Rodgers' unusual timing without a hitch. Dad said the same thing that you said the book said about Jimmie's driving other musicians crazy with his timing, not just changing timing in the middle of a song, but also throwing in 3/4 time riffs in 4/4 time songs and vise versa.

[MrBillfitz]

the first super star ,Hank was the second and Elvis the third.

in the entertainment world they were, the Father, Son , and Holy Ghost.

loved all three.

[ThomasASwilling]

@MrBillfitz Actually, the next people to record their music after Jimmy Rodgers was the Carter Family: Maybelle, A.P., and Sarah. They were as popular as Jimmy Rodgers at the time.

[ThomasASwilling]

@ThomasASwilling I should add that Jimmy Rodgers and the Carter Family had as much influence on music, especially country music, as anyone before or since. Chet Atkins and Earl Scruggs took guitar lessons from Maybelle Carter, and almost every country artist did at least one of Jimmy Rodgers' songs. Wildwood Flower, and Maybelle Carter's way of playing it became a country standard; and every Southern guitar player worth his salt had that song in his repertoire.

[drfernandooscargil]

wonderful.- Many Thanks!

[1958wvpicker]

this was great many thanks for posting it

Rich in WV

[wesleyh1992]

I wish they'd play him and other legends like the Carter family

[Pentagonshark666]

Jimmie was railroad man himself.rest in peace.

[Pentagonshark666]

One of the greatest singers of 20th century.no doubt.

[GuitarBlues3]

Absolutely stunning special effects here.

[Dannys998877]

@GuitarBlues3 LOL!!! This 1930 film...the only sound film of Rodgers as far as I know.....is interesting and amusing I think. I wonder who the dude is who makes a cameo appearance by walking through, railroad lantern on one arm and a bat or stick of some sort in his other hand. And then the old lady sitting in a rocking chair and doing her sewing on the porch of the "Railroad Eating House." Poor acting, but great early country music. And a nice sharp print when viewed at 360p.

[pyrofella]

A master of the pick 'n' strum guitar - great stuff

[washcobootco]

R.I.P. Jimmie. TB's a bitch!



[washcobootco]

R.I.P. Jimmie. TB's a bitch!

[MrCraig1930]

I was 3 when Jimmie died in 1933. Everyone my age knows Jimmie is the Father of Country Music. I always loved listening to Jimmie on the Radio, my folks had his records, the Dirty 30s destroyed the record player.

[colemike100]

one of the great country ledgends, its a shame ya dont hear great classics like this much

[Abner0322]

My grandmother had a stack of Jimmie Rodgers records and an old wind up victrola with a broken spring (Mississippi in the1950's). But I found that I could play the records by spinning them using my finger.  I spent many hours listening to them. What would the music world be if we never had this man and his music?

[Thorum13]

Another great person who died too young...

[jmacbops]

Jimmie Rodgers was a star in the late 20's and early 30's but not many know him today. The premise is corny (would a brakeman wear patent leather shoes or have a Martin 000-45 with his name inlaid on the neck?) but this is the only film of Jimmie Rodgers performing. If you had seen him live back in the day that is how it would have looked. Priceless! Thanks for posting. (BTW, you can't see it in the film but that guitar has 'Thanks!" inlaid on the back.)

[Dannys998877]

@jmacbops I believe that Mrs. Rodgers gave Jimmie's guitar to Ernest Tubb. I don't recall hearing what has happened to the guitar upon Tubb's passing. Surly it deserves an honored place as an icon of country music history....right up there with Mother Maybelle Carter's Gibson L-5.

[jmacbops]

@Dannys998877 - The Martin 000-45 Jimmie used in that film is currently on display at the Jimmie Rodgers Museum in Meridian, Mississippi. Carrie Rodgers loaned it to Ernest Tubb after Jimmie's death and forty years later it was donated to the Jimmie Rodgers Museum.

[jmacbops]

Besides the 000-45 with his name on the fretboard, Jimmie also owned an Oscar Schmidt that he gave to Bill Bruner (who gave it to Hank Snow) that is on display at the Mountain Music Museum. Jimmie also used a Martin 00-18 at the 1927 Bristol Sessions. I believe that guitar is currently on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Jimmie was also known to have owned and played a Weymann that was stolen during Jimmie's lifetime.

[Dannys998877]

@jmacbops Thanks for the information about Jimmie Rodger's guitars. The musical instruments of iconic artists such as Rodgers deserve to be preserved. There is a clip on YouTube where Maybelle Carter talks about two guitars that she used before 1928, when she bought the Gibson L-5 that she subsequently used throughout her career. She said that she didn't know what happened to them. One or both were used for the early records, including the Bristol sessions.

[1973slimshady1973]

i love ny daddy havnt seen him in 36 yeays he was killed by cops in tucson arizona man oh man do i miss my daddy this song makes me cry every time i hear it R.I.P my best friend my daddy i love you very very much

[icut1]

Greatest country music singer hands down,also one of the best blues singer and guitarist too.He reminds me of Robert Johnson the way he sings.

[jaimev21]

man nobody can yodel like good ol jimmie rodgers

[frankthetank112244]

pure gold.

[WillShade]

A Columbia Victor Gem indeed!

[bamascot1]

My dad fought in WW2, was part of the D-day invasion. He played Jimmie Rodgers songs to the troops everyday. I can still remember setting next to him as he played these songs. My dad dies on Christmas Eve 1973 and I miss him so much. I know him and Jimmie are playing together now entertaining the angels in heaven.

[1973slimshady1973]

what about that coffee bitch

[TreblePop]

@1973slimshady1973  - Ask your sweet old daddy about the coffee when I'm done with him.

[markbird1965]

Ijust heared a friend sing this live at the whitby festival........superb song.....cant wait t play it myself

[highwayman012]

Legend. First real country singer although in his eyes he was just a singer. Nothing More. Nothing Less. But nowadays we can appreciate the immortal Jimmie Rodgers.

[matty8371]

he looks like he could've been elvis's daddy.

[bushwacker2008]

Jimmie Died May 26 1933.

timing was off but jimmies timing was really bad.

[Dannys998877]

@bushwacker2008 I've heard the comment that no one could play the guitar like Jimmie Rodgers, or would WANT to. (LOL) Simple chords with not much discernable rhythm. But what a great singer and recording artist he was! As far as I know, this Columbia short is the only film record of Rodgers in performance. How great that we have it.

[2manygits]

He sang three songs and he only got one lousy cup of coffee! He should have gotten a full breakfast out of that deal. :~)

[TheWhatsinaname]

@2manygits Lunch, as well!

[JackGrider]

@2manygits ha ha ha ha

[ThomasASwilling]

@2manygits If it's any consolation, the studio paid him plenty for making the film. ;)

[2manygits]

@ThomasASwilling Studio? Man, you just ruined it for me.... :>{

[lorgain2]

No doubt he brought country music to the world, he was a great favourite of my parents in Ireland those old records were in many an Irish home, great posting, thanks mado.

[lowbalancealert]

Amazing footage! Thanks for posting. I watch this several times a week.

[1navyfly]

My dad and jimmy ran togetehr for a while... this is the first song I learned.... my dad sang it all the time,

[buddyshuf]

so cool , he's the original standard

[z0mz0m]

I didn't think I'd find all of this on youtube.

[snotrag684]

I wonder where that martin guitar is?

[amanco45]

In the Jimmie Rodgers Museum in Meridian Mississippi. I saw it there back in 1992.

[WEIRDALROXMYSOX]

Unfortunately not being played! :)

[perumnx]

Uniquely gifted man

[1973slimshady1973]

my dad was killed in 74 i was born in 73 R.I.P. daddy

[L37212]

Holy cow! Who knew? Thank you, thank you, thank you. It amkes me wonder what ealse is out there.

[herringbone28]

Thank you so much for this piece of history! Jimmie Rogers was such a wonderful talent! It's so refreshing to hear such articulate guitar playing and singing without the pro tools of today! He truly is the "Father of Country Music". And he'd probably shit if he heard the puke that they call country today!

[kylecrazyford]

I'm fourtten and i love this music as does my friend, Jacob Atkinson. He loves waiting for a train and the yodel on Blue Yodel. My Fvaourite Is Daddy. My Dad Is In Australia, And I Haven't Seen Him In Four Years, like Jimmie "I Yearn for my Daddy."

[californialove760]

Phenomenal piece of music history. Thank you for posting this classic!

[panamintjoe]

thanks a bunch

[1973slimshady1973]

WOW I LOVE IT

[wcrooster1]

Rodgers died in 1933 at age 35 from TB. His career only lasted 6 years but recorded 111 songs and sold 20 million records during the depression.

[skeetabix36]

fantastic footage!!!

i first saw a clip of this on the first showing of the country documentary "lost highway" but was taken out when it was repeated on bbc3. i wonder why?

[1973slimshady1973]

WOW WOW WOW LOVE IT

[cooldog60]

This is great,Does anyone know where I can get a dvd of Jimmie.

[2manygits]

This video is available on a DVD or VHS titled "Times Ain't Like They Used To Be". I found my copy on eBay, and there are other sources such as Amazon. There is also a CD format, so be sure of what you're ordering. These three songs are the only video recording of Jimmie Rodgers, so if you're looking for more that this, you won't find it.

[retroeddie]

WOW!!! I didn't think footage of Jimmie Rodgers existed...what a treat!! I must show this to my dad as he is a huge Jimmie Rodgers fan...this will blow him away! Thanks soooooo much for posting this!

[whispperson]

Its Incredible that Footage of Jimmie Rodgers actually Exists as he Died A very long time ago.

But my Goodness How Wonderfull this is.

Thanks Very Much For This.

[sjsongs]

My Daddy passed away in September 2005 at the age of 81. He loved Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams Sr. This stuff is precious. Thanks. I owuld have loved to have had this stuff to show him before he passed.

[VA24541]

Wonderful!! Very hard to find any films of the Singin' Brakeman. He died  much too young.

[CHICOLEO666]

I love Jimmie Rodges!

[cflonnes]

I wish I could just see him sing his heart out without the quirky skit. You can tell he really wants to get into it, but the camera and such prohibit him. Go Jimmy! We still miss you.

[djord34]

Jimmy rodgers is the best country singer in the world! WE ALL LOVE HIM WISH WE COULD BRING HIM BACK , SO SADLY MISSED. he brought music to the world!please don,t take this off the internet! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx