James Charles Rodgers, born September 8, 1897, was a prominent American singer-songwriter and guitarist in the late 1920s.
Rodgers was born in Meridian, Mississippi, according to legend; but, on documents, Rodgers signed later in life, his birthplace was stated as Geiger, Alabama, the home of his paternal grandparents.
Nonetheless, historians such as Nolan Porterfield and Barry Mazor, who have examined the circumstances surrounding that document, continue to claim Pine Springs, Mississippi, just north of Meridian, as his true birthplace.
Rodgers’ mother died when he was about six or seven years old, and he spent the following few years living with various relatives in southeast Mississippi and southwest Alabama, near Geiger.
What was the cause of Jimmie Rodgers death?
Jimmie Rodgers was diagnosed with TB in 1924. He was only 27 years old at the time.
His declining health made it difficult for him to complete the international travels he had planned eight years later.
Rodgers attempted to book personal engagements during the spring of 1933 but had little success.
Nonetheless, Rodgers traveled to New York in May of that year to fulfill his Victor Records commitment for twelve more recordings.
It took him a week to finish this series of workouts. He managed to record four songs on the first day.
He did, however, have to record himself sitting down the next day. Rodgers struggled at the last recording session.
He was so feeble that he required the assistance of a nurse and needed to rest on a cot between takes.
Rodgers collapsed on the street two days later and died a few hours later.
He was laid to rest in Meridian, Mississippi, which has hosted the annual Jimmie Rodgers Memorial Festival since 1953 to commemorate Rodgers’ death anniversary.
