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Jimmie Rodgers: The Life and Times of America's Blue Yodeler
Jimmie Rodgers (1897–1933), the first performer elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, was a folk hero in his own lifetime and has been idolized by fans and emulated by performers ever since. His life story has been particularly susceptible to romanticizing, marked as it was by humble origins, sudden success and fame, and an early death from tuberculosis.
Nolan Porterfield's biography banishes the rumors and myths that have long shrouded the Blue Yodeler's life story. Unlike previous writings about Rodgers, Porterfield's book derives from extensive and detailed research into original private letters, personal interviews, court records, and newspaper accounts. Jimmie Rodgers significantly expands and alters our knowledge of the entertainer's life and career, explaining the nature of his role in American culture of the Depression era and providing insightful background on the milieu in which he worked. Porterfield writes a preface for this edition.
Nolan Porterfield's biography banishes the rumors and myths that have long shrouded the Blue Yodeler's life story. Unlike previous writings about Rodgers, Porterfield's book derives from extensive and detailed research into original private letters, personal interviews, court records, and newspaper accounts. Jimmie Rodgers significantly expands and alters our knowledge of the entertainer's life and career, explaining the nature of his role in American culture of the Depression era and providing insightful background on the milieu in which he worked. Porterfield writes a preface for this edition.
- GenresMusicBiographyNonfiction
514 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 7, 2008
Reissue of the 1979 classic bio of the Singing Brakeman, but very little new information because Porterfield got everything right the first time round, and most of his primary sources are dead now. The greatest anecdote is about the tribe in Kenya who worships Jimmie Rodgers as a centaur-like sexual demigod called "Chemirocha," and uses his records in fertility rites for adolescent girls.
As America heads into economic recession, the story of a man with great songs but no future might just be as inspirational as it was during the Great Depression. Plus, his music makes me cry.
As America heads into economic recession, the story of a man with great songs but no future might just be as inspirational as it was during the Great Depression. Plus, his music makes me cry.
October 6, 2008
Arguably the definitive biography of Rodgers - the first American country music artist to gain extensive exposure outside the South - the book is also an interesting history of the early U.S. music industry.
“The Father of Country Music,” as Rodgers is now called, got started in the music business by, somewhat reluctantly, making his music more “country,” or in the terms used by the music labels of his day, “old-timey.” The idea of Ralph Peer, the Victor Records executive who famously signed Rodgers and The Carter Family during the same historic 1927 week in Bristol, Virginia, was to create music products distinct from the “jazz” (Tin Pan Alley pop tunes) that had saturated the music market of the time for several years, but was no longer selling well. Rodgers, who preferred “jazz” himself but also knew something about older music forms, crafted most of his body of work to fit the “hillbilly” model Peer developed. The way all of this came together is a good story, well-written by Porterfield, and worth a read for anyone interested in the history of the American roots music.
“The Father of Country Music,” as Rodgers is now called, got started in the music business by, somewhat reluctantly, making his music more “country,” or in the terms used by the music labels of his day, “old-timey.” The idea of Ralph Peer, the Victor Records executive who famously signed Rodgers and The Carter Family during the same historic 1927 week in Bristol, Virginia, was to create music products distinct from the “jazz” (Tin Pan Alley pop tunes) that had saturated the music market of the time for several years, but was no longer selling well. Rodgers, who preferred “jazz” himself but also knew something about older music forms, crafted most of his body of work to fit the “hillbilly” model Peer developed. The way all of this came together is a good story, well-written by Porterfield, and worth a read for anyone interested in the history of the American roots music.
June 18, 2012
Nolan Porterfield's classic on country blues legend Jimmie Rodgers reads like a Lord of the Rings novel, its story and writing are incredible but too many details and characters bog down the experience. Despite these faults the book should be read by any fans of country, blues, roots, Americana, Mississippi, and rock music. Porterfield tells Rodgers' story for the first time without romanticizing or a looseness with the facts. I highly recommend getting a complete Jimmie Rodgers box set and listening to the songs as he records them. Rodgers was one of the first superstars of any genre and is one of the most influential artists of all time. This is the definitive biography of America's Blue Yodeler.
August 4, 2025
Jimmie Rodgers was a six-star human
Every account from those who knew him paints the same picture: a generous, good-natured, hilarious, and upbeat man who truly loved life. Even as he battled tuberculosis, he “fought like a lion” and lived every day to the fullest. Beyond his character, Rodgers was a true original—blending vaudeville, jazz, blues, and hillbilly music into the foundation of what we now call country music.
This book is the best biography I’ve found on him. It’s thoroughly researched, and the author went the extra mile—traveling across the country to interview people who knew Jimmie personally. The result is a well-rounded, deeply human portrait that does justice to the man behind the music.
My only criticisms—and the reason I’m giving it four instead of five stars—is the author’s tendency to dismiss Rodgers as a songwriter, and his constant opinions about which songs are good and which songs are not.
Yes, he had help—anyone recording 110 songs in just five years would—but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a strong writer in his own right. Many of his biggest hits—like “T for Texas,” “Waiting for a Train,” and “Muleskinner Blues”—were his own compositions and have since become staples of American music. It’s unrealistic to expect one man to write every song in such a massive catalog, but that shouldn’t overshadow the iconic songs he did create.
Overall a good biography and a great read. I recommend it to anyone who loves Jimmies music, or the history of country music.
Every account from those who knew him paints the same picture: a generous, good-natured, hilarious, and upbeat man who truly loved life. Even as he battled tuberculosis, he “fought like a lion” and lived every day to the fullest. Beyond his character, Rodgers was a true original—blending vaudeville, jazz, blues, and hillbilly music into the foundation of what we now call country music.
This book is the best biography I’ve found on him. It’s thoroughly researched, and the author went the extra mile—traveling across the country to interview people who knew Jimmie personally. The result is a well-rounded, deeply human portrait that does justice to the man behind the music.
My only criticisms—and the reason I’m giving it four instead of five stars—is the author’s tendency to dismiss Rodgers as a songwriter, and his constant opinions about which songs are good and which songs are not.
Yes, he had help—anyone recording 110 songs in just five years would—but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a strong writer in his own right. Many of his biggest hits—like “T for Texas,” “Waiting for a Train,” and “Muleskinner Blues”—were his own compositions and have since become staples of American music. It’s unrealistic to expect one man to write every song in such a massive catalog, but that shouldn’t overshadow the iconic songs he did create.
Overall a good biography and a great read. I recommend it to anyone who loves Jimmies music, or the history of country music.
September 1, 2020
A great biography! Another reviewer commented "too many details and characters bog down the reading experience". True, it is a lengthy and difficult read, but an excellent and factual biography, the best biography of Jimmie Rodgers I have read. Also the history of recording and birth of country music is great. The author, Nolan Porterfield, is from my hometown, O'Donnell, Texas and the few pages covering Jimmie Rodgers' appearance in O'Donnell were an added bonus to me. I was so impressed with the phenomenal amount of research in this book. Outstanding biography.
September 11, 2016
Still the best, most complete and informative biography of the great singer who is often called the "father of country music." Rodgers was far more important than that -- his love of mountain follk songs, blues, and jazz, as well as his natural sophistication, led him to meld these forms into a new and deeply American popular form.
Additionally his life was in itself inspiring -- he knew he was likely to die young of tuberculosis before he began his professional career, in fact the diagnosis freed him to take a chance on auditioning for the RCA Victor company in North Carolina in 1927. Among these first recordings was "Sleep Baby Sleep" and "Blue Yodel Number 1" which eventually sold millions of copies.
Nolan Porterfield, as the title incicates, covers Rodgers' career and his place in the popular culture of his times.
Additionally his life was in itself inspiring -- he knew he was likely to die young of tuberculosis before he began his professional career, in fact the diagnosis freed him to take a chance on auditioning for the RCA Victor company in North Carolina in 1927. Among these first recordings was "Sleep Baby Sleep" and "Blue Yodel Number 1" which eventually sold millions of copies.
Nolan Porterfield, as the title incicates, covers Rodgers' career and his place in the popular culture of his times.
August 1, 2016
Twenty-five years in the making. Research and interviews about a favorite singer.
Many detailed stories about Rodgers.
Original letters sometimes debunking long held stories.
Porterfield recognizes it is good he didn't try to actually start writing 25 years ago. He wasn't ready for the task.
Many records (LPs) were released and rereleased in the years following Rodgers death. For a time it a
time it appeared Rodgers was just as popular (or maybe more so) after his death.
Many detailed stories about Rodgers.
Original letters sometimes debunking long held stories.
Porterfield recognizes it is good he didn't try to actually start writing 25 years ago. He wasn't ready for the task.
Many records (LPs) were released and rereleased in the years following Rodgers death. For a time it a
time it appeared Rodgers was just as popular (or maybe more so) after his death.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews