“Father of Country Music” Jimmie Rodgers’ Time in Western North Carolina to Be Recognized

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - July 2, 2013 - PRLog -- Asheville is a city that prides itself on its musical heritage, but few people know that in 1927, music legend and “Father of Country Music,” Jimmie Rodgers lived and had his radio debut here.  On Sunday, September 8^th, 2013, WNCmusic.Org will be recognizing Jimmie Rodgers’ contribution to Asheville’s musical history by celebrating his 106^th birthday in Downtown Asheville with a public ceremony unveiling a state historical marker and an evening reception at Asheville Music Hall.

Jimmie Rodgers typifies the struggle that many musicians still experience in Western North Carolina and across the country.  Unable to find work on the railroad, he took a variety of odd jobs to support his family and make ends meet.  The charismatic Rodgers also booked music gigs wherever he could find them, talking his way into a radio debut on newly started WWNC, and joining up with the Tenneva Ramblers, later named the Jimmie Rodgers Entertainers.  It was in Asheville that he heard about a Victor Records scout named Ralph Peer, which ultimately led him to pursue his dream by recording for Victor in Bristol.   Jimmie’s recordings for them became so popular that he was receiving $1000 a week in royalties alone.  Local papers declared “Asheville’s Own” Rodgers’ “triumphant return” in 1929 when he played two dates at the Asheville Auditorium.  According to the Country Music Hall of Fame, "Gene Autry, Ernest Tubb, Hank Snow, Lefty Frizzell, Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Tanya Tucker, and Dolly Parton are only a few of the dozens of stars who have acknowledged the impact of Jimmie Rodgers’s music on their careers."

It is WNCmusic.Org’s motto that “Masters Deserve Recognition” and to this end, it is our pleasure that the State of North Carolina is acknowledging Jimmie Rodgers’ time here.  To celebrate, we are asking the mayor to declare September 8^th, 2013 as “Jimmie Rodgers Day” in Asheville. In the afternoon, a public ceremony unveiling a state historical marker will be held downtown with speakers and musicians.  Afterwards, the festivities will continue into the evening at Asheville Music Hall where local musicians will perform both covers and originals, while sharing their uniquely Asheville music story.  An emphasis will be on the role musicians have played in developing Asheville’s distinct place in history and the economic benefit they have provided to the community by enhancing tourism and attracting creative individuals for centuries.

WNCmusic.Org is a local organization devoted to unifying, advocating for, and promoting the Western North Carolina music industry across all genres.  It is our mission to recognize and support the many talented musicians in our community.  Jimmie Rodgers Day is an opportunity to highlight the legacy of the hard working musicians in Western North Carolina, what they add to the culture, and the role they play in the economy.  Proceeds from the event will go to further WNCmusic.Org’s mission to provide support for Western North Carolina’s music industry, including resource sessions for musicians and fair pay at gigs.

WNCmusic.Org’s founder Dallas Taylor can be contacted at info@WNCmusic.Org.

For more information on WNCmusic.Org, visit us at http://www.WNCmusic.Org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WNCmusic.Org. Follow us on Twitter @WNCmusicOrg.