Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933), the “Father of Country Music,” shaped generations of artists —from Ernest Tubb, Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, and Bob Dylan to today’s Colter Wall and Charley Crockett. A member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rodgers even called Texas home for a few years, leaving his stamp on the Hill Country and San Antonio.
In 1929, seeking relief from tuberculosis, Rodgers and his family moved to Kerrville, where he built his retreat known as the “Blue Yodeler’s Paradise.” Locals could often spot the “Singing Brakeman” strumming his guitar at Pampell’s Drug Store, a favorite hangout that also sold his records.
Despite his declining health, Rodgers never slowed down. He toured relentlessly with various vaudeville groups such as the RKO circuit, and when San Antonio’s Majestic Theater opened its doors in 1929, he headlined the very first show—earning an incredible 18 curtain calls that night!
By 1931, with the Great Depression hitting hard, Rodgers and his family relocated to a more modest home in San Antonio’s Alamo Heights. He kept busy with a weekly radio show on KMAC and even rented a room at the historic Gunter Hotel whenever he wanted a change of scene.
During that period, he recorded two unforgettable tracks—“T.B. Blues” and “Travellin’ Blues”—for Victor Records. Two years later, during sessions in New York, Rodgers recorded for the last time before losing his battle with tuberculosis on May 26, 1933.
Today, the Institute of Texan Cultures proudly honors Jimmie Rodgers, whose music continues to inspire and shape popular culture. Explore our playlist to hear Rodgers’ timeless sound and the artists he influenced.
Enjoy the full playlist here!
All photos used from
https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/hall-of-fame/jimmie-rodgers