Photo-of-the-Week #60 – Jimmie Rodgers Museum, Meridian, Mississippi, September 2003

These are some of the furnishings from the home of Jimmie Rodgers, considered to be “The Father of Country Music.” Like Hank Williams, maybe a better known country singer from the late 40’s and early 50’s, Jimmie Rodgers made a major musical impact during a short lifetime, dying in 1933 at only 35 years old. (Williams died at only 29).

Visiting the Jimmie Rodgers Museum in Meridian was almost like a pilgrimage for my buddy, Dave, as we were traveling to New Orleans to meet up with some friends. If you love music, then you know there are these special Mecca’s of music all over the U.S. It hardly seems right to pass up these “hallowed” places and not pay homage to the people who gave voice to our country in song.

What a trip that was. A chance to pay respects to “The Singing Brakeman” and “The Blue Yodeler” as he was also known and then end up in New Orleans where so much great jazz, including Dixieland came from. Add to that more great blues, Cajun and New Orleans style rock and roll. My friend had to fly back to Washington, DC since he was still gainfully employed by the Voice of America. I traveled on to Texas where I spent a little time in Austin. That’s a great place for music, too. It’s Not too far from where the original Gillies Club operated by country music singer Mickey Gillies was located or Willie Nelson’s ranch and recording studio and the long-running Public TV show, Austin City Limits.

What a great country.