Jimmie Davis

Jimmie Davis (1962)

James "Jimmie" Houston Davis (born September 11, 1899 in Beech Springs , Jackson Parish , Louisiana , † November 5, 2000 in Baton Rouge , Louisiana) was an American country singer , songwriter and two-time governor of the state of Louisiana.

Life

Beginnings

Jimmie Davis came from a poor farming family. Despite adverse circumstances, he managed to graduate from school, which enabled him to study at Louisiana State University . During his student days he performed variously as a singer on local radio stations. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1927, he taught history at a college.

Career

In 1929 he received a record deal from Victor Records . As one of many Jimmie Rodgers imitators, he recorded nearly forty singles. It was the time of the economic depression and sales were correspondingly poor. In terms of style, Davis developed increasingly towards the blues . He achieved a certain degree of popularity through slippery texts. Real success came after a move to Decca Records . In 1934 he had his first hit there with Nobody's Darlin 'But Mine .

In parallel to his musical activities, Davis was politically active. In 1938 he was elected Shreveport Police Chief . Two years later he made his musical breakthrough. Together with Charles Mitchell, he wrote the world hit You Are My Sunshine , which was covered by almost all the greats of the time and later became one of the official hymns of Louisiana. Thanks to his new popularity, he became Minister of the Interior of his home state in 1942. The new assignment didn't stop him from appearing in several Hollywood westerns. In 1944 he was elected Governor of Louisiana.

During his four-year tenure, he continued his musical career with undiminished energy. Five of his singles made it into the top ten of the country charts from 1944 to 1947, including the track There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder , with which he reached the top spot, which was in the top 10 for 18 weeks in the late 1940s For years he turned to gospel music. In 1960 the Democrat ran again for the office of governor and won. It was the time of the race riots. Davis, a proponent of segregation , won, but then took a moderate stance that did much to ease the heated mood.

Records continued to be released at regular intervals. In 1969, after more than forty years, his contract with Decca expired. He continued with a smaller label. In 1971 he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame , and a year later into the Country Music Hall of Fame . Davis remained active into the 1990s. He died on November 5, 2000 at the age of 101.

Discography

• 1983 - Sounds Like Jimmie Rodgers
• 1981 - Heaven's National Anthem
• 1976 - Jimmie Davis Live!
• 1975 - Sunshine
• 1975 - Living by Faith
• 1974 - Souvenirs of Yesterday
• 1974 - Let Me Be There
• 1974 - Christ Is My Sunshine
• 1973 - God's Last Altar Call
• 1972 - What a Happy Day
• 1972 - Memories Coming Home
• 1971 - Old Baptizing Creek
• 1970 - Songs of Consolation
• 1969 - Let Me Walk with Jesus
• 1969 - In My Father's House
• 1969 - Amazing Grace
• 1968 - Singing the Gospel
• 1967 - His Marvelous Grace
• 1967 - Going Home for Christmas
• 1966 - Near the Cross
• 1966 - My Altar
• 1966 - Gospel Hour
• 1965 - Still I Believe
• 1965 - At the Crossing
• 1964 - It's Christmas Time Again
• 1964 - Highway to Heaven
• 1963 - Do Lord
• 1963 - Beyond the Shadows
• 1962 - Songs of Faith
• 1962 - How Great Thou Art
• 1961 - Sweet Hour of Prayer
• 1961 - Someone's Watching over You
• 1960 - Supper Time
• 1960 - Someone to Care
• 1960 - No One Stands Alone
• 1959 - You Are My Sunshine
• 1958 - The Door Is Always Open
• 1958 - Hail Him With a Song
• 1957 - Hymn Time
• 1955 - Near the Cross

Remarks

1. ^ Whitburn, Joel: The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits. 1944-2006 . 2nd Edition. New York, NY: Billboard Books, 2006, p. 99

Web links

• Jimmie Davis in the database of Find a Grave (English)
• The governors of Louisiana (English)
• Jimmie Davis in the National Governors Association (English)