Jimmie Davis

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

Jimmie Davis was born into a poor farming family. Despite adverse circumstances, he managed a high school diploma, which enabled him to study at Louisiana State University. During his studies, he joined variously as vocalist on local radio stations. After completing his bachelor's degree in 1927, he taught at a college history.

Career

In 1929 he was awarded by Victor Records a record contract. As one of many Jimmie Rodgers impersonators he played a nearly forty singles. It was a time of economic depression, and the sales figures were correspondingly poor. Stylistically, Davis developed rapidly in the blues. He achieved a certain level of recognition by raunchy texts. Real successes came only after a change to Decca Records. In 1934 he succeeded there with Nobody's Darlin ' But Mine, the first hit.

In addition to his musical activities, Davis operated politically. In 1938 he was elected sheriff of Shreveport. Two years later, he achieved his musical breakthrough. Together with Charles Mitchell he wrote the worldwide hit You Are My Sunshine, who later became one of the official anthems of Louisiana was covered by almost all the great men of the era, and. Thanks to its new popularity, he was Minister of the Interior in 1942 in his home State. The new task does not stop him from, participate 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 from 1944 to 1947 in the top ten on the country charts, including the title There's A New Moon Over My Shoulder, with whom he reached the top spot, the title listed 18 weeks in the top 10 end of the forties he turned to years of gospel music. 1960 Democrat candidate again for the office of governor and won. It was a time of racial unrest. Davis, a supporter of segregation, won, but then took a moderate attitude, which contributed much to defuse the volatile situation.

Periodically still records were published. 1969, after more than forty years, his contract ran out with Decca. With a smaller label, he went on. In 1971 he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, a year later in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Davis remained active until the nineties into it. On 5 November 2000, he died at the age of 101 years.

Discography

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