[78-L] The Yodeling Ranger or Singing Brakeman

[Cary Ginell]

Why? Pre-war country music was filled with Jimmie Rodgers imitators. Rodgers' song "Yodeling Ranger" inspired Hank Snow to give himself that nickname when performing on Canadian radio stations. Ernest Tubb also started out as a Rodgers imitator. Rodgers' own cousin, Jesse Rodgers, tried to capitalize on Jimmie Rodgers' celebrity by recording for his old company, Victor. Gene Autry and Jimmie Davis, both of whom developed their own unique styles in later years, started out by doing keen imitations of Rodgers. Autry was actually a better guitar player than Rodgers was. 

Snow's early recordings for Canadian Bluebird were all labeled as "Hank, the Yodeling Ranger," which gave way to "Hank, the Singing Ranger" when he started writing his own material. 

I annotated a six-CD box set for Bear Family on the Jimmie Rodgers influence, which continues to this day. The set includes recordings of songs inspired by Rodgers' career by artists such as Bill & Charlie Monroe, Cliff Carlisle, Buddy Jones, Roy Rogers, Bob Wills, and dozens more.

Cary Ginell

On Oct 21, 2012, at 12:14 PM, "Ray" <kil at roadrunner.com> wrote:

> Thanks Cary and Roger.  I take your word, but I remain flabbergasted. 
>> 
>> 
> From: Cary Ginell 
> It is Canadian country star Hank Snow, a huge JR fan. 
> 
> 
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