Elmer Alley
DOB Unknown – June 9, 2008
Elmer Alley’s career spanned radio, television, cable television and the record industry, but he is probably best known as one of the creators of Nashville’s Fan Fair and Opryland. As a recording engineer, Alley worked on records by, among others, Hank Williams and Burl Ives. He passed away on June 9, 2008 at the age of 87.
Conway Twitty (Born Harold Jenkins)
September 1, 1933 – June 5, 1993
During his time, Conway Twitty was one country music’s most successful artists, landing 45 singles at the #1 slot of the music charts. Twitty was already singing on his local radio station by the time he hit his early teens, while also excelling at baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies were interested in signing him when he got out of high school, but the US Army beat them to the punch. After serving his country, Twitty took a cue from Elvis Presley headed down his musical path by way of Sun Studios in Memphis. Twitty would eventually release of string of hits that spanned country, rock ‘n roll and R & B. His first single, “It’s Only Make Believe” sold a staggering 8 million copies. In 1982, Twitty opened an entertainment complex called Twitty City, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Tennessee at the time. While on tour in 1993, Twitty became ill and passed away of an abdominal aneurysm. He was 59 years old.
Jimmy Murphy
October 11, 1925 – June 1, 1981
Jimmy Murphy was respected virtuoso guitarist, singer and songwriter who made his mark on country and rockabilly during the ’50s and early ’60s. Working as a brick layer during the late ’40s, Murphy found time to make appearances on local radio programs which lead to a meeting with Chet Atkins whose help ultimately got him signed to RCA Records in 1951. Over the next ten years or so, Murphy released a series of near-hits, but unfortunately, his old-timey themes never quite connected with the modern country listeners looking for their next Nashville hit. Murphy all but retired from music when a re-issue of his music sparked new interest during the ’70s leading him to record Electricity for the Sugar Hill label. The album is notable for being one of future great, Ricky Skaggs’ earliest recordings. Jimmy Murphy was preparing for another album and a large-scale tour when he died unexpectedly on June 1, 1981. He was 55.
Jerry Cole
September 23, 1939 – May 28, 2008
Jerry Cole was one of surf music’s original guitar gods. Besides being a much in demand session player, Cole had his own group, the Spacemen, with whom he released four classic albums of “space age surf music.” As a sideman, Cole played on the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, and the Byrds‘ “Mr. Tamborine Man. He was also part of Phil Spector’s “wrecking crew,” affording him the opportunity to play on countless other songs. Cole could also be heard as part of the house band on TV’s “Shindig” and “Hullabaloo.” He died of a heart attack on May 28, 2008.
Jimmie Rodgers
September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933
Known as “The Singing Brakeman,” Jimmie Rodgers was one of country music’s first superstars, best known for his yodeling. A natural showman at an early age, Rodgers began arranging traveling road shows while still in his early teens. To keep him an eye on him, Rodgers’ father got him a job as a waterboy at the rail yard at which he worked. It was there that Rodgers began learning the guitar from hobos and rail workers. When he was 27, Rodgers came down with tuberculosis. Although it eventually put an end to his career with the railroad, it didn’t stop him from performing and recording. Rodgers recorded several records in the late ’20s, including “Blue Yodel” (or “T For Texas” as it was commonly known) which would make him a household name. By the early ’30s, Rodgers was mostly retired from the road due to the health problems brought on by the tuberculosis. In May of 1933, he traveled to New York for what would be his final recording sessions. It has been said that he needed to lay down and rest between each song. Rodgers died of a lung hemorrhage just two days after his final recording session. He was just 35.
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