Died On This Date (April 2, 2012) Jimmy Little / Australian Aboriginal Singer-Songwriter

Jimmy Little
March 1, 1937 – April 2, 2012

Jimmy Little was a popular Australian aboriginal singer-songwriter who, over a career that spanned some 60 years, became one of the first indigenous musicians to find mainstream success in that country. Influenced by the likes of Nat King Cole, Jim Reeves, and Johnny Mathis, Little’s repertoire seemed to know no bounds. He was equally at home whether he was performing folk, country, or even reggae.  Although he released no fewer than 30 albums since he was first signed to a Regal Zonophone Records in 1956, his most popular proved to be 1999’s Messenger, which reached #26 on the Australian albums chart.  A tireless supporter of education for indigenous children, Little spent many hours teaching and mentoring.  He also started the Jimmy Little Foundation to promote good health and diet for the indigenous.  In 2004, the Australian people voted him a National Living Treasure, and in 2010, the APRA Awards recognized him for Outstanding Services To Australian Music.  Jimmy Little was 75 when he died of various health conditions on April 2, 2012.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com



Died OnThis Date (July 30, 2011) Trudy Stamper / Grand Ole Opry Pioneer

Trudy Stamper (Born Gertrude McClanahan)
DOB Unknown – July 30, 2011

Trudy Stamper was a country music pioneer who is perhaps best remembered for her tireless work on building the Grand Ole Opry brand.  Born and raised in Nashville, Stamper moved to New York City after college in order to pursue a career on the stage.  It was while back home visiting and talking up the theater scene, that she was overheard by an executive at the powerful WSM radio station and offered the chance to be one of the first female radio personalities in the United States.  While at WSM, Stamper hosted a shopping program and acted in several of the station’s soap operas until eventually moving off microphone to a position in artist relations for the Grand Ole Opry.  Through her New York connections, Stamper was able to bring the Opry to Carnegie Hall for two nights in 1947.  The performances which included Minnie Pearl and Ernest Tubb, helped introduce the Opry and country music in general to more “cosmopolitan” audiences.  She also handled Opry bookings and artist contracts for many years and eventually became the Public Relations Director for WSM and the Opry.  In 1961, Stamper publicized the Opry’s second event at Carnegie Hall.  That bill included Bill Monroe, Jim Reeves, Grandpa Jones, Faron Young, and one of her best friends, Patsy Cline.  She retired from the music business in 1964.  Trudy Stamper was 94 when she passed away on July 30, 2011.



Died On This Date (July 31, 1964) Jim Reeves / Country Music Icon

Jim Reeves
August 20, 1923 – July 31, 1964

When Jim Reeves graduated from college, he played semi-pro baseball until he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1944.  An ankle injury put the brakes on his baseball career while still in the farm system.  Reeves soon turned his sights on music and by the late ’40s was making records and was part of Moon Mulican’s band.  Reeves later made his solo radio debut on the highly influential program, Louisiana Hayride, reportedly as a last-minute replacement for Hank Williams.  He eventually signed with RCA Records where, with the help of producer, Chet Atkins he released a string of hits including “Four Walls” and “He’ll Have To Go.”  His smooth voice and style came to exemplify the “Nashville Sound.”   Jim Reeves died when the small plane he was piloting crashed in bad weather over Tennessee.  He was 40 years old.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Essential Jim Reeves - Jim Reeves

Died On This Date (January 1, 1967) Moon Mullican / Country Music Great

Aubrey “Moon” Mullican
March 29, 1909 – January 1, 1967

moonmullicanIn a perfect world, you wouldn’t need to tell you who Moon Mullican was.  As a singer, songwriter a pianist associated with country music, what he was doing would be called rock ‘n roll some ten or so years later.   By combining elements of hillbilly, jazz and blues, he created a sound and a fury that was a direct influence on Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Jim Reeves and Bill Haley.  He is rumored to have been the uncredited co-writer of Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya.”  Mullican passed away in the early morning hours of January 1, 1967 after suffering a heart attack the previous day.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Moon Mullican

Died On This Date (December 31, 1997) Floyd Cramer / Country Great

Floyd Cramer
October 27, 1933 – December 31, 1997

cramer

Floyd Cramer was a legendary country pianist who is considered one of the foundations of the “Nashville Sound.”  Cramer got his start in music in 1953 when he recorded his first record, “Dancin’ Diane” which lead to a tour with a then unknown Elvis Presley.  In 1955, Cramer moved to Nashville and became one of the city’s busiest session players.  He soon found himself playing on records by Presley, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves and Roy Orbison, to name a few.   Cramer released several albums on his own as well.  From those came such hits as “Last Date,” “San Antonio Rose,” and “On The Rebound.”  Floyd Cramer was 67 when he died of lung cancer on December 31, 1997.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Floyd Cramer