The Singing Brakeman

Jimmie Rodgers. He started working on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad at age 13. There, he learned to pick and strum a guitar from rail workers and hobos. He sang songs of travelling, the railroad life, heartache and disease. He was diagnosed with TB in '24 at age 27. Made his last recording "Years Ago" in May 1933 in New York City studio 2 days before the illness overtook him.