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Songwriter, singer Jimmie
Skinner was born on a farm near Berea, Kentucky. His early
influence in hillbilly music like many folks then was Jimmie
Rodgers. Later on, Jimmie’s family moved to Hamilton, Ohio
where as recently as the mid-1950s, he still made his home.
Jimmie recorded on several
labels. His first recordings appeared on the Radio Artist
label. From there, he moved to Capitol records for a couple of
years. Later, he moved to the Decca label.
Jimmie was also a bit of a
business person. When he was in Ohio, he started up a large
record store with his manager, Lou Epstein called “Jimmie
Skinner Music Center” that was located at 222 East 5th Street
in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jimmie’s store specialized in country and
gospel recordings and was reported to have one of the largest
selections to be found. They said their customers came from
servicemen overseas and other regular buyers from remote
places such as Hollywood, Alaska, Japan, Canada and other
countries. This shop was located just across the street from
the Greyhound bus station and only a block from the WCKY
studios, so you know visitors to Cincinnati found his store.
From his store, Jimmie had a
regular daily show from 9:00 to 10:00am, Monday through Friday
and from 12:00 noon to 1:00pm every Saturday over radio
station WNOP out of Newport, Kentucky.
To give you an idea of how far
a dollar went back then. Jimmie had a fan club at the time
that was run by Mrs. Lillian Munz. The dues were all of $1.00.
For that $1.00, you got three fan club journals, an
autographed picture of Jimmie and a membership card.
One of Jimmie’s band members
was a long time member and added a distinct sound that was
heard on most of his recordings. That sound was an electric
mandolin that was played by Ray Lunsford, who was from
Broadhead, Kentucky.
Credits & Sources:
Country Song
Roundup No. 32; June 1954; American Folk Publications, Inc.;
Derby, CT.
Dave Sichak
Hillbilly-Music.com
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