.

Cajun-Country Pioneer Jimmy C. Newman Dead At 86

06/24/2014
.
(Radio.com) Grand Ole Opry star and Cajun-country pioneer Jimmy C. Newman, a.k.a. "the Alligator Man," passed away this past Saturday night (June 21) in Nashville. He was 86.

Newman was a native of Louisiana and was born in the town of Mamou in 1927. As a kid he was a fan of Jimmie Rodgers, and he later formed his own band. His local success earned him a spot as a member of the famed Louisiana Hayride, one of country music's most popular and prestigious radio shows, second only to the Opry. Performers on the Hayride included Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, Webb Pierce and Elvis Presley.

Newman eventually earned songwriting contract with Acuff-Rose Music and a recording contract with Dot Records. He recorded country singles like "A Fallen Star" and "Cry, Cry, Darling," but he became best known for mixing country and Cajun influences on songs such as "Diggy Liggy Lo," "Bayou Talk" and "Alligator Man." The latter became his nickname and theme song.

Newman joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1956 and remained a fixture there the rest of his life. He last performed there with his band Cajun Country on June 6. more on this story

Radio.com is an official news provider for antiMusic.com.
Copyright Radio.com/CBS Local - Excerpted here with permission.

Jimmy C. Newman CDs, DVDs and MP3s

Jimmy C. Newman T-shirts and Posters

Share this article

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it Share on Reddit email this article


...end