Which American singer-songwriter is widely regarded as "The Father of Country Music"?

James Charles Rodgers (9/8/1897-5/26/1933 Meridian Mississippi) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. Widely regarded as "The Father of Country Music", he was best known for his distinctive rhythmic yodeling (also jodeling, a form of singing which involves rapid changes in pitch). Unusual for a music star of his era, Rodgers rose to prominence based upon his recordings, among country music's earliest, rather than concert performances-which followed to similar public acclaim.

His genres included, country and blues. Rodgers was not only a vocalist but he played acoustic guitar and tenor banjo. His associated acts included The Tennessee Ramblers, Louis Armstrong and Will Rogers.

He has been cited as an inspiration by many artists and inductees into various halls of fame across both country music and the blues, in which he was also a pioneer. Among his other popular nicknames are " The Singing Brakeman" and "The Blue Yodeler".

Rodgers first job was being a water boy with the railroad. This is where he was taught to pick and strum by railroad workers and hobos.

In 1924 at the age of 27, Rodgers was diagnosed with tuberculosis. The disease temporarily ended his railroad career, but at the same time gave him the chance to get more into the entertainment industry. He organized a traveling road show and performed across the southwestern U.S.