Jimmy C Newman has Passed On

[Russ Wever]

Word from Randy Mason
that Jimmy C has gone on.
My God keep his soul and
comfort his family and
friends.
~Rw


Obituary & Story per VVN:

Grand Ole Opry star Jimmy C. Newman, a country hitmaker during the
50's and 60's, passed away on Saturday after a short illness. He was 86.

Active in country music since the early 50's and a member of the Grand Ole
Opry since 1956, Newman last performed at the Opry show on Friday, June 6.

Born Jimmy Yves Newman in Big Mamou, LA, Newman was drawn early to country
and the music of Gene Autry along with the local Cajun music. Both were major
influences when he started performing with Chuck Guillory's Rhythm Boys during the 40's.

Newman recorded for Future Records in the late-40's without success but the owner of the
label, J.D. Miller, took Jimmy under his wing and eventually convinced Fred Rose to get him
signed to Dot Records. It was there that Newman hit big with Cry, Cry Darling
(1954 / #4 country), the first of what would become eleven top ten country hits.

The record's success got him an offer to become a regular performer on the Louisiana Hayride.
Newman's career continued to grow and, in 1955 and 1956, he put together a string of four straight
country top tens (Daydreamin' (1955 / #7 country), Blue Darlin' (1955 / #7 country), God Was So
Good (1956 / #9 country), Seasons of the Heart (1956 / #9 country).

It was also in 1956 that he was asked to join the Grand Ole Opry, following it as year later with his
biggest hit, A Fallen Star which made it to number 2 on the Country Singles and 23 on the Pop charts.

Once established as a country star, Newman began to bring more of the Cajun music from his youth
into his sound, leading to his theme song Alligator Man (1962 / #22 country) and the forming of his
band, Cajun Country, He moved even farther into Cajun music once his string of country hits ended
in the mid-60's. He recorded a number of albums in the style over the rest of his career, including
one that received a Grammy nomination in 1991.

Newman is credited with giving a boost to the early songwriting career of Tom T. Hall, recording his
song D.J. For a Day in 1963 and making it a top ten country hit. He also gave Dolly Parton an early
break giving her part of his Friday Night Opry time slot in 1959 for her to make her Opry debut.

Newman is a member of the Cajun Hall of Fame, Cajun Music
Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

A public service for Newman will be held on
Wednesday at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

[Daniel McKee]

I really liked to hear him on the opry. He had so many great records especially those early Dot records in the 1950's

[Paul King]

Sadly many of the Grand Ole Opry stars have passed. I remember many times seeing Jimmy on the Opry and the Cajun music he played. He will definitely be missed.

[Jack Stoner]

Sad to hear this. I just heard him on the Opry a couple of weeks ago.

Jimmy was one of our R.O.P.E. members.

[Tommy Shown]

Jimmy was a great entertainer, a showman. A RARE quality that is not found in the business today. He will be missed by many. By many of those who appreciate TRUE COUNTRY MUSIC. He has got those Angels in Heaven dancing to " Big MAMOU", "ALONS ALA LAFAYETTE". And other great songs.

Tommy Shown
SMFTBL

[Gary Cooper]

Another sad day for traditional country music fans. The generation of the truly great county music singers and bands is disappearing like a vapor. Jimmy C was a great one. My deepest sympathy to all of his family.

[Sonny Jenkins]

He was my first "real" professional gig,,,a 3 week jaunt of mall parking lots (atop a semi trailer), car dealerships, grand openings etc,,,,(an innocent 16 year old kid that thought,,,,"man,,this is the life for me,,,LOL"),,,that was before he was Jimmy "C" Newman,,,Just plain Jimmy Newman,,,,don't remember as much of a cajun accent back in those days as in his later career. I think Cry Cry Darling was his big song back then,,,,seems like it was mostly pick up musicians along the way. I came home and found that instead of being my girlfriends big time musician hero, she had already found someone to keep more dependable company,,,,LOL,,,so,,,,broken hearted and disillusioned me,,,a few months later turned 17 and joined the Navy,,,(I showed'em,,,,out of the frying pan into the fire,,,,aahhh,,,the "wisdom" of youth,,,,LOL)

My deepest condolences to his family!!!

[Richard Sinkler]

It really saddens me to hear this. RIP brother. Aayyeee!!!

[Michael Breid]

I worked a show back in 1971 with Jimmy C., and I must say I have never met a more professional gentleman. He was such a joy to work with. We had a sixteen year old fiddler who was just learning to play Cajun style fiddle, and kept Jimmy in grins all during his performance. Jimmy kept saying, "Man, you sound just like my man Rufus Thibadeaux. How can you be so young and be able to play Cajun fiddle like that?" The audience loved him, and it took a week to get the swelling of the kid's head to go down. I always enjoyed his part of the televised Op'ry. Some of which I video taped. We'll saw you awhile ago Mr. Jimmy. May you liven up that Heavenly band. You'll never know the pleasure you brought us with your Cajun music.

[Ron Whitworth]

He will be missed by many.
I did not know him personally but have spoke to several
musicians who worked with him over the years here & there
& they all had nothing but good & kind things to say about him & his family - that says a lot about the man!
My condolences to all his family & friends.
RIP Jimmy C.
Ron

[Gene Jones]

Back in the 1960's I worked a tour with the Alligator man. He was a gentleman and a pro and easy to work with. Seems like the entertainers from that era are going away faster than WWII vets.

[Willis Vanderberg]

Plus he did it all without smoke and mirrors,a big light show and toe dancers and so forth.
This generation of great showman is leaving us too fast.
Rest in peace Jimmy..

Old Bud

[Jerry Hayes R.I.P.]

He always had a cookin' band working with him. I especially enjoyed "Bessel" (can't spell his last name) on the Cajun accordion. Jimmy had a very hot lead guitarist who played a beat up old Telecaster and used a thumbpick. Anyone remember him?....RIP Jimmy......JH in va.

[Mark Moseley]

He did keep good musical company. I recall a couple of songs he had Curly Chalker doing the steel work. that was good. also, Didn't Jimmy C do one called "Ill be dropping out of sight for awhile"? that was one of my favorites.

[pdl20]

RIP Jimmy, You will always be remembered Sir. I always enjoyed your music.

[Tracy Sheehan]

I did a couple of tours with Jimmy back in the 60s and he was a great and fun guy to work with. Every time we would stop at a gas station to use the rest room he would say they put the mirrors up for Jimmy Dickens as he was so tall and had to stoop over to see in them.

The last time I saw him was at the S.D. state fair where he was playing. I wasn't playing for him then. We talked about old times and Rufus Thibodeaux. Forget who Rufus was with at the time. Before that Rufus and I had played together in the same band for a long time.

I may have told this before but I was the steel player and had first learned fiddle. Rufus would not play the OBS so I would take his fiddle and play it to keep peace with the club owners and audience. Those were the days my friend and sure hated to see then end. Tracy

[Chris Brooks]

Tracy, are you the steeler on the Jimmy C Newman And Cajun Country videos? On "Happy Cajun" and "Big Mamou."

Whoever it is (mustache, plays a Zum) is awesome. Check out the kickoff and solos in Big Mamou. Yee-haw! Tres tres bons.

Chris

[Tracy Sheehan]

Tracy, are you the steeler on the Jimmy C Newman And Cajun Country videos? On "Happy Cajun" and "Big Mamou."

Whoever it is (mustache, plays a Zum) is awesome. Check out the kickoff and solos in Big Mamou. Yee-haw! Tres tres bons.

Chris

No Chris that is not me. Tracy

[Joe Casey]

News from Heaven, lest les Bon tend Roule'

[Russ Wever]

He did keep good musical company.
I recall a couple of songs he had
Curly Chalker doing the steel work.
that was good. . . .

~> click

[Ernie Renn]

Jimmy and Buddy go way back. Jimmy was the very first session Buddy recorded in Nashville.

The tune was Seasons of My Heart from 1956...

[Micky Byrne]

I had the pleasure to watch him twice in U.K. Great entertainer, and always a top notch band with him. R.I.P. Jimmy.

Micky "scars" Byrne U.K.