James Houston Davis was born eldest of eleven children on
September 11, 1899, in Quitman, Louisiana. James, better known as Jimmie,
became a both legend in Country music and in Louisiana politics.
After receiving a master's
degree at Louisiana State University, Davis began recording Jimmie Rogers-like
hillbilly songs while working as a clerk of criminal court in Shreveport. In
1940, he recorded his most famous composition "You Are My Sunshine," which sold
over one million copies in the U.S.
Jimmie Davis served two terms as governor of Louisiana (1944 and
1960), winning both campaigns with the help of his band. "When I was in
office," he told Country Music in 1975, "a few of the boys, we'd get together
and have a session at the Governor's mansion or down at the creek. You know,
you can't carry your political burdens around 24 hours a day."
Governor Davis' public career also included a stint in
Hollywood, making cameo appearances in western films, and starring in the movie
Louisiana, based on his life story. In 1972, he was inducted into the Country
Music Hall of Fame. Jimmie Davis died in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on November 5,
2000.
After receiving a master's
degree at Louisiana State University, Davis began recording Jimmie Rogers-like
hillbilly songs while working as a clerk of criminal court in Shreveport. In
1940, he recorded his most famous composition "You Are My Sunshine," which sold
over one million copies in the U.S.