James Clifford Dempsey (23 August1937 - 29 November 1997)
was an American singer, songwriter and top session guitarist. Jimmy Dempsey was
born in Atlanta Georgia with a rare brittle bone condition. Throughout his life
this condition resulted in 74 broken legs, 10 broken arms and a broken back. As
a result, Jimmy walked on crutches his entire life. For most people that’s
where the story would have ended. But for Jimmy, it was just the beginning.
At the age of 2 1/2 Jimmy began his career in the music
business as a child singer and radio personality with an appearance on the
Major Bowes National Network Radio Show in New York City. After that appearance
he was invited to sing at the famous Stage Door Canteen in Hollywood California
with Eddie Cantor, Phil Harris, Alice Faye and Betty Grable. Upon returning to
Atlanta at age 5 he began appearing at many live events and singing on 5 radio
shows a day. Between the ages of 8 and 11, he traveled on the weekends
throughout the south and in his home town of Atlanta, performing on stage shows
between the movie serial matinees with most of the major cowboy movie stars of
that era such as Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Tex Ritter and The Son's of the
Pioneers just to mention a few. He also did appearances with Bob Hope, Dean
Martin and Jerry Lewis, Bela Lagosi, Lon Chaney Jr. and the Three Stooges.
Throughout his teens he continued performing at local
events and became a very popular figure in the Atlanta area. He was a favourite
fixture for some time on the Atlanta TV Show - Ed Caparal’s Bandstand Matinee
where he amazed everyone with his dancing prowess even while on crutches. At
age 17 he began his recording career and by the age of 18, Jimmy bought his
first guitar. Within a week had taught himself well enough to play his first
show as a backup guitarist for the Lanny Frye Combo and then the Cherokee Boys
a popular local Atlanta band. Shortly after that, Jimmy put his own band
together and started doing local shows and dances in Atlanta and throughout the
south.
During the 50’s and 60’s Jimmy had a total of 12 released
and 5 unreleased vocal records. In the late 50’s, Jimmy started doing local
studio work that led to him recording and working for Bill Lowery, one of
music’s biggest producers and executives. While with Lowery, Jimmy did a lot of
work with two fledgling artists at that time named Jerry Reed and Ray Stevens.
Some of the other artists that Jimmy worked with through
Lowery were Joe South, Billy Jo Royal and The Vogues and on and on. By this
time, Jimmy was in high demand as a studio player in Atlanta, even lending his
skills on the guitar to rock and soul superstar Little Richard. He also
appeared at numerous events around town and throughout the south with a
multitude of stars such as Brenda Lee, Connie Stevens, Faron Young, Ray Price,
Carl Perkins and so many more.
He became the lead
guitarist for the Longhorn Ranch Boys, a popular Atlanta bar band, during the
1950s, and in 1958 began leading the Cherokee Country Boys, with whom he made
his recording debut. In 1962, Dempsey left the group to found his own trio.
Among his best-known singles were "Bop Hop" and "Rhode
Island Red," as well as humorous originals such as "Bessie Was a Good Old Cow" and "Betcha Can't Eat Just One." From the late '50s through the early '60s, Dempsey was part of the Ernest Tubb Radio Program; he also appeared on a German show, American Music.
Island Red," as well as humorous originals such as "Bessie Was a Good Old Cow" and "Betcha Can't Eat Just One." From the late '50s through the early '60s, Dempsey was part of the Ernest Tubb Radio Program; he also appeared on a German show, American Music.
Throughout the 60’s Jimmy also became very popular on the
Atlanta nightclub scene, sometimes playing several different clubs in the same
night. He might go from working a show with Aretha Franklin at one club to
headlining at a jazz club across town with the “Little” Jimmy Dempsey Trio.
In the 70’s Jimmy found himself in high demand for
session work in Nashville. Travelling back and forth from Atlanta to Nashville
on a weekly basis became increasingly inconvenient therefore Jimmy made the
difficult decision to move his family from his hometown of Atlanta to
Nashville. As th 70's drew to a close,
Jimmy, who had worked in the business since age 5, was contemplating retirement. To the shock of all who knew him, in 1980, at the ripe old age of 43, Jimmy simply unplugged his guitar and said his good-byes to Nashville and the recording business. Jimmy and his wife Tena fulfilled their dream of retiring to a big farm. He devoted a number of years to owning and training harness racing horses.
Jimmy, who had worked in the business since age 5, was contemplating retirement. To the shock of all who knew him, in 1980, at the ripe old age of 43, Jimmy simply unplugged his guitar and said his good-byes to Nashville and the recording business. Jimmy and his wife Tena fulfilled their dream of retiring to a big farm. He devoted a number of years to owning and training harness racing horses.
In September 1997, Jimmy received the “Atlanta Society of
Entertainers Musician of the Year Award”. Jimmy received yet another honour by
being named as an inductee into the Inaugural Class of the “North American
Country Music Hall of Fame”.
Jimmy died from a heart attack at his home 29 November
1997
(Edited mainly from littlejimmydempsey.com)
5 comments:
I only have one track of Little Jimmy Dempsey and it's included in this Ace CD compilation.
Any more of Jimmy's would be appreciated.
So for “The Rockin’ South – NRC” go here:
https://www86.zippyshare.com/v/uQ4LKGIr/file.html
01 The Cat - Rod Willis
02 The Rock-A-Round - Paul Peek
03 Baby Please Don't Leave - Sweetie Jones
04 The Coo - Wayne Cochran
05 The Little Moon Men - Lee George
06 Splashin' - The Shades
07 The Purple People Eater Meets The Witch Doctor - Joe South
08 Just Me And My Baby - Chuck Atha
09 Strollin' After Dark - The Shades
10 Robbin' The Cradle - Tony Bellus
11 Bop Hop - Little Jimmy Dempsey
12 Chills - Joe South
13 You Shouldn't Oughta Done It - The Night Owls
14 I Got A Girl - Tommy Roe & the Satins
15 Hey Little Nell - The Four Mints
16 Congratulations To Me - Darrell Glenn
17 Scratching On My Screen - Ric Cartey
18 I Love You So Much - Chuck Wiley
19 That's All Right - Ray Smith
20 Sheila - Tommy Roe & the Satins with the Flamingoes
21 Sweet Skinny Jenny - Paul Peek
22 Wolf - The Four Mints
23 My Baby Is Gone - Cleve Warnock
24 Will Travel - Rod Willis
25 I'm Snowed - Joe South
26 Pinch Me Quick - Jimmy Smith & the Ranch Hands
27 Black Knee Socks - Clyde Beavers
28 I'm Gonna Leave You - Walt Benton & the Diplomats
29 Baby That's Alright - Robert Gill & the Dreamers
30 I'm Happy - Robert Gill & the Gill-O-Teens
Rock’n’roll music built its history on the contribution of independent labels. Every major artist in the 1950s started with an independent. While some like Sun, Roulette and King became very well-known, there were many others whose contribution, though just as vital, have rarely been documented. These were the launching pads for artists who found fame elsewhere. Bill Lowery’s NRC was one such label.
Here’s some hot and rare rock’n’roll and rockabilly from the NRC group of labels (including Wonder, Judd, Fox and Sccottie) which launched the Atlanta, Georgia recording scene in the 1950’s.
(A big thank you to Jake @ Jukebox City for original post)
Thanks Bob for the ongoing guitar festival - great stuff!
Maybe this helps :
https://www69.zippyshare.com/v/13BQD4Qq/file.html
Thanks Jake, It seems three of the four tracks are by another Jimmy Dempsey (no relation to Little Jimmy). This one was born in Sebree, Kentucky and recorded for the local Janey & Link labels. cica 1960-61. This is all I can find on the net.
Regards, Bob
Did anyone know he was fascinated with radio premiums and put out several newsletters showing his collection?
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