If there was one megastar of early country music it was him. At one time in his career he sold more records than all other country artist together. And to this day his work was never out of print. At the start of his career prospects looked rather dim for the young singer from Meridian, Mississippi, who suffered from tuberculosis that he might have caught working as a breakman on the railroads. Either too weak or too lazy for regular work he turned to the music business, but with very little success. But when he auditioned for Ralph Peer in Bristol TN. he turned another page in the book of musical history. Combining a Yodeling style he might have pitched off Emmett Miller, with songs he collected all over the south, he made a lasting impression on Peer. His Blue Yodel No. 1 also known as "T- For Texas" became an instant hit and remained a classic to this day for Country and Rock musicians alike. Though he was a highly successful recording artist, he knew from the beginning that his career was not to be long. He jumped across all cultural barriers even recording with Lois Armstrong. Still his state of health was declining further. Morphine injections eased the pains but nothing could stop his tuberculosis.To support his family he recorded right up to his death in 1933.