Forbert honors Jimmie Rodgers, earns Grammy nomination

By By Penny Randall / staff writer
Jan. 25, 2004
Steve Forbert never met Jimmie Rodgers. In fact, Forbert wasn't even born until years after the singer's death.
But for Forbert, a well-known singer and songwriter who also is a Meridian native, the idea of paying tribute to the man often called the "Father of Country Music" was a natural thing to do.
Forbert did just that last year with his album "Any Old Time" which was nominated for a Grammy Award this year in the Best Traditional Folk Album category. It is Forbert's his first Grammy nomination.
Others nominated for Best Traditional Folk Album include June Carter Cash; Steve Riley &The Mamou Playboys; Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson &Ricky Skaggs; and Pete Seeger &Friends.
Forbert's album features 13 of Rodgers' original songs which Forbert sings in his own contemporary distinctive sound. In preparation for the album, Forbert said he listened to or read more than 100 of Rodgers' songs.
Forbert has listened to Rodgers' songs since childhood, even learning to play guitar from a distant cousin of Rodgers' at the age of 10.
But small-town Mississippi life just wasn't for Forbert, and at age 21 he packed up his songs, his guitar and his harmonica, and moved to New York City.
Forbert released his first record, "Alive On Arrival," in 1978. Over the years, Forbert has released about a dozen more albums. He admits his music was influenced by Rodgers.
Forbert said he returns home to Meridian often to visit family.
Sam said he became aware of his son's passion for songwriting when he was a child.
Steve Forbert, 49, said he will attend the Grammy Awards on Feb. 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Following that he will be on tour promoting his new album of all-new material; "Just Like There's Nothing To It" will be released on Koch Records on April 28.