Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Beech Springs, Jackson Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1982-10-08

Duration: 00:27:21

Subjects: BASKETBALL | SINGING | YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE | SUNSHINE BRIDGE | Davis, Jimmie, 1899-2000 | Rural health services | Louisiana Governor's Mansion (Baton Rouge, La.) | Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972 | Music | Politics | Louisiana Governors

Contributors:

• Dupaquier, John Theme Music
• George, Beth Executive Producer
• Fowler, Ken Producer
• Breazeale, Kathryn Producer
• Fourrier, Clay Director
• Weill, Gus Host
• Davis, Jimmie Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from October 8, 1982, features the first part of an interview with Governor Jimmie Davis conducted by Gus Weill. Davis, a successful country singer, served two terms as the Governor of Louisiana from 1944-1948 and 1960-1964. He is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He discusses: growing up in Beech Springs, Louisiana; his poor sharecropper family; being a part of the first basketball team at his school; his earliest memories of music; the lack of medical treatment in rural areas; the death and funeral of his younger sister; being encouraged to attend college by one of his teachers; his early singing and political careers; the number of times that “You Are My Sunshine” has been recorded; meeting his first wife, Alverna Adams; being accused of making “risqué” records; his friendship with Harry S. Truman; his political opponents sending a private detective to California during his second gubernatorial campaign; building the Sunshine Bridge and Governor’s Mansion during his second term; and meeting his second wife, Anna Carter Gordon. Host: Gus Weill