LifeNotes: Opry Star Jimmy C. Newman Dies

Jimmy C. Newman

Grand Ole Opry star Jimmy C. Newman died Saturday night (June 21) in Nashville after a brief illness. He was 86.

A public service will be held Wednesday, June 25 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium at 10 a.m., followed by a private visitation and a memorial service for close friends and family. Contributions can be made to the Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund.

Newman joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1956; his final performance at the Opry was Friday, June 6, 2014.

Newman was born in Mamou, La., in 1927. As children, he and his brother Walter helped support the family farm. Later, Newman formed a band and hosted a show on KPLC-TV (Lake Charles) and joined the Louisiana Hayride.

Newman’s first Nashville deal was a publishing contract with Acuff-Rose Music, which led to a recording deal with Dot Records. His hits included “A Fallen Star,” “Cry, Cry Darling,” and the Cajun-laced singles “Diggy Liggy Lo,” “Alligator Man,” and “Bayou Talk.” He was later inducted into the Cajun Hall of Fame, Cajun Music Hall of Fame, and the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

In his later years, he enjoyed spending time on his ranch in Rutherford County with his wife, Mae.