Contact: Chaplain David Wagner, 760-855-3905, ddbwagner81@aol.com

DANA POINT, Calif., Nov. 10, 2015 /Christian Newswire/ -- On Sunday, November 8, 2015, the famed Jimmie Rogers put on a Veterans' Day patriotic Christian concert at South Shores Church in Dana Point for a packed out audience. Chaplain, Major James F. Linzey, ARNG (Ret.), and Verna Linzey provided the opening performances. James ("Jim") opened with the "Battle of the Green Beret," and Verna opened with her southern gospel rendition of "Are You Washed in the Blood of the Lamb" with Jim harmonizing.

Photo: Jimmie Rogers Performing at South Shores Church in Dana Point

Rogers shared his experiences in the US Air Force, how he got started in the entertainment business, and what his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had to do with it and guided him through many experiences. He sang many songs, uplifting the audience. Numerous veterans were present and expressed how well they liked the presentation of Rogers and the Linzeys.

Jimmie Rodgers is a versatile vocalist with a warm inviting style and sound. His range and ease allowed him to excel in a number of musical areas including rock & roll, easy listening, folk, hymns and country. He enjoyed a great deal of success from 1957 through to 1967, before an unfortunate incident derailed his career at the height of his success.

Rodgers was born James Frederick Rodgers in Camas, Washington on September 18, 1933. Rodgers' mother was an accomplished pianist who taught the young man to play music. The young Jimmie Rodgers also attended church and regularly sang in the church choir through much of his youth.

After graduating from high school, Rodgers briefly attended college but left school to join the Air Force then was soon sent to serve in Korea. It was during this period overseas Rodgers bought a second-hand guitar and formed a singing group with his pals. This was important for what would become his future as it gave him a taste for performing. In 1954 he was transferred back to America and while stationed near Nashville, started performing at local night spots.

In 1956, he returned to Washington State but continued to pursue music. He landed a performance on Art Linkletter's T.V. show "House Party," then later that year on Arthur Godfrey's "Talent Scouts" program in N.Y. It was In New York that his performance of the song "Honeycomb" caught the attention of producers Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. The two producers subsequently arranged for Rodgers to sign with Roulette Records. Then in 1957, his recording of "Honeycomb" went to number one on the Billboard pop charts.

Rodgers' next two singles, "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" and "Uh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love Again," also went Top Ten.  His fifth release, "Secretly," would prove to be his last visit to the Top Ten while he continued to record and tour. In 1959 he hosted his own television series. However it was at this time he had a falling out with Roulette Records over failure to pay royalties. The label's owner had a history of intimidating musicians that dared ask for their contracted royalty payments. He quickly left the label and in 1962 signed with Dot Records.

While with the Dot Records, Rodgers landed a number of singles on the Adult Contemporary charts all the while remaining in high demand as a live act. Then in 1966, his recording of "It's Over" broke into the Top 40. It was during this period Rodgers began acting, making his screen debut in the 1961 film The Little Shepard of Kingdom Come and in 1964 co-starring in the film Back Door to Hell, featuring a very young Jack Nicholson.

In 1967, Rodgers signed another new recording deal, this time with A&M which coincided with his popularity rising once again with his song "Child of Clay" advancing to #31 on the singles charts. Then on the evening of December 1, 1967 everything changed as he was driving home alone from a Christmas party. He pulled his car over believing that he was being waved over by a friend. He thought the car was familiar but this was not the case. Instead of being a familiar friend, he was attacked. This left him with a severe skull fracture that was repaired with a metal plate.

Although Rodgers survived the attack, ongoing health problems from the incident have continued to plague his career; he has only recorded three albums since. He pressed on though and in 1969 hosted a summer replacement TV series and was a guest on Johnny Cash's variety show the following year. Since then he has continued to perform live when his health permitted. In 2007 the plate in his head was removed after it was confirmed that the fracture had completely healed. The healing is attributed to a work of God, because doctors said Rogers would never be healed.

Since that operation, Rodgers has performed on a more regular basis while continuing to reside quietly in his California home. His autobiography, Dancing on the Moon, was recently completed and published.