Jimmy Sweeney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmy Sweeney
Cover of a Greatest Hits Album issued in 2017
Background information
Birth name	James Sweenety Jr.
Also known as	Jimmy Bell and Jimmy Destry
Born	(1922-11-15)November 15, 1922 Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Died	October 6, 1992(1992-10-06) (aged 70) Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Genres	rhythm and blues soul pop
Occupation(s)	Singer
Years active	1947–1962
Associated acts	Elvis Presley, Marty Robbins

Jimmy Sweeney (born March 15, 1922 – died October 6, 1992) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He was a veteran of World War II. Jimmy was an important part of the African-American music scene in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was born, grew up, and passed away.

He was known professionally as Jimmy Sweeney, and sometimes as Jimmy Bell. His music included different styles like country, rhythm and blues, soul, and doo wop. Jimmy Sweeney even influenced a young Elvis Presley.

Jimmy Sweeney and Elvis Presley

One of the most interesting parts of Jimmy Sweeney's story is how he influenced a young Elvis Presley. There's a famous story from the 1950s about a demo song that impressed Elvis.

In June 1954, music producer Sam Phillips played a demo record for Elvis. Elvis was 18 years old and not yet famous. The song was called "Without You," and it was sung by an unknown artist with a guitar. Sam Phillips really liked the song and thought about releasing it as a single.

However, Sam's business partner, Marion Keisker, had another idea. She thought Elvis should try to sing the song for his first record. Elvis tried his best to record "Without You." But he felt he couldn't sing it better than the unknown person on the demo. So, Elvis decided to work on another song instead, which became his first hit, "That's All Right," released in July 1954.

The demo record of "Without You" stayed a mystery for many years. People wondered who the amazing singer was. In 2017, a music editor named Christopher Kennedy finally identified the singer as Jimmy Sweeney. Jimmy's daughter, Eugenia, confirmed this. The demo record was labeled "Without You" and recorded at 78 rpm. The person who wrote the song is still unknown.

Later, in 1960, Jimmy Sweeney recorded his most successful song, "She Wears My Ring." This song was an adaptation of an old Mexican tune. It reached number 5 on the Canadian music charts and number 24 in the United States in 1962.

Interestingly, Elvis Presley also recorded "She Wears My Ring" in 1973. It was one of his favorite songs. He even made a home recording of it in 1960. Other famous artists like Roy Orbison also recorded this song.

Life and Music Career

Early Life and Beginnings

Jimmy Sweeney was named after his father, who was also from Nashville. Jimmy was the second of thirteen children. As a boy, he was a talented American football player. He taught himself to play the guitar. Jimmy lived in Nashville, Tennessee, his whole life.

In 1943, he joined the U.S. Army as a Private. He was honorably discharged after his service. In 1941, he married his wife, Elsie. He worked as a carpenter to support his family.

Singing and Recording

Jimmy Sweeney recorded music under several names. These included Jimmy Sweeney, Jimmy Bell, and Jimmy Destry. He was also the lead singer for a group called "The Five Bars." This group later changed its name to "The Varieteers."

The Varieteers appeared on radio shows and performed in famous clubs. They traveled across the U.S. and Canada to promote their music. Jimmy worked very hard, but he didn't become a huge music star.

"She Wears My Ring" was his most successful song. It reached number 5 on the CHUM chart in Toronto, Canada, in May 1961.

In 1962, when he was 40 years old, Jimmy decided to stop touring. He returned to Nashville and took a job with the state government. After a break, he started writing songs again. He wrote many songs for Columbia, and famous singer Marty Robbins recorded some of them.

Most of Jimmy Sweeney's recordings were with the Hickory label. He also recorded with other labels like:

• Bullet Records
• Buckley label
• Chic Records
• Republic Records
• Tennessee Records

Most of the songs Jimmy Sweeney wrote were published by Acuff-Rose Music.

Jimmy Sweeney and Marty Robbins

Jimmy Sweeney wrote songs regularly for country music star Marty Robbins. Here are some of the songs Marty Robbins recorded that were written or co-written by Jimmy:

• "Don't Go Away Senor" – 1957
• "No Tears, No Regrets" – 1965
• "Will There Be Stars in My Crown?" – 1965 (co-written with George Jones and Edmond Hewitt)
• "My Wonderful One" – 1969
• "When My Turn Comes Around" – 1969
• "You Say It's Over" – 1971
• "You're an Angel Disguised as a Girl" – 1987

Death

Jimmy Sweeney passed away in Nashville from cancer at the age of 69. He was survived by his wife, Elsie, and their five children.

He is buried in a U.S. Veterans gravesite at the Nashville National Cemetery in Madison, Tennessee.

Legacy

Jimmy Sweeney's music continues to be remembered. He was an important influence on Elvis Presley.

Many of his recordings are now rare and collectible. You can often find them online under his different names: Jimmy Sweeney, Jimmy Bell, Jimmy Destry, The Five Bars, and The Varieteers.

Jimmy Sweeney Discography

Jimmy Sweeney released many songs throughout his career. Here are some of his 45 RPM singles:

• "I'm All Dressed Up With A Broken Heart" b/w "To Make A Long Story Shorter" – Bullet 1009, 1947 (recorded as "The Five Bars")
• "Boogie Woogie Jockey" b/w "I Gotta Leave This Town" – Tennessee 714, May 1950 (recorded as Jimmy Sweeney)
• "I'll Try To Forget I've Loved You" b/w "You Don't Move Me No More" – MGM 10888-A/B, January 1951 (recorded as The Varieteers)
• "Believe In Me" b/w "Desire" – Republic 7054, October 1953 (recorded as Jimmy Sweeney)
• "Deep Blues" b/w "I've Got a Womans Love" – Hickory 1004, February 1954 (recorded as Jimmy Sweeney and The Varieteers)
• "I Pay With Every Breath" b/w "If You And I Could Be Sweethearts" – Hickory 1014, August 1954 (recorded as The Varieteers, vocals by Jimmy Sweeney)
• "The Question" b/w "These Tears" – CHIC 1002 December 1956 (recorded as Jimmy Sweeney)
• "Tica Boo" b/w "Bongo Olay" – Chic Records March 1957 (recorded as Jimmy Sweeney)
• "The Midnight Hour" b/w "Till The Right One Comes Along" – DATE 1001 – January 1958 (recorded as Jim Sweeney)
• "Sick, Sick, Sick" b/w "Gonna Find My Sweetheart" – Columbia Records, June 1958 (recorded as Jim Sweeney)
• "It Wouldn't Be The Same (Without You)" b/w "Afraid" – COLUMBIA 4-41262, November 1958 (recorded as Jim Sweeney)
• "Prayin' For Someone To Love" b/w "What'cha Gonna Do About Me" – Hickory 1115, February 1960 (recorded as Jimmy Bell)
• "She Wears My Ring" b/w "Going Down To The River" – Hickory 1136, November 1960 (recorded as Jimmy Bell)
• "Lunch In A Bucket" b/w "(Yes) Here I Go Again" – Hickory 1146, April 1961 (recorded as Jimmy Bell)
• "The Poorest Boy In Town" b/w "Honey Bee" – Hickory 1156, October 1961 (recorded as Jimmy Bell)
• "Your Skies Of Blue (Will Turn Gray On You)" b/w "Tomorrow is a Comin" – Hickory 1168, April 1962 (recorded as Jimmy Bell)
• "She Wears My Ring" b/w "What'cha Gonna Do About Me" – Buckley 1101, July 1962 (issued as Jimmy Sweeney)

In 2017, an MP3 album called "At His Best" was released. Also, in 2020, a special limited edition record called "Without You" was released. This record included the first time the "Without You" demo was available to the public, along with other unreleased songs.