Jimmy & Johnny
Encyclopedia
Jimmy & Johnny were an American country music
duo composed of Jimmy Lee Fautheree
and Johnny "Country" Mathis. They scored several hits on the U.S. country charts in the 1950s.
The duo's career began on the radio show Louisiana Hayride
, where both were in demand as guests. They also appeared on the Big D Jamboree
. In 1951 they were signed to Capitol Records
; they also recorded for Feature Records and Chess Records
. Their biggest hit was 1954's "If You Don't Somebody Else Will", which reached No. 4 on the U.S. country charts.
Johnny was later replaced by Jimmy's brother, Lynn Fautheree; but the name of the duo did not change, as the producers feared a career slump. Lynn brought the group's style closer to rockabilly
with songs such as "Sweet Love on My Mind," "What'cha Doin' to Me" and "Sweet Singing Daddy". They played with Faron Young
's group, the Deputies, and sometimes on the Grand Ole Opry
, in addition to continuing to appear regularly on Louisiana Hayride.
At the end of the 1950s, after the Fautherees moved back to Texas, Lynn exited and Mathis returned to the duo, and they recorded together until 1961. In 1995, Johnny & Jimmy reunited for the first time since 1961, and released the gospel
single "It Won't Be Much Longer".
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
duo composed of Jimmy Lee Fautheree
Jimmy Lee Fautheree
Jimmy Lee Fautheree was an American rockabilly and country singer.Born in Smackover, Arkansas, he began playing guitar at age 12, and was heavily influenced by Merle Travis. In 1946 his family moved to Dallas, where he played on KRLD's Big D Jamboree...
and Johnny "Country" Mathis. They scored several hits on the U.S. country charts in the 1950s.
The duo's career began on the radio show Louisiana Hayride
Louisiana Hayride
Louisiana Hayride was a radio and later television country music show broadcast from the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana, that during its heyday from 1948 to 1960 helped to launch the careers of some of the greatest names in American music...
, where both were in demand as guests. They also appeared on the Big D Jamboree
Big D Jamboree
Big D Jamboree was an American radio program broadcast by KRLD-AM in Dallas, Texas. The show consisted of appearances by famous country musicians as well as sketch comedy and jokes. It was also carried by KRLD-TV during the 1950s.-History:...
. In 1951 they were signed to Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
; they also recorded for Feature Records and Chess Records
Chess Records
Chess Records was an American record label based in Chicago, Illinois. It specialized in blues, R&B, soul, gospel music, early rock and roll, and occasional jazz releases....
. Their biggest hit was 1954's "If You Don't Somebody Else Will", which reached No. 4 on the U.S. country charts.
Johnny was later replaced by Jimmy's brother, Lynn Fautheree; but the name of the duo did not change, as the producers feared a career slump. Lynn brought the group's style closer to rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
with songs such as "Sweet Love on My Mind," "What'cha Doin' to Me" and "Sweet Singing Daddy". They played with Faron Young
Faron Young
Faron Young was an American country music singer and songwriter from the early 1950s into the mid-1980s and one of its most successful and colorful stars...
's group, the Deputies, and sometimes on the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
, in addition to continuing to appear regularly on Louisiana Hayride.
At the end of the 1950s, after the Fautherees moved back to Texas, Lynn exited and Mathis returned to the duo, and they recorded together until 1961. In 1995, Johnny & Jimmy reunited for the first time since 1961, and released the gospel
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
single "It Won't Be Much Longer".
Singles
| Year | Title | Label | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | "If You Don't Somebody Else Will" / "I'm Beginning to Remember" | Feature Records | 6 |
| "Don't Forget to Remember" / "Open for Trade" (B-Side with Jimmy Lee) | Capitol Records | ||
| "If You Don't Somebody Else Will" / "I'm Beginning to Remember" | Chess Records | 4 | |
| 1955 | "Can't You, Won't You" / "The Fun Is Over" | ||
| "Love Me" / "Lips That Kiss So Sweetly" | 70 | ||
| "Lips That Kiss So Sweetly" / "Love Me" | 74 | ||
| 1956 | "Sweet Singing Daddy" / "Trust Me" | Decca Records | |
| "'Til the End of the World" / "Another Man's Name" | |||
| "Sweet Love on My Mind" / "Imagination" | |||
| 1957 | "Here Comes My Baby" / "Don't Give Me That Look" | ||
| "What'cha Doin' To Me" / "I'll Do It Everytime" | |||
| 1958 | "Can't Find The Doorknob" / "Keep Telling Me" | D Records | |
| 1959 | "My Little Baby" / "All I Need Is Time" | ||
| 1961 | "Knock On Wood" / "Let Me Be The One" | Republic Records | |
| "Nobody Knows Where I Go" | Not released | ||
| "I'm Gonna Lose" |
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | If You Don't Somebody Else Will | Bear Family Records |