James Houston Davis, better known as Jimmie Davis, (September 11, 1899 - November 5, 2000) was a noted singer who served as Governor of Louisiana.
Davis was born in the now ghost town of Beech Springs, Louisiana . He became a commercially successful singer of "Cowboy music" before entering politics. He performed several successful songs, most notably "You Are My Sunshine," which was officially designated an official state song of Louisiana in 1977. Reportedly, the song was copyrighted under Davis's name after he purchased the song from its composers. In 1999, "You Are My Sunshine" was honored with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award and the Recording Industry Association of America named it one of the Songs of the Century.
Davis was elected as a Democrat to the governorship from 1944 to 1948 and from 1960 to 1964. He was "the singing governor", often performing music during his campaigns. While Governor, he had a No. 1 hit single in 1945 with the song "There's a New Moon Over My Shoulder." A lifelong member of the Baptist faith, he also recorded a number of gospel albums and in 1967 served as president of the Gospel Music Association.
During his time in the Governor's office, Jimmie Davis enforced policies of racial segregation, but apologized for it later in life. One time during his tenure, he rode his horse up the steps of the state Capitol to protest integration.
A number of his songs were used as part of motion picture soundtracks and Davis himself appeared in half a dozen films.
Jimmie Davis was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971 and into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1972.
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