Members of the Jimmie Rodgers Foundation were remembering the “Singing Brakeman” on Tuesday on the anniversary of the performer’s death.

A wreath laying ceremony has been held every year since the mid-1950’s to commemorate Rodgers’ death. The ceremony was being held at the Oak Grove Cemetery at Bonita in Meridian.

Rodgers, known as the “Father of Country Music,” recorded more than 120 songs.

Born in Meridian on Sept. 8, 1897, Rodgers was also known as the “Singing Brakeman” for his work on the railroad. He made his first recording in 1927.

Rodgers died of tuberculosis at the age of 35 on May 26, 1933 in New York City. He was the first performer elected to Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame.