11.9.1902, Quitman, Louisiana – 5.11.2002

* als James Houston Davis

Hij was twee maal gouverneur voor de staat Louisiana (in 1944, en wederom in mid-1960's), had one of the most colourful careers in country music history.

Davis began his recording career in the 1920's as a talented Jimmy Rodgers imitator who flirted adeptly with both blues and Western swing styles. Though best known today for sentimental classics like 'You Are My Sunshine' and 'Nobody's Darling but Mine' Davis also recorded a number of important and (at least for the times) risqué honky tonk numbers. In 1936, he bought the rights to 'It Makes No Difference Now', which was written by Floyd Tillrnan. It wasn't a hit for Davis, but it did introduce the classic. (Tillman later bought the rights back.) In his early years, Davis earned a master's degree, and, for a while, was a professor of history as Dodd College. During his heyday as a musician and politician (he often combined the two pursuits, using his music to put fire in his gubernatorial campaigns), he also starred in a 1944 feature film, Louisiana

In his later years, Davis (perhaps in repentance for his racy honky tonk hits) turned to gospel and found great favour with hits like 'Supper Time" 'Honey in the Rock" "Take My Hand' and 'Columbus Stockade Blues'.

Davis was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1972. He's now retired from both music and politics.