Hillbilly-Music.com—The People. The Music. The History.
Jimmie Lee Durden
and his Drifters

About The Artist

Jimmie Lee Durden had a different way of entering the hillbilly music scene than most people. He was only sixteen years old when we found our mention of him. A few years prior to that, he had suffered a serious heart attack that confined him to home for quite some time. To help him pass the time, he learned to play the steel guitar.

By 1953, he had his own band that was called the Drifters and were doing a show every Saturday over KRCT in Baytown, Texas.

Their popularity was such that they had even recorded a few tunes. Some of the tunes included, "I won't Cry No More", "If you Didn't, Don't, 'Cause It Ain't", "Should I Go Or Should I Shouldn't" and "Time To Go", which Pa Durden wrote.

Timeline and Trivia Notes

Group members included:

  • Jimmie Lee Durden, steel guitar
  • Myra La Verne Durden, sister, rhythm guitar, vocals
  • Dickie Blevins, guitar, vocals
  • Travis Henderson, bass
  • "Pa" Durden, emcee

Credits & Sources

  • Cowboy Songs No. 39 (February 1955); American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT.
  • Portions of Discography Listing courtesy of Hillbilly Reasearcher Team; Tricker, Turner and Sax

Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)

 
Feature
Rec. No. Side Song Title
  1082 A I Won't Cry No More
  1082 B If You Didn't, Don't Cause It Ain't
  1097 A Should I Should Or Should I Shouldn't
  1097 B Oh Mr Moon
 
Mosrite
Rec. No. Side Song Title
  X-14 A Time To Go
  X-14 B Let's Trade Hearts My Darling (w/Bill Gaines)
 
Starday
Rec. No. Side Song Title
  204 A Reconsider
  204 B What Can I Say
  239 A I Miss Her So
  239 B Since Yesterday
  285 A No Mistake
  285 B Time Heals Everything