SGA Welcomes Grand Ole Opry and Canjun Star to Its Ranks

The Songwriters Guild of America recently welcomed Grand Ole Opry star and Cajun music icon Jimmy C. Newman to its roster of all-star songwriters.

Newman is a native of High Point, LA. and is known for his song, “A Fallen Star,” a hit that crossed into the Pop Top 25 and remained there for weeks.

Newman joined the Cajun group Chuck Guillory’s Rhythm Boys as a teenager. After several years, he was signed to Dot Records and achieved his first hit “Cry, Cry, Darling.”

In 1956 Newman made the move to the Grand Ole Opry and he became one of the Opry’s leading performers.

Newman began to explore more Cajun influences after several more successes. “Alligator Man” and “Bayou Talk” have prominent Cajun styles, and both were Top 25 singles. His album, Folk Songs of the Bayou Country, marked a milestone in Cajun music.

Newman eventually recorded Cajun albums for labels such as La Louisianne, Swallow and Rounder while performing regularly at the Grand Ole Opry. The Songwriters Guild of America honors Newman for all of his success and is proud to have him as part of the organization.

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