Mississippi Slim (country singer)

For the blues musician, see Mississippi Slim (blues musician).

Carvel Lee Ausborn (September 24, 1923 - December 1973),[1] better known by his stage name, Mississippi Slim, was a hillbilly singer who had a radio show on Tupelo's WELO during the later 1940s.[2]

Ausborn was born in Smithville, Mississippi. According to Peter Guralnick, he had taken up guitar at the age of 13 to pursue a career in music. He was inspired by Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and Ausborn's cousin Rod Brasfield, a then prominent country comedian who toured with Hank Williams.[3]

Slim travelled all over the country with Goober and His Kentuckians and the Bisbee's Comedians tent show and even joined the Grand Ole Opry once or twice, largely on the strength of his cousin's connections. He also became known as one of Elvis Presley's first musical heroes and critics. As well, Elvis Presley idolized him and Slim inspired Elvis.

According to Bill Mitchell, Slim "was a good entertainer" who put on a "pretty lively show," primarily "love songs with comedy. The people really enjoyed it."

References

  1. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index". Family Search. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  2. ↑ Guralnick, Peter. Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley. Little, Brown; 1994. ISBN 0-316-33225-9. p. 20.
  3. ↑ "The Memphis Flash". Retrieved 18 July 2015.


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