23. Jimmie Rodgers
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Rodgers is regarded as one of the genre forefathers. Bringing together country music with Rodgers’ yodeling background, the “Father of Country Music” developed into a star early in his career. Countless famous musicians – including Lynyrd Skynyrd and Merle Haggard – have cited Rodgers as an inspiration. Rodgers passed away due to tuberculosis at the age of 36, but made a lasting impact during his career.