James Buford Abner (November 10, 1917 – November 19, 2011) was an American songwriter, musician and singer who worked during the early days of

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

, working in both secular and

gospel country music Christian country music (sometimes marketed as country gospel, gospel country, positive country or inspirational country) is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christianity, Christian life, as well ...

genres. With his brother Merle Abner, his uncle Stacy Abner, George Hughes and Billy Carrier, he was a member of the Swanee River Boys. He was inducted into the

Southern Gospel Music Association The Southern Gospel Music Association (''SGMA'') is a non-profit corporation formed as an association of southern gospel music singers, songwriters, fans, and industry workers. Membership is acquired and maintained through payment of annual dues. ...

Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...

in 2002 and the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame as a member of the Swanee River Boys. His song "Long White Lines" has been covered numerous times, including versions by

Aaron Tippin Aaron Dupree Tippin (born July 3, 1958) is an American country music singer, songwriter and record producer. Initially a songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, he gained a recording contract with RCA Nashville in 1990. His debut single, " You've Got ...

and

Sturgill Simpson John Sturgill Simpson (born June 8, 1978) is an American country music singer-songwriter and actor. As of June 2024, he has released eight albums as a solo artist. Simpson's style has been met with critical favor and frequent comparisons to ou ...

Background

He was raised in Lineville, Alabama as the child of sharecroppers. At the age of 15 he became part of the Pepperel Manufacturing Company Quartet in Columbus, Georgia until he joined the Vaughn Four on WNOX radio in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Family

In 1941, Abner married Dorothy Jean Dalton and they had a daughter, Pamela in 1943.

References

American country songwriters American country singers Southern gospel performers {{US-songwriter-stub