Mississippi Slim (country singer)

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

Carvell Lee Ausborn (September 24, 1923 – December 1, 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] and recorded for Tennessee Records. Ausborn also gained fame among Elvis Presley historians because he was one of the earliest musical influences of the young Presley and once let him sing on his radio show.^[3]

Mississippi Slim
Background information
Birth name	Carvel Lee Ausborn
Born	(1923-09-24)September 24, 1923 Smithville, Mississippi, United States
Died	December 1, 1973(1973-12-01) (aged 50) United States
Genres	hillbilly
Occupation(s)	Singer-songwriter, musician
Instrument(s)	Guitar, vocals
Years active	1940s–1957
Labels	Tennessee Records

Biography

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.^[4]

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.

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."

Discography

• 1951 – "You’re Gonna Be Sorry" b/w "Memory Of You" (Tennessee 738)
• 1951 – "Beer Drinkin’ Blues" b/w "I'm Through Cryin' Over You" (Tennessee 745)
• 1953 – "I’m A Long Gone Doggie" b/w "I Know You Can't Be True" (Tennessee 794)
• 1953 – "Tired Of Your Lies" b/w "Queen For A Day" (Tennessee 827)