Jim Teachenor

Jim Teachenor started performing publicly in late 1956. Early band members included Bill Hendrickson, Gene Scott, and Gene Abernathy. It was during this time, he gained a strong regional following in the Mid-South.

In 1957, he was approached by bassist, Howard McCormick, and guitarist, Johnny Brooks. Shortly after, they formed "The Panthers," with Teachenor fronting the band on lead vocals and piano.

Billed as "Jim Teachenor and his rockin' piano with The Panthers," Teachenor performed with and/or headlined many of the same shows and club circuits as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Harold Jenkins (later known as Conway Twitty), Narvel Felts, Bill Rice, Jerry Foster, Fred Horrell and The Flames, Charlie Feathers, Carl Mann, Teddy Redell, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and many others.

He played on various rockabilly and country records and performed on many radio stations in the 1950s and 1960s.

He continued to play throughout the 1970s, gaining a much larger Country following. In the 1980s, he found himself spending more of his time in Nashville writing songs.

In 1988, he recorded his self-titled Country EP (all songs composed by Teachenor) at Joe Keene Studios, Kennett, MO.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Teachenor continued to write and record songs[4] for himself and other artists, and making many public appearances playing Country, Rockabilly, and Gospel music.

Teachenor was drafted into the Army in December 1961. He served as tank gunner for the 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides) in the Cuban Missile Crisis. PFC Teachenor was awarded the National Defense Service Medal for enlisting in the Armed Forces during a time of "national emergency" in the Vietnam War era, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his military service in the Cuban Missile Crisis campaign of October 1962, and the Cold War Recognition Certificate for serving in the military during the Cold War era.[5][6] While enlisted, he was also awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, Expert in Marksmanship with the M1 carbine and Sharpshooter with the M14 rifle. He returned home to Missouri in December 1963, and was honorably discharged in November 1967.

Teachenor was featured on Episode 3 of the first season of The Joey + Rory Show.[7] The show originally aired in 2012 on RFD TV and continues to air regularly in reruns.

In 2013, Teachenor's impact on music was discussed on The Music Row Show on WSM AM and Blue Highways Television.

Jim Teachenor is the father of multi-platinum singer-songwriter, Jamie Teachenor and the father-in-law of best-selling novelist-author, Jen Teachenor.

In the spring of 2012, he was featured in the Clement Railroad Hotel Museum's exhibit called "Our Heritage In Music".[8]

In 2013, he was honored by the states of Kentucky and Tennessee for his contribution to early Rock and Roll music when Governor Steven Beshear commissioned him Kentucky Colonel and Governor Bill Haslam commissioned him Tennessee Colonel Aide De Camp. The Tennessee House of Representatives issued a Proclamation declaring him a "National Treasure" and commending him for his achievements and musical legacy.[9]

Jim Teachenor is the 391st person to be inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.[2]

Teachenor's official induction ceremony was held on January 10, 2014, at the International Rock-A-Billy Hall Of Fame & Museum in Jackson, Tennessee.[10] A collection of his awards and memorabilia are permanently featured in the Hall Of Fame's "Pioneers Of Rockabilly" exhibit.

Teachenor was also presented with the Freedom Certificate signed by Johnny Cash, General William Westmoreland, Admiral Thomas Moorer and Captain Eugene McDaniel, on January 10, 2014, honoring him for his military service.