Osceola in Mississippi County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Jimmy "Popeye" Thomas

Photographed by Craig Swain, August 31, 2010

1. Jimmy "Popeye" Thomas Marker

Inscription. Osceola native Jimmy Thomas split his youth working in cotton fields and playing local juke joints. As a teenager, he joined Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm as lead singer, later performing with the Ike and Tina Turner Review. Settling in London, England, in 1969, Thomas launched the Osceola Records production studio.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.

Location. 35° 42.168′ N, 89° 58.151′ W. Marker is in Osceola, Arkansas, in Mississippi County. It is on West Hale Avenue near South Poplar Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Osceola AR 72370, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Arkansas Delta,

in Crowley’s Ridge,

and in the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mississippi Delta,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what

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was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Willie Bloom (here, next to this marker); Billy Lee Riley (here, next to this marker); Son Seals (here, next to this marker); Albert King (here, next to this marker); Reggie Young (here, next to this marker); Patterson Store (a few steps from this marker); Coston Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Mississippi County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Osceola.

Additional commentary.
1. Jimmy Thomas’ Death
Jimmy Thomas died 22 April 2022 In Charing Cross Hospital, London UK. His cremated remains were buried alongside his wife Kathleen in Dallington Cemetery, Northampton, UK

— Submitted October 7, 2025, by Tracey Girdler of London, UK.

Osceola's Musical Heritage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain

2. Osceola's Musical Heritage

From left to right are markers for Reggie Young, Albert King, Son Seals, Willie Bloom, Jimmy "Popeye" Thomas, and Billy Lee Riley. To the right is the old Patterson Store.

Jimmy Thomas 45 RPM 7" Single “Hang Right on in There” Parts 1 and 2 image. Click for full size.

In the J.J. Prats Collection (Fair Use)

3. Jimmy Thomas 45 RPM 7" Single “Hang Right on in There” Parts 1 and 2

Record sleeve art for Osceola Records OSC2
Black vinyl microgroove record
Part 1: 3min 40sec, • Part 2: 3min 42sec
©℗1981 Attic Music • Genre: Funk / Soul • Credits:

“Hang Right on in There” JT, Backing vocals • Part 1: Dave Charles, Drums • Ray Martinez Guitar • Ray Martinez, Piano • Tony Cook, Bass • Elbee & Friend, Horns
Part 2: Tony Cook, Drums • Quebo, Guitar • Ted Frazier, Piano • Andy, Bass • John Livingstone, Horns.

Written and produced by Jimmy Thomas for Attic Music (PRS/MCPS) • Part 1: Recorded at Rockfield Studios, Monmouth, Wales. Special thanks to Gordon Sutherland & Kingsley Ward • Part 2: Recorded at Pathway Studios, London. Special thanks to Mike Finesilver. Cover art: Stich-Up. • Osceola Records, 36 Bloemfontein Road, London W.12 Tel 01-749-3996

Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,398 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 2, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on October 20, 2025, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.