Jim Reeves

James Travis "Jim" Reeves ( born August 20, 1923 in Galloway, Texas, † July 31, 1964 in Nashville, Tennessee ) was an American country music singer.

  • 2.1 Hit- Singles ( selection)
  • 2.2 albums

Life

Jim Reeves comes from a poor, large family. He and his siblings were raised after the early death of his father by the mother alone. Reeves began playing guitar at the age of five. His idol was Jimmie Rodgers. In addition to his musical talent, he was also a successful athlete and initially sought a career as a professional baseball player. However, an ankle injury meant the end of his sporting ambitions.

In 1947 he married the teacher Mary White. He tried his hand at various jobs and stepped on the side as a singer. It also 1949/1950 two singles were produced at the small label " Macy's ", but were unsuccessful. Finally, he worked as a disc jockey for several radio stations. In 1952 he became announcer of the popular Louisiana Hayride show. Here, there were opportunities for their own performances. One day had the star of the evening - Hank Williams - cancel at short notice. Jim Reeves filled in for him and was discovered this evening of Fabor Robinson, the owner of the small labels Abbott Records.

Career

Already his second single for " Abbott " Mexican Joe reached in 1953 topped the country charts and was listed in the U.S. singles chart at number 23 after all In the same year, was able to place at the top of the country charts, his fifth single Bimbo. There were other top ten hits and released in 1954, Abbott LP Jim Reeves Sings. Jim Reeves was so successful that in 1955 out RCA bought him from the Abbott contract. In the same year he joined the Grand Ole Opry. His first RCA single Yonder Comes A Sucker made ​​it to fourth place. It represented the beginning of a long series of hits that lasted until after his death.

1957 Four Walls was released, with the plate for the first time succeeded him also the leap into the upper echelon of the Billboard Top 100 at No. 11 The success of this ballad led to a change of style. Had Reeves previously recorded predominantly classic country songs, so gentler and more romantic tones were from this time struck, his following plates were produced in Nashville Sound, with traditional country instruments such as fiddle, banjo and steel guitar were replaced by piano, string orchestra and backing choirs. All plates were added to the RCA studios in Nashville and almost all of Chet Atkins produced. This country-pop, a much larger audience could be reached. 1959 his biggest hit was released: He'll Have to Go. This song remained fourteen weeks at number one on the country charts and reached a second spot in the U.S. singles chart. This song meant for Reeves an international breakthrough: Although the title reached number 11 in the UK only, but became a number one hit in Canada, Norway and Australia. This was followed by tours to Europe and South Africa.

His success streak in the country charts continued: 1962 second place with Adios Amigo, 1964 second place with Welcome to My World and 1964 number one with I Guess I'm Crazy, that came from Werly Fairburn. In one of his last appearances on the Louisiana Hayride Reeves Fairburn had heard playing the song and then took it on themselves. The single was released shortly after his death. In 1964, he was the Anita Kerr Singers also come on a tour with Chet Atkins, Bobby Bare and again to Germany. The live LP Nashville Stars On Tour and RCA even planned German recordings with Jim Reeves was born in Hamburg and Berlin.

Immediately after his death put a real " Jim Reeves Boom" and brought spectacular success on the country charts: Released in June 1964 I Guess I'm Crazy reached number 1, followed in the same year I Will not Forget You on Course 3; 1965 occupied This Is It and Is It Really Over the top spot, Snowflake came in at number 2; 1966 landed Distant Drums, Blue Side Of Lonesome and I Will not Come In While He 's There at # 1, Am I Losing You at number 8 Until 1974, he was with at least one single each year in the Top 20 on the country charts represent. Given that interest in plates of Reeves wore off in the second half of the seventies, the record company RCA came up with the idea of ​​female voices to blend into the seats inside. 1979 and 1980 were three singles released, on which the voice of Deborah Allen has been added to all three singles reached are amongst the top ten. The 1981 published song Have You Ever Been Lonely was a co-mingled duet with Patsy Cline and reached number 5

Although all reached his singles that were published 1956-1966, on the country charts are amongst the top ten, but his success on the pop- sector remained modest in the United States: he had in all the years, only two Top 20 hits: Four Walls (1957 No. 11 ) and He'll Have To Go (1959 # 2 ). Of the numerous albums he released in the U.S., four managed to jump into the top forty in the LP charts. For her albums The Best Of Jim Reeves Distant Drums and he posthumously received " Golden Records " award.

International success

In the UK, Reeves was on the pop- sector much more successful than in the U.S.: 13 singles reached 1960-1969 rankings in the top 20 to the top of the singles chart, he could sit down in the following countries: Canada, Norway, Ireland, United Kingdom, he achieved a second place in the U.S., Germany and South Africa. Unusually high was his popularity in Norway, where he was charged with three songs leader of the singles charts five times took a second place and was 1960-1967 with a total of 15 titles in the top 10. In Germany Jim Reeves when he was alive no successes, first published after his death with the Single Distant Drums Reeves managed once the leap into the German charts, where the plate came second.

As an example of that RCA tried to Jim Reeves to establish internationally on various plate markets, South Africa should be mentioned: 1962 released their album In Suid Africa ( RCA 31630 ), on the title of Reeves, Chet Atkins and Floyd Cramer can be heard. A solo album by Reeves Jy Is My Lief Ling (RCA 31671 ) was published in 1963. Both albums are all the songs in Afrikaans.

Screen actor

1964 Jim Reeves played the main role in the film " Kimberley Jim " the story of a man from the South who wants to become rich in the diamond rush in 1900 in South Africa. Emil Nofal produced the film, directed and wrote the screenplay, a misplaced to South Africa Western. In addition to Reeves Madeleine Usher and Clive Parnell played more leading roles, arranger and musical director of this musical film was Bill Walker.

Early death

On July 31, 1964 Jim Reeves came along with Dean Manuel, his pianist and manager, in a plane crash. Your small plane crashed during a storm when landing Nashville.

The popularity of the singer with the velvety baritone voice took after his death to continue. There have been published a number of archive songs that sold excellent. Until the early seventies, Jim Reeves could win top spots in the charts. Occasionally, he reappeared in the eighties in the top ten on.

In 1967, " Gentleman Jim " posthumously the highest distinction that has to be awarded country music: He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Discography (selection)

The plates listed by Jim Reeves represent only a selection, a complete discography, see

Hit- Singles ( selection)

Selection criterion = Top 20 on the country charts

The year refers to the year of the Single, U.S. catalog number, # = the highest placing of the single on the country charts ( until 1958 statement in which the country part Charts: JC = Jockey charts, JB = juke box charts, BS = Bestselling Charts ), U.S. = highest listing on the Billboard pop charts, UK = highest listing in the UK charts

  • Mexican Joe, 1953, Abbott 116; JC, JB, BS # 1 - as " Jim Reeves And The Circle O Ranch Boys"
  • Bimbo, 1953, Abbott 148; JC # 1
  • I Love You, 1953, Fabor 101; JC # 3 - duet with Ginny Wright
  • Then I'll Stop Loving You, 1954, Abbott 160; JC # 15
  • Penny Candy, 1954, Abbott 170; JC # 5
  • Drinking tequila. 1955 Abbott 178; JB # 9
  • Yonder Comes A Sucker, 1955, RCA Victor 5200; JB # 4
  • My Lips Are Sealed, 1956, RCA Victor 6517; JB, JC # 8
  • According To My Heart, 1956, RCA Victor 6620; JC # 4
  • Am I Losing You, 1956, RCA Victor 6749; JC, JB # 3
  • Four Walls, 1957, RCA Victor 6874; JC # 1; U.S. # 11
  • Two Shadows On Your Window, 1957, RCA Victor 6973 A- side; JC # 9
  • Young Hearts, 1957, RCA Victor 6973 B- side; BS # 12
  • Anna Marie, 1957, RCA Victor 7070; JC # 3; U.S. # 93
  • I Love You More, 1958, RCA Victor 7171 A- side; JC # 8
  • Overnight, 1958, RCA Victor 7171 B- side; JC # 10
  • Blue Boy, 1958, RCA Victor 7266, JC # 2; U.S. # 45
  • Billy Bayou, 1958, RCA Victor 7380 A- side; # 1; U.S. # 95
  • I'd Like To Be, 1958, RCA Victor 7380 B- side; # 18
  • Home. 1959, RCA Victor 7479; # 2
  • Partners, 1959, RCA Victor 7557 A- side; # 5
  • I'm Beginning To Forget You, 1959, RCA Victor 7557 B- side; # 17
  • He'll Have to Go, 1959, RCA Victor 7643; # 1; U.S. # 2; UK # 11
  • I'm Gettin 'Better, 1960, RCA Victor 7756 A- side; # 3; U.S. # 37
  • I Know One, 1960, RCA Victor 7756 B- side; # 6; U.S. # 82
  • I Missed Me, 1960, RCA Victor 7800 A- side; # 3; U.S. # 44
  • Am I Losing You, 1960, RCA Victor 7800 B- side; # 8; U.S. # 31
  • The Blizzard, 1961, RCA Victor 7855; # 4; U.S. # 62
  • What Would I Do, 1961, RCA Victor 7905 A- side; # 15; U.S. # 73
  • Losing Your Love, 1961, RCA Victor 7950 A- side; # 2; U.S. # 89
  • ( How Can I Write On Paper ) What I Feel In My Heart, 1961, RCA Victor 7950 B- side; # 7; U.S. # 92
  • Adios Amigo, 1962, RCA Victor 8019 A- side; # 2; U.S. # 90
  • A Letter To My Heart, 1962, RCA Victor 8019 B- side; # 20
  • I'm Gonna Change Everything, 1962, RCA Victor 8080 A- side; # 2; U.S. # 95
  • Pride Goes Before A Fall, 1962, RCA Victor 8080 B- side; # 18
  • ? Is This Me, 1963, RCA Victor 8127; # 3
  • Guilty, 1963, RCA Victor 8193 A- side; # 3; U.S. # 91
  • Welcome to My World, 1963, RCA Victor 8289; # 2; UK # 6
  • Love Is No Excuse, 1964, RCA Victor 8324; # 7 - duet with Dottie West
  • I Guess I'm Crazy, 1964, RCA Victor 8383; # 1; U.S. # 82

Posthumously

  • I Will not Forget You 1964 # 3
  • This Is It, 1965, # 1
  • Is It Really Over, 1965, # 1
  • Snowflake, 1966, # 2
  • Distant Drums, 1966, # 1
  • Am I Losing You (Version 1960 ), 1966, # 8
  • Blue Side of Lonesome, 1966, # 1
  • I Will not Come in While He 's There, in 1966, # 1
  • I Heard A Heart Break Last Night, 1967, # 9
  • That's When I See The Blues, 1968, # 9
  • When You Are Gone, 1968, # 7
  • When Two Worlds Collide, 1969, # 6
  • Nobody's Fool, 1969, # 10
  • Angels Do not Lie, 1970, # 4
  • Missing You, 1972, # 8
  • Do not Let Me Cross Over ( & Deborah Allen ), 1979, # 10
  • Oh How I Miss You Tonight ( & Deborah Allen ), 1979, # 6
  • Take Me In Your Arms And Hold Me ( & Deborah Allen ), 1980, # 10
  • Have You Ever Been Lonely ( & Patsy Cline ), 1981, # 5

Albums

Selection criterion: It will be listed until 1968 all of Jim Reeves appeared in the U.S. LPs.

Most albums published by "RCA Victor", deviations are listed. " LPM " and " LSP " = U.S. order numbers of "RCA Victor"

E = Date, rec. = Date of recording, # = highest placement of the album on the Billboard pop album charts

CA = producer is Chet Atkins

  • Jim Reeves Sings (Abbott LP -5001, e 1954)
  • Singing Down The Lane (LPM-1256, CA, rec. 1955/1956, e February 1956 )
  • Bimbo (LPM-1410, rec. 1952/1953, e 1956)
  • Jim Reeves (LPM-1685, CA, rec 24, -. June 26, 1957, e October 1957 )
  • Girls I Have Known (LPM-1685, CA, rec. January 1958, e June 1958 )
  • God Be With You (LSP-1950, CA, rec. July 29 and September 4, 1958, e February 1959 )
  • Songs To Warm The Heart (LSP-2001, CA, rec. December 1958 / January 1959 e July 1959 )
  • According to my Heart (RCA Camden CAL -583, CA, rec. In 1955 / 1956/1960, e April 1960 )
  • The Intimate Jim Reeves (LSP-2216, CA, rec. March 31 and 12 April 1960 e June 1960 )
  • He'll Have to Go (LSP-2223, CA, rec 1957 -. 1959, e June 1960 ) - # 18
  • Tall Tales And Short Tempers (LSP-2284, CA, rec. 4 and 5 October 1960 e February 1961 )
  • Talkin 'to Your Heart (LSP-2339, CA, rec. 8 to 22 March 1961 e September 1961 )
  • The Country Side of Jim Reeves (RCA Camden CAS -686, rec. 1955, 1956, 1961, s February 1962 )
  • A Touch of Velvet (LSP-2487, CA & Anita Kerr, rec January and November 1961, April 1962 e. ) - # 97
  • We Thank Thee (LSP-2532, CA, rec. 29 and 30 January 1962 e June 1962 )
  • Gentleman Jim (LSP-2605, CA & Anita Kerr, rec September and October 1962., E March 1963 )
  • The International Jim Reeves (LSP-2704, CA & Anita Kerr, rec. Early 1963, s July 1963 )
  • Good ' n ' Country (RCA Camden CAS -784, prod. Anita Kerr, rec March. , 1963, e October 1963 )
  • Twelve Songs Of Christmas (LSP-2758, CA & Anita Kerr, rec. 19th & October 25, 1962, e November 1963 )
  • Music from the movie " Kimberly Jim " & Madeleine Usher & Bill Walker Orchestra (LSP-2780, e 1964)
  • Moonlight and Roses (LSP-2854, CA, rec 18 -. December 21, 1963, s May 1964 ) - # 30
  • The Best Of (LSP-2890, rec 1957 Sampler -. 1963, e June 1964 ) - # 9

Posthumously published:

  • Have I Told You Lately That I Love You? (RCA Camden CAS -842, rec 1955 -. 1962, e October 1964 )
  • The Jim Reeves Way (LSP-2968, rec 1961 Sampler -. 1964 e January 1965 ) - # 45
  • Up Through The Years (LSP-3427, rec 1955 Sampler -. 1962, s July 1965 )
  • The Best Of. Vol 2 (LSP-3482, rec 1956 Sampler -. 1963, e February 1966 ) - # 100
  • Distant Drums (LSP-3342, rec 1954 Sampler -. 1964, s May 1966 ) - # 21
  • Yours Sincerely, Jim Reeves (LSP-3709, samplers, rec 1953 -. 1962 e 1966)
  • The Blue Side of Lonesome (LSP-3793, rec 1957 Sampler -. 1964, e April 1967 )
  • My Cathedral (LSP-3903, sampler, e 1967)
  • A Touch of Sadness (LSP-3987, sampler, e April 1968 )
  • Jim Reeves On Stage (LSP-4062, Live August 1961, e 1968)

Between 1969 and 1979 another 21 albums were released in the U.S., on each of which the old song material was reassembled.

  • Welcome to My World ( Bear Family 16 CD - 1994)
  • The Very Best Of " (2009, UK # 7)
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Integrated Authority File
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