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 Jim Reeves an SOB?
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| Author | Topic: Jim Reeves an SOB? |
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Erv Niehaus Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA |
posted 08 January 2002 08:58 AM
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The curious want to know. I recall coming across a posting some time ago about what a rat Jim Reeves was and how some fellow musicans didn't really mourn his passing. However, I've really enjoyed his music over the years. I know he rather strayed away from what was considered hard core "country" at the time but then Ray Price was also put down for the same reason. I would appreciate hearing from some of you Forumites that are more in the know than this left-handed Norwegian stuck in the tundra up here in the Land of the Sky Blue Water. Uff-Da! |
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Craig A Davidson Member From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA |
posted 08 January 2002 02:16 PM
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Erv, According to people in the book about him, he was a nut about having everything just like it was recorded. They would come home from a tour and be practicing the routines the next day. Also, until the almost end he never had the same band. One time he'd use Jimmy Day, The next time Bobby Garrett. Then he might go back to Jimmy. Towards the end he did end up with the same guys. This is just what I've read and you know you shouldn't believe everything you read. The book is called "From A Moth To A Flame". Now that I submitted, what I was trying to think of was he didn't have guys on retainers. Some artists do that so the guys know they have a job to come back to. I believe Haggard used to that. ------------------ [This message was edited by Craig A Davidson on 08 January 2002 at 02:18 PM.] |
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erik Member From: |
posted 08 January 2002 05:37 PM
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You're Norwegian AND left-handed[?] Wow, i can only handle so much.  [This message was edited by erik on 08 January 2002 at 05:39 PM.] |
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Jussi Huhtakangas Member From: Helsinki, Finland |
posted 08 January 2002 11:01 PM
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I just watched a Jim Reeves documentary few days ago. While it didn't really say he was an SOB ( surprise ), it was stated, that he was extremely demanding and perfectionist ,in the studio in particular. But it was also said, that he had his darker moments, with walking off stage in a middle of a song etc. One of the guys interviewed in the documentary was Leo Jackson, his guitar player from mid 50's to the end. He seemed to remember fondly his days in the band, and I doubt he would have stayed in the bandwagon, if Jim was a total @$$hole. Jussi |
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Gregg Galbraith Member From: Goodlettsville,Tn.,USA |
posted 09 January 2002 01:20 AM
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I work on sessions with Leo 3 or 4 times a month, and have done so for about 25 years. I've never heard Leo say an unkind word about Jim. Leo went to work with Reeves at the age of 14, and was with him until the plane crash,with the exception of a couple years in the army. The only thing that Leo has told me about Jim's being tempermental is the fact that Jim had a rider in his contract that a good, in-tune piano was to be furnished by the promoter. In a few cases, when Dean Manual, Jim's piano player (and pilot) told Jim that he absolutely could not play the piano that was provided for a show, Jim "walked." Of course, the fans directed their anger at Reeves, not the promoter of the show, who was probably trying to "cut corners." |
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Craig A Davidson Member From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA |
posted 09 January 2002 06:39 AM
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Gregg, The piano incident was in the book too, and you and I can both probably identify with pulling into gigs and not having what the contract says should be there. Some things can be worked around and some can't. An out of tune piano is really hard to work around. I wouldn't blame him I guess. I have heard of artists walking for a lot less. ------------------ |
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Joe Casey Member From: Weeki Wachee .Springs FL (population.9) |
posted 09 January 2002 06:12 PM
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It's one thing to put someone down when they are around to defend themselve.But Jim has been gone for well since 1962. I was lucky enough to have a co-written song recorded by JR.There are lots of artist who are SOB'S and why not.They kept us working.Leo Jackson is one of my Heros. ------------------ |
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Paul Graupp Member From: Macon Ga USA |
posted 10 January 2002 07:31 AM
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I won't repeat any stories out of respect for the dead ! But I have been the personal brunt of his rudeness and have been a wittness to his rudeness and caustic manner towards the same band member on three occasions. I have also been present when a USO show for GIs in Germany was cancelled because of his behavior. I cannot and will not dispute others good memories of JR but on the other hand I cannot convince myself I didn't see and hear what I did. Their opinions and memories are theirs and mine are mine. The only consolation I have is that I didn't participate in it or try to return the favor. No disrepect is implied but the truth will out. Regards, Paul |
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Donny Hinson Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A. |
posted 10 January 2002 08:45 PM
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I never knew the man, but the man could sing!!! His voice then, and even more so today, had few equals. Smooth, flawless, perfect pitch, and good COUNTRY songs...even without a steel guitar. |
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Jody Sanders Member From: Magnolia,Texas |
posted 10 January 2002 10:15 PM
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I know where you are coming from Paul. Jim was probably one of the greatest singers that ever lived. He also had an ego and temper to match. He was not always on his best behavior with the band. His classic remark,"all steel guitar players have brain damage" gave a lot of us a lot of laughs over the years. Jody. |
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Paul Graupp Member From: Macon Ga USA |
posted 11 January 2002 06:43 AM
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I certainly loved his voice and that may be why I saw him so many times. I guess I could say I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. From Mexican Joe forward through the years I liked everything he did. Maybe that is why the other side of him is such a sad situation to recall.  Regards, Paul |
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Gene Jones Member From: Oklahoma City, OK USA |
posted 11 January 2002 07:34 AM
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I vividly recall an artical on this subject in "Steel Guitar World Magazine", but since some of those quoted in SGWM are members of this Forum I'll let them choose whether or not to expand on it.  |
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Erv Niehaus Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA |
posted 11 January 2002 07:55 AM
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Gene: I think I read the same article. If I recall correctly, a band bus was cruising down the road and the news item came over the radio that Jim Reeves had been killed and they all cheered. Does this ring a bell? |
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Paul Graupp Member From: Macon Ga USA |
posted 11 January 2002 10:48 AM
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The article referred to is in Vol no. 7, issue #42 of SGWM. It was written by Wayne Yakes of Colorado. I'm not sure of copywrite priviledges and such since the magazine is now defunct. The discussion is about the Cherokee Cowboys and Buddy Emmons upon hearing of the death of Jim Reeves. If anyone wants a take on that, they can e-mail me but I don't think I may put it on the Forum for propritary reasons. Perhaps Russ Rask may have some of the old issues of the magazine he might sell because it is vital copy for steel guitar history. Regards, Paul |
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jim miller unregistered |
posted 12 January 2002 02:10 PM
For the last 3 or 4 months I have had the pleasure of playing a few gigs with Royce Morgan. As a lot of you know, he was with Jim Reeves during the time Leo was in the army. I told him about this posting and he told me that all this is pretty much true. He said that JR never gave him any trouble but then if you do know Royce, you know that he is big enough to stand flat footed and doo doo in a dump truck, so there is no wonder he didn't have any trouble. Royce said that it is a shame we couldn't have gotten some comments from Bobby Garrett on this subject so he could tell us about the time JR kicked his steel down a flight of stairs. Concerning another post here, it is really hard for me to believe that some one would cheer another person's death. Unless it is some one like Bin Laden. Jim Miller I'D RATHER BE STEELIN' |
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BobbeSeymour Member From: Hendersonville TN USA |
posted 13 January 2002 04:21 PM
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Jim Reeves? -----not that good a pilot either! |
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Rick Garrett Member From: Tyler, Texas |
posted 19 January 2002 05:05 AM
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I've heard some really good stories about Jim Reeves and his attitude. I can sum it up in two words. Gifted and EGO.  I didnt know him personally so I cant say too much about that but I recently bought my Dads guitar from the Jim Reeves estate and its the one that ol Jim kicked down a flight of stairs. I'm trying to post a pic of it but so far no luck. I now have two of his guitars now but my favorite is the Fender that I just got this week. Thanks Jody Sanders for sharing some of the history of this guitar. |
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