James Travis Reeves was born in Panola County, Texas on August 20, 1924.  He traded a bushful of pears for his first guitar and at the age of ten was given his first job.  For $15.00 he sang with the staff at KRMD radio in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Jim had set his sights on a career in major leaque baseball and in 1945 he signed as a pitcher with the St. Louis Cardinals.  He was sent immediately to their Mobile, Alabama farm club.  A leg injury suffered during a game forced Him to give up his baseball career.  This accident turned out to be the music world's gain.  Jim went on to be a featured performer on radio's "Louisiana Hayride" and the "Grand Ole Opr."  His slower and smoother style won him the name "Mr. Velvet".

In 1955 Jim terminated his contract with Abbott Records and signed with RCA Victor.  His first recording session with RCA was in Nashville, Tennessee on May 31, 1955 and his first album "Singing Down The Lane" was released in 1956.

On July 31, 1964 Jim's private plane crashed just a few miles south of Nashville.  His tragic and untimely death brought to an abrupt end the musical career of a brilliant artist and left behind a legacy of over 300 records and a following of new fans from every corner of the world.  In 1967 he was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

If ever there was a voice destined to remain a favourite with generations of listeners it is the legendary voice of Jim Reeves.