“Top” Ten Music Aviation Tragedies: Jim Reeves (#1)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (65525)
United States
February 29, 2024 9:51am CST
Yesterday was spent with friends, and I was dog tired when I got into the room. I’ll catch you up, fear not. As for right now, we’ll close the book on looking at the musicians who met an untimely end in an aviation accident. One more big shout-out to @JudyEv who suggested this topic. Not “fun,” but it’s good to remember these talents. As for the top spot…anyone who didn’t see this one coming just doesn’t know me.
#1: Jim Reeves
The reason I don’t have any photos of the crash site to share is there’s really nothing to see. (Plus, it’s on private property.) Just woods and brush, much like it was the day Gentleman Jim’s life ended.
Let’s go back to August 2, 1964. We were at Mammoth Cave, taking a tour of the cave. When we got back to the car, little me was waiting impatiently as the tube warmed up so the radio would start playing. (You could see the glow of the tube through the speaker grate in the middle of the dash. You kids today just don’t know.
) Once the tube warmed up we heard the news from WSM in Nashville that they had found the wreckage of the plane.
Now, for a second, let’s to back to 1963. As I mentioned, the NTSB listed pilot error as the cause of the Cline/Copas/Hawkins crash: a simple case of a pilot not experienced enough or legally cleared to fly with instruments in bad weather. When Reeves heard the report, he was brutally critical, saying, “I’d never do something like that.”
Okay, let’s be fair. Jim (another singer with a pilot’s license) did not take off from Arkansas, where he’d been to look at some property to purchase, against advice. The storm he flew into was one of those typical late July “popcorn” storms. However, Reeves was told to make a right turn over Franklin, Tennessee to avoid the storm. He decided to turn left, instead, to follow Franklin Road (an easy landmark) toward the airport.
The official findings is that the plane stalled and Reeves reacted the wrong way, putting the plane in full power. His last word, according to numerous historical accounts, was “Nega..” He didn’t get tive out (“negative”) before the plane crashed.
The crash happened along Franklin Road, in a still-wooded area. Marty Robbins was outside in the storm, collecting rain water to wash his hair (he’d heard rain water was good for the hair [obviously back before the days of “acid rain”]) and he heard the crash. He went back in the house and told his wife, “Somebody’s just been killed out there.”
That was on a Friday. Sunday afternoon they found the wreckage. Reeves’ manager and piano player, Dean Manuel, had gone to Arkansas with Reeves (because Dean was from Arkansas…and partly because Jim was an impulse buyer, so he was probably trying to keep Reeves from buying the state), was the other victim of the crash.
Cause of crash: pilot error, just like with Randy Hughes’ fatal mistake with Patsy, Cope, and Hawk.
This July will make 60 years. I’ve gotten older, but Jim Reeves is still my favorite singer. That’ll never change.
Thanks for reading.
Jim Reeves
Born James Travis Reeves
August 20, 1923 - July 31, 1964 (age 40)
Dean Manuel
January 1, 1934 - July 31, 1964 (age 30)
Place of crash: Franklin Road, Brentwood, Tennessee
After the “Nashville sound” took off, Jim wasn’t allowed to do much straight-up country music. Here’s one he did sneak out (and Linda? NO!!!):
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10 people like this
9 responses
@FourWalls (65525)
• United States
1 Mar
Yes, that was a voice and a half.
Thanks again for the suggestion!!! ![](/Content/images/emotes/hugs.gif)
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1 person likes this
@FourWalls (65525)
• United States
1 Mar
@JudyEv —
It was my privilege, because a lot of these performers had been forgotten.
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1 person likes this
@JudyEv (334661)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Mar
@FourWalls I've really enjoyed the series. If I come up with another one, I'll let you know! ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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1 person likes this
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@FourWalls (65525)
• United States
29 Feb
You say that every time I mention him!!! ![](/Content/images/emotes/rofl.gif)
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1 person likes this
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@DWDavis (25806)
• United States
1 Mar
I was only 3 when we lost Jim Reeves but grew up listening to my dad's Jim Reeves records. He had an unforgettable voice that could reach right inside you and squeeze the emotions out.
Here's my favorite Jim Reeves' song, with an interesting follow up by Jeanne Black.
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1 person likes this
@FourWalls (65525)
• United States
1 Mar
“Answer songs” were so common in country music back then. Another one of the “big four” of 1960 was Hank Locklin’s “Please Help Me, I’m Falling,” which inspired the answer song, “I Can’t Help You (I’m Falling Too).”
Jim could melt an iceberg or freeze a hot spring with that voice of his.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16486)
• United States
1 Mar
This month has been a sad countdown. But also a learning one for me. There were some I had forgotten about, some I didn't know and some I remember as if it just happened. Thanks as always, for sharing you wealth of knowledge with us. ![](/Content/images/emotes/hugs.gif)
And he is always been a favorite of mine too![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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1 person likes this
@FourWalls (65525)
• United States
1 Mar
I went by the Skynyrd crash site today (I’ll detail that later), and for once “Free Bird” was so appropriate. ![](/Content/images/emotes/sad.gif)
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1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78889)
• East Tawas, Michigan
29 Feb
My mother used to play Jim Reeves music, often! Being on a 331/3 record, she would turn it over and play the other side, also:) I love Jim Reeve's singing!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (65525)
• United States
1 Mar
I’ve de-cluttered a lot, including my record collection, but I still have those Jim Reeves albums!
1 person likes this
@kobesbuddy (78889)
• East Tawas, Michigan
1 Mar
@FourWalls We loved listening to Jim Reeves, Jerry Burk, Burl Ives and other talented musicians, in the morning.
@LindaOHio (171019)
• United States
1 Mar
Such a pity. So many artists taken too soon.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (65525)
• United States
1 Mar
And now you know. And, as I said, these were only the ones I like. People like Randy Rhoads (Ozzy’s guitar player) or Aaliyah.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (176876)
• United States
29 Feb
My dad used to listen to Jim Reeves.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (88401)
• Arvada, Colorado
29 Feb
There's another guy my Dad used to play..records we would listen too RIP I remember him.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (65525)
• United States
29 Feb
I grew up on his music…and I’m growing old on it.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (77674)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
29 Feb
Sure loved this guy and his music, Sure glad they didn't crash land on Marty Robbins house,
1 person likes this
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