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Posted by Bob Chudicek
on July 17, 2009, 2:28 pm
24.3.12.16
This is the latest post on www.jimreevesfanclub.com
58TH ANNIVERSARY OF JIM REEVES' FIRST PERFORMANCE ON THE LOUISIANA HAYRIDE
On this day 58 years ago, Jim Reeves performed on the famous Louisiana Hayride for the first time. Jim sang “I Can't Help It If I'm Still In Love With You”, a Hank Williams composition, “Unfaithful One”, an Ernest Tubb song and a Hank Thompson composition “Today”. His second performance on the Hayride happened when, according to former 'Hayride' presenter Frank Page, Sleepy LaBeef who was scheduled to appear at the 'Hayride' on January 24, 1953. On his way to Shreveport, he got a flat tyre and missed the performance. Jim was asked to fill his slot and he performed a few songs he had recorded in the Jim Beck studio in Dallas some weeks before, Jim sang 'Wagonload of Love', 'What Were You Doing Last Night', and 'How Many'. At Jim's third, and for many years believed to be his FIRST Hayride appearance, he sang 'Mexican Joe' on Saturday February 21, 1953.
I didn't quite agree with the dates posted by Arie so I sent this email to him....
Arie,
I always read all the postings on the various Jim Reeves web sites and usually have no comment, this time is different. On various occasions I've heard it said that Jim made his first appearance on the Louisiana Hayride in July, 1951. There is absolutely no proof that Jim ever appeared that early on the Hayride. Without proof that statement is just empty rhetoric and should not be mentioned unless proof can be offered. Is there proof? Do you have proof positive details? I know about the acetate recording of Jim supposedly in 1951 on the Hayride. I personally spoke to the seller of that transcription, I know what was written on the label. I know that a collector spent quite a bit of money to buy it and lock it away...is this the proof that the Reeves fans are supposed to swallow as fact?
Let's also discuss Jim's "second" appearance on the Hayride on January 24, 1953. Again where is the historical documentation? You are right, at this point in time it is believed that Jim's first appearance on the Hayride was on February 21, 1953. That date, so far, is documented as Jim's first appearance of the Hayride. I am not so close-minded not to believe that Jim could have appeared on the Hayride prior to February 21, 1953. Prove it. Don't talk and write about it, give us the historical proof that all Reeves fans crave.
How would the loyal Reeves fans feel about learning that someone has historically important material and they are selfishly not sharing it, but in the meantime referring to it and expecting us to take on faith that they are telling the truth and that it is indeed fact? All the Reeves fans know exactly who the eBay buyer was of this historically important recording, it is no secret. If the recording and other important historical information is being held back by some sort of long standing verbal feud between the buyer of the transcription and the author of the upcoming book, it's time that it has ended. The information and recordings must be turned loose before we are all dead, all the Reeves fans, and nobody gives a damn any longer!
Several years ago I purchased a hand-written day-by-day diary of Jim's first trip to South Africa. All of the pages are written in Jim's own hand-writing. There is so much interesting information in this small booklet that nobody is aware of. Jim mentions a man, who I have exchanged emails with many times, who was instrumental in bringing Jim Reeves to SA twice. And yes, this man is still living and very much active in the entertainment business in SA. I now have this hand-written diary in my possession. Did you know that I had such an important document in my possession? Probably not, nobody does. Am I holding back this information? Yes I am....for the time being. Every page of this diary will be published in Larry's book. Will there ever really be a book? Yes, there will!
I challenge you and the keeper of this information to bring it forth and prove that the information of your post is indeed fact. I will post this email and your response on the fan forum once all parties involved have ample time to respond.
Bob
Here is the response I received from Arie via email
Hi Bob,
Thank you for your interest in the recent posting. Unfortunately, no
publication date for an article about this interesting part of Jim's
career in the fan club magazine has been set yet.
with kindest regards,
Arie
"Now that's my story my testimony stands...
...and the case is in your hands"
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Chudicek
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