Posted by JULIE (Webmistress) on November 6, 2013, 2:14 pm
We thought the BBC 2 show was brilliantly done, with expert announcing and editing. They played VoiceMasters overdubs and ALSO material from the 5 CD set, "The Jim Reeves Show" which I recently offered again on my site and that VM has just re-issued!
It was intriguing that after Larry described Jim and Mary's marriage, and how she would fly to wherever he was if he was going to be gone from home more than a couple of weeks -- and mentioned the trip they took to the Missouri Ozarks just before Jim was killed -- the BBC show ran some rare audio (that we had never heard before) of Mary commenting about that very "float trip" and how much fun it was, and how they even ate lunch on a sand bar. So Mary Reeves herself verified one of the stories in Larry's book.
I don't think after people listened to that program that they will think of Reeves' biographer as ANYBODY other than Larry Jordan, and deservedly so, given the massive amount of research and effort that he invested (as well as tens of thousands of dollars) to write it over so many years.
Producer Phil Collinge paid close attention to Larry's suggestions (eg. the mentions of Bea Terry). Even John Rex Reeves had something to offer on the show, which was positive for a change and a welcome addition to the broadcast.
If you haven't listened to it yet, you need to do so because they will only keep the posting online a few weeks! CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO HEAR IT.
With 15 MILLION people listening to BBC 2 radio, this was an impressive tribute to Gentleman Jim! -- JULIE
Speaking of that last fishing trip that Jim and Mary took, there is a newspaper picture of Jim Reeves and their fishing guide each holding one of the 5 1/4 lb. bass that Jim caught at Table Rock Lake. Jim had the biggest grin on his face!