JIM REEVES FAN FORUM

Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 4, 2019, 8:22 pm

I have been planning penning this post for a number of weeks. I am sure that I will fail to document all I want to say, but I'm going to give it a try.
I have to start by saying that I am very saddened about the up coming Ken Burns Country Music Documentary, because I am certain that Jim Reeves Legacy, the Nashville Sound, and Reeves major contribution in spreading Country Music to the United Kingdom and the rest of the world will not be properly represented. Jim Reeves will yet again receive a "short shrift" relative to his talent, influence and legacy.
I have tried in my small way to see that this injustice would not occur especially in this monumental documentary. The following are some of my efforts and observations.
On or about 2013 PBS released a couple of programs "Remembering George Jones". Recently deceased at the time they kept referring to Jones as the "Greatest Country Singer". I was aghast. I had seen Jones and Tammy Wynette in Hartford Connecticut, and he was terrible. He was hostile on stage, probably due to his troubled marriage at that time to Tammy Wynette. Tammy Wynette performed well, but the tension between them was palpable and shown through to the audience. We all know George Jones had some very successful recordings and I do not disparage that, but his voice was sandpaper compared to the velvet Jim Reeves.
I vowed to set PBS straight and guide them to the career of Jim Reeves for inclusion their future Country Music documentary.
I am retired 30 year veteran of the Holyoke Massachusetts Police Department serving a Chief 1991 to 1994. Aron Vega was one of Holyoke's first Latino City Councilors, moving up to Massachusetts State Representative (vege@mahouse.gov). Aron Vega worked as a film editor for Ken Burns for many years.
Some time in 2013 Ken Burns and Aron Vega held a meeting at City Square in Holyoke. I could not attend the meeting but left a composition I drafted about Country Music, George Jones, and the necessity for PBS to fill a void in producing the Jim Reeves story.
I left the document with Vega's representative. The next two days I made numerous calls to Ken Burns at WETA Washington DC, leaving numerous messages receiving no response. I tried to get Jim Reeves history to PBS while their "Country Music Documentary" was in production. No Go.
Now the Documentary is "in the can" and any attempt to get Jim Reeves his due is fruitless.
I notice in the 25 minute promotion video with Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan the following observations.
1. Johnny Cash is given much more credit for the success of country music than I think appropriate.
2. Tom Dooley is presented as country when it is folk music.
3. Patsy Cline is given due respect with no mention of the similar tragedy Jim Reeves suffered a year later.
4. Charlie Pride, a great artist and person, is also given respect he is due, but it was Jim Reeves in the early 60's that had more impact, especially in bringing Country Music to the world. Even Charlie Pride did a Jim Reeves tribute album. No mention of Elton John's admiration of Jim Reeves in the UK.
5. Both Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan make excuses for their lack of inclusion in the documentary before release. They make fun of it.
Lastly, check the song tracks on the 5 CD set associated with the program. They are terrible and proof positive that Jim Reeves story will not be properly told.
Ken Burns lives in Walpole New Hampshire. He attended Hampshire College in the Peoples Republic of Amherst Massachusetts, an extremely liberal institution promoting "alternative education" where I think he met his future wife from Walpole NH. This institution is way out there with the students grading themselves with questionable academics. They refused to fly the American Flag some time ago causing all kinds of protest and media attention. Rachel Maddow the liberal MSNBC commentator is also from the area.
I mention these things because I have lived next to these liberal college towns all my life, and to state that these people do not accept a position not their own. they refuse to acknowledge intelligence beyond theirs, and a differing view is met with skepticism, and ridicule, and finally a differing viewpoint must be made by crazies.
There in no chance that any Jim Reeves input will be accepted, contrary too what anyone might believe.
This is tragic because Burns is respected for his productions such as "The Civil War", "Jazz", "Vietnam", and others.
This documentaries "crimes of omission" will do terrible damage to the future of Jim Reeves Legacy.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Larry Jordan <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Larry+Jordan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 7, 2019, 7:28 am, in reply to "Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

WOW. Thanks for posting this. I had no idea you had been making attempts to make sure Ken Burns covered Jim Reeves in his new documentary!!!!

However -- one point I want to address and that concerns your denigration of "liberals." I am one. And yet I wrote the 672-page, award-winning book, "Jim Reeves: His Untold Story."

So I don't think being "liberal" had anything to do with Ken Burns apparently not including Jim in his documentary. After all, "liberal" generally means open-minded as most definitions of conservative encompass being traditional and not open to new thoughts or experiences.

Anyway, one important factor here is that Michael Streissguth, who produced the trash book on Jim some years ago, brags that he has served as a consultant to Mr. Burns since 2013. It would not be beyond the realm of possibility that he influenced the Burns people to NOT include Jim, since he is highly jealous of Reeves' contributions to country music as Streissguth is hung up on Eddy Arnold. Eddy had no Number One hits after Jim arrived in Nashville, and stole "Make the World Go Away" even though both he and Chet Atkins knew that it had been planned that RCA would release that song as a single from Jim's posthumous 1965 album. I know, because Mary Reeves personally told me about how betrayed she felt. Of course, Eddy also tried to copy everything about Jim, including his manner of dress, even recorded an original Christmas song that had been present to Jim by a good friend of his in England, and that Reeves had planned to do at his next session, and also tried to duplicate Jim's success in South Africa by recording music for that market. He failed.

At this point we don't know for sure that Jim is not mentioned in the documentary, but if he is, it seems odd that he does not appear in the half-hour promo, nor are any of his tracks in that accompanying CD set.

Mary and I used to talk about how Jim was constantly being overlooked and neither of us can understand why. At least the Academy of Country Music still acknowledges Jim's contribution because they still bestow an annual "Jim Reeves International" award to major country stars of today.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 7, 2019, 12:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

Thanks for your response to my posting. I would like to alleviate your concern, and add a couple of things that I knew I would forget in the original post. Lets get to your response proper.

First, it was not, nor is, my intention to denigrate "liberals". Half the country is liberal. I consider myself either conservative or liberal depending upon the particular issue. My intention was to describe the conduct and attitude of those exposed to the extremely liberal institutions of higher learning of which Ken Burns is a product. Your definition of liberal, which I agree with, does not seem to exist in today's college campus environment if current news reports are correct.
Hampshire College, Smith College, and Mount Holyoke College are in this category.
I have friends and relatives who were in law enforcement at those institutions who were forbidden and even punished for performing proper police duties up to and including making arrests for sexual or domestic abuse. But, we are completely off topic.

As far as Your Book, it is a monumental work which I am proud to be quoted in. I believe your book is evaluated on its content not the political views of the author.

I don't think Ken Burns being liberal had anything to do with whether Jim Reeves would be included in the documentary or not. I do believe that his educational environment had everything to do with not entertaining input regarding the content of the documentary.

I agree totally with your Eddy Arnold history.

Now to the things I forgot to mention in my first posting.

While attending a function at my grandchildren's high school library, I discovered "The Encyclopedia of Country Music" compiled by the staff of the Country Music Hall of Fame. I had my grandchildren get me a copy as it is very comprehensive and Jim Reeves gets very good coverage. I wonder if Burns had used this work as a guide in his documentary if Jim Reeves would get proper coverage?

A check of Jim Reeves on YouTube shows strong and growing current interest and appreciation of Jim Reeves music, by younger generations. Did Burns take note?
No mention of the movie "Kimberly Jim" that we know of, or Reeves contribution to the expansion of Country Music world wide.

My wife and I were surfing the web a few years ago. We discovered the obituary of a woman from Chicopee Massachusetts, a neighboring town to us. She mentions the effect Jim Reeves music had on her life in her obituary. Impressive. I haven't been able to find it again.

Finally, it is true that we don't know for sure whether Jim Reeves will get adequate mention in the Burns 8 part documentary or not.

It is for sure that the indicators are not good

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by TONY WALL <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Tony+Wall' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on August 21, 2019, 12:24 am, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

I have not posted for a long time ….
How ever, the issue regarding Mr Burns Country Music documentary .
One only has to read the inscription on Jim's plaque in the Country Music Hall of Fame to appreciate the contribution he made to Country music worldwide.
“Is rich voice brought millions of new fans to country music from every corner of the world”
And you know what....IT STILL IS.

“He will be remembered as one one of country music's most important performers”

Now I ask, is the Country Music Foundation wrong ? I don't think so.......

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Paul <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Paul+Bertils' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 11, 2019, 8:40 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

More Info re Burns and Duncan,

Their book entitled Country Music-an Illustrated History (the "Film" Series is based on this book I gather) is now available in Canada and the USA. Cost in each country is a shade over 50 dollars. It is about 560 pages in total and was published in 2019. However,a quick perusal of the text indicates that Jim Reeves is mentioned only six times (page 213 .one sentence;page 231 one sentence ;page 233 a small photo of Jim;page 241 one sentence about Carnegie Hall; page 266 one sentence about the plane crash;page 267 one sentence about recording a song by Miller (Roger I assume). Enough said I guess!!!!!If you want to read about Jim there is only on book on the market you should look at and buy at your convenience that is the one by Larry.(I have the first edition and I am now waiting for the Kindle version of the second printing).

I note also that Amazon has a 5 disc series based on the book and the "film". I did not see one song listed by Jim at all which tells you something about the PBS series I guess .It more or less confirms the content of one or more of the preceding posts. Sad !!!

Cheers!

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 13, 2019, 12:14 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

Thank you for your input. I feel so bad about this. Seems crazy but I think about this almost every day, with new comments that could or should be made, in support of Jim's career getting proper recognition.

One thought I had today was, who has such a wonderful voice that he could record an entire album of spoken recitations, every one being a musical work of art? (Talking to your Heart)

Also, how about all the artists that did Jim Reeves tribute albums. The list is long and distinguished. I'll bet my house there will be no mention of that. Or the Movie "Kimberly Jim", nothing I bet.

Ken Burns crew are now holding programs in my area (Northampton Massachusetts) promoting the documentary, according to local news. They, like what we see advertised by PBS about the documentary, are terrible in my view. At least what I saw on local news short excerpts.

I think these postings should be transferred to the Facebook Page for greater exposure and garner more input.

I tried my best in 2013, to get Jim Reeves proper recognition but failed. I spent 4 years in High School sitting next to Carlos Vega the deceased father of Aaron Vega Burns film editor yet could get no response from PBS, or Burns regarding Jim Reeves inclusion in their documentary.

These people know everything and don't recognize or accept opinions beyond their own. Check out Ken Burns support for Hampshire College where he was educated. The place is a FAILURE, Burns is single handedly trying to fund the college institution which, last I heard, had about 15 students enrolled. They grade THEMSELVES, talk about crazy. Parents have commented on the internet about removing their children and enrolling them in "REAL" colleges.

They are not as smart as they think, yet it appears that this documentary is being vigorously promoted as one of Ken Burns best. I think not, so far without seeing it.

Like I said before this is probably a "crime of omission", and a travesty to Country Music and the Nashville Sound.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Paul <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Paul+Bertils' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 17, 2019, 2:19 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

For the Ken Burns 'fans'(and I assume that would not be all that many on this website) he was on MSNBC today on the Morning Joe program. He had about ten minutes of air time to talk about his "Film". Nothing earth shaking was mentioned and the only artist that got some "airtime" of sorts was Ray Charles and that was at the behest of Joe Scarborough. Loretta was noted in the introduction ever so briefly.As expected NO comments about JR. I would think the video of that segment is probably available on the website for a limited period of time for those so inclined to see who this gentleman is. Cheers

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Larry Jordan <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Larry+Jordan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 17, 2019, 10:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

I have no intention of wasting my time watching the Ken Burns documentary so I'll rely on somebody else to tell me if Jim is even mentioned. Burns' secretary told me personally I would be pleased, and I already told you of the letter I received from his personal assistant. But they seem to have gone to great lengths to AVOID mentioning Jim, or even including him in their CD set.

Who has a better voice than Jim Reeves? Who was a bigger success internationally in country music than Jim Reeves at his time? Who is the only artist in the history of recorded music to have 34 songs hit the charts after his death? We all know the answer to that.

We also know Michael Streissguth was a "consultant" to Burns for several years so it's not difficult to suspect why Jim did not receive the major focus that he deserved.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 18, 2019, 11:35 am, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

Larry, I have seen Episode 4 and Jim is mentioned briefly. And positively, I thought. Four Walls as played in the background of the segment where he is mentioned. I expect there will be more about him in Episode 5.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 18, 2019, 11:39 am, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

Larry, I have seen Episode 4 and Jim is mentioned briefly. And positively, I thought. Four Walls was played in the background of the segment where he is mentioned. I expect there will be more about him in Episode 5.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Larry Jordan <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Larry+Jordan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 18, 2019, 7:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

Who mentions him? Someone on camera, or is it just a voiceover? No video of Jim singing?

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 18, 2019, 7:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

14 Minutes into the second hour of Episode 4, still Pictures of Jim with Four Walls playing in the background. Unless there is follow up in Episode 5 this is almost criminal. It appears that Marty Stewart is a big contributor to the Documentary. Does he not like Jim Reeves? Don't know.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 18, 2019, 7:42 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

He is mentioned by the narrator. There are photos of Jim in Studio B with the musicians he often used (Anita Kerrs, Cecil Brower, et al, Cramer, Velma Smith, etc.) No video. But they didn't talk about him much. I expect the next episode will have more about him (scheduled for Thursday night on my PBS station).

You might search for Ken Burns' Country music episodes. There's a good chance you can watch Episode 4, which played tonight on PBS. I'll try to find where in that film Jim appears and let you know.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 18, 2019, 7:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

Start at the 1:10 mark. One hour and ten minutes.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 18, 2019, 8:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

I just read a description of Episode 5 which covers 1964-1968. There was no mention of Jim in it. I now expect that, if Jim is mentioned at all, it will be something concerning his death. If that is true, then I will be disappointed and angry, but not surprised.

,

Sad

Posted by Larry Jordan <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Larry+Jordan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 18, 2019, 10:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

I saw the show tonight and thought I was watching a documentary on Johnny Cash's life. He was clearly the main focus throughout the 2 hours -- what was happening in his life and career. Other artists were incidental to him.

Patsy Cline, of course, got a lot of attention which was fine, but Jim Reeves was mentioned ONCE. Although they talked about what was happening musically in 1959 and '60, how is it possible they could fail to mention "He'll Have To Go," which sold over 3 million recordings?

The Nashville Sound was briefly mentioned with a stale quote from Chet Atkins about it being about money. Actually, Chet had on various occasions been much more analytical in interviews but they chose to use that one stupid comment.

One thing that irked me is how they were so out of sequence with their photos; in mentioning Jim the camera zoomed in on the new RCA studio which Reeves never recorded it; the groundbreaking ceremony for it was held July 31 -- the day he was killed. Also, this misplaced "Four Walls" in the wrong year of course. And they showed still photos of Jim in the studio at his Christmas recording session without mentioning his name until the very end of that segment.

They showed a photo of the first Country Music Hall of Fame, which opened in 1967, and certainly doesn't belong in a show that supposedly covered the period up to 1963!

A lot of the footage is not new -- it's been around a long time. I realize that the producers needed to rely on that in the case of artists who are deceased. But anyone who has followed country music for awhile has already seen a lot of this.

Willie Nelson was quoted as saying that RAY CHARLES did more for country music than anybody else. Really?

Spending two hours listening to a listless, monotone narrator was really irritating. This guy showed no enthusiasm for his subject matter.

As much as I have admired Ken Burns' past work, he really blew it this time.

My impression is that this particular show was put together by somebody who knows absolutely nothing about country music and didn't bother to enlighten themselves. That dubious honor accrues to Dayton Duncan who scripted it. He's a long time partner of Ken. But ultimately everybody connected with this absolutely joyless and dreadful so-called documentary is to blame. There were numerous little errors along the way as well. Even when they talked about the plane crash that killed Patsy, they showed a twin engine plane. She was NOT killed in a twin engine aircraft. And they made it sound like Randy Hughes was flying her to all her show dates. Absurd.

I saw nobody's story on TV tonight that was more compelling than Jim Reeves.'s life, which remained UNTOLD. Yet Jim was only perfunctorily mentioned while we kept seeing and hearing Johnny Cash photos and video clips. Disgusting.

Re: Sad

I have to agree with you. I've seen enough of Cash for a while! I never liked his singing, and now I know more about him than I care to.

I'm going to watch episode 5 tomorrow and see if they say anything else about Jim.

THIS IS SHOCKING

Tonight I tuned in to "The 11th Hour" with Brian Williams, whom I really like. It is a POLITICAL show that airs nightly on MSNBC, that covers Trump, Congress, serious world events. It is normally very informative with outstanding experts and brilliant questioning by Mr. Williams.

But tonight, to my utter astonishment and disbelief, the latter part of the show was devoted to an interview with KEN BURNS. Brian Williams, who is a very polished newsman whom I've always known to keep his emotions in check, was like a giggly school girl when he sat opposite Mr. Burns. He was so excited and delivered one compliment after another to Burns, who exalted in the praise.

There is no doubt Ken's head is filled with a lot of knowledge, but it is hard to understand why he is so totally oblivious to the importance of Jim Reeves.

Instead, he said excitedly that if, after seeing his documentary, Hollywood doesn't rush to make a movie about Merle Haggard, because Merle was so fascinating, then he would be very surprised.

Jim Reeves absolutely doesn't exist.

I watch "The 11th Hour" every night, M-F, and I have never seen the set transformed into how it looked tonight; there were pictures of country music artists surrounding Brian and Ken as they spoke and OF COURSE, Jim was not among them. Brian also read a list of stars who are featured in the documentary, and Jim's name was not mentioned.

Burns has won big awards for his documentaries on such subjects as the Civil War, so he is highly regarded. I've never seen Brian Williams set aside his dignity like he did tonight and gush about somebody or do such blatant promotion as he did for the Burns country music series.

I would say after seeing this spectacle tonight that Ken Burns' real genius is NOT film making...it is self-promotion.

I have been immersed in country music for 50+ years. I have gotten to know many artists and in the course of doing my book on Jim, have gathered massive amounts of information on many artists whose lives intersected with Jim.

I can tell you for a fact that the Burns series -- while it contains some nuggets of useful information here and there -- conveys only a fraction of the total picture of country music. It is like an alternate universe. Even the well known historic events of country music are not told well; they are superficial or factually incomplete or misleading. It boggles the mind that this series would receive such massive publicity and would thereby distort people's perception of country music and which stars were important and which ones were less so.

I base my assessment on having been able to access the bulk of the 16 hours the series comprises today (which is available online). They have taken so much that is irrelevant or trivial and focused huge amounts of time on it, while totally missing the larger story.

BTW, Johnny Cash was again a main focus and his picture was prominent in the lead-in to the interview. Everything revolves around Cash and the Carter family and June Carter, and Roseanne Cash on camera, and a bloated looking fake cowboy Garth Brooks talking about how country comes from the heart.

This is a monumental failure to tell the story. They have it so tangled up with rock, rockabilly, jazz, black music, bluegrass, etc. It's just a MESS.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 19, 2019, 1:50 pm, in reply to "THIS IS SHOCKING"

I posted a response but it went up as a new listing instead of here where I intended it. Sorry

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 19, 2019, 8:49 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

I went to YouTube to see the Brian Williams interview you mention. In my initial post in this thread I mentioned that in 2013 one of the things motivating me to get PBS to recognize Jim Reeves was their George Jones documentary stating that Jones was "The greatest Country Singer". Jones has had a little coverage in this series so far yet Brian Williams brings him up and states that since George Jones was so important, and if he wasn't mentioned, the cops would come after Burns.

If that doesn't prove that this interview was scripted nothing does.

Burns demeanor is sickening to watch.

Brian Williams lost credibility years ago with his many untrue stories about his exploits as a journalist. The dead body floating by his hotel in New Orleans story after the Hurricane was the last straw and is why he is with MSNBC and not NBC proper.

Perhaps he sits too close to Roswell Rachel Maddow who lives in Northampton Massachusetts next to Burns alma mater Hampshire College, Amherst Massachusetts.

I'll bet the talented Mr. Burns alternative education at Hampshire College's is their only success story.

All said PBS owes Jim Reeves and us fans a separate documentary, as they have done for lesser artists.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 19, 2019, 9:26 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

I would prefer a bio of Jim Reeves to be done by someone who knows about him and appreciates him. I doubt if there is anyone at PBS who fits that description. Ken Burns doesn't.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 19, 2019, 10:09 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

You're right. Judging by what has been shown so far it appears that Burns and Duncan were being led by Marty Stewart and the Carter, Cash clan.

What also comes through clearly is that Jim Reeves is being deliberately relegated to obscurity.

This is no accident.

One thing that came to mind is how many contributors are envious of the quality of Jim's voice and success, and color their coverage accordingly.

Food for thought.

As it stands right now Burns is in the cat bird seat and smarter than all of us.

Perhaps our comments can and should be brought to PBS attention.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Larry Jordan <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Larry+Jordan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 19, 2019, 10:30 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

Micheal Streissguth, who wrote the trash book on Jim years ago -- that inspired me to write a TRUE biography of this great artist -- served as a "consultant" to Ken Burns, since 2013. That explains a lot. As I said before, Streissguth has written several books on Johnny Cash and he has gotten a lot of things wrong in his book. The blind leading the blind is not a good scenario.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2019, 7:58 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

Just watched episode 5 of Ken Burns' Country Music. I had a phone call for about 5 minutes during it, but I could still see the TV. Unless I missed something, there was no mention of Jim Reeves. Nothing. Zilch. But plenty more about Johnny Cash. Now the series is up through 1968. I don't expect to see any mention of Jim from this point forward.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2019, 8:08 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

Deliberate omission. They are repeating that same lesser artists. This is AWFUL.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2019, 8:56 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

Of course its deliberate. Part of an agenda? They don't seem to like "The Nashville Sound" very much. They haven't given much attention to Eddy Arnold either, though I thought they would since Larry said Michael Streissguth was an advisor. Very disappointing to me. But, I should have expected this.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 22, 2019, 9:42 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

I feared this would happen in 2013 when I tried to get PBS / Ken Burns to recognize Jim in their documentary. When I saw the tracks in 5 CD set I knew it was over. The likelihood of Jim Getting proper recognition in the last 3 episodes is slim to none. Who is this Marty Stewart to be the determining factor in determining the history of country music? Snippets of Jim's surrounding appear with no connection to Jim. This is a total travesty and should be brought to PBS attention although nothing will happen. The is all Johnny Cash and the Carter family and Merl Haggard ad nauseum.
Episode 5 was a rehash of prior episodes. This had some interesting moments but is now becoming a waist of time.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2019, 6:25 am, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

Jim brought Country Music to the world. Yet Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, and Ringo Star are featured. REALLY?

I think the "Documentary" will go down as a disgrace to true Country Music.

I remember in High School in the 60's computers were in their infancy. Two radio programs stick in my memory. One was a computer ranking of the greatest Heavy Weight Champion. Rocky Marciano won over Mohamed Ali because he had zero losses, and Ali had one at the time. The computer had to find that way statistically.

The other radio show computer ranked the greatest male County singer at the time. It was a tight competition between Eddy Arnold and Jim Reeves. My high school friends liked Eddy Arnold. If memory serves Jim won.

Neither artist is given much coverage in this show. Eddy minimal and Jim next to none.

Please explain?

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2019, 8:48 am, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

It seems Ken Burns thinks Johnny Cash is the greatest of all time.

I know there are those who detest The Nashville Sound. I wonder if their perspective is dominate in this film. Anyway, I don't like this Ken Burns film.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2019, 12:07 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

It started off OK, with the beginnings that were not commonly known. It was mostly educational.

Unfortunately for my wife and me the crude equipment and sounds of the time are not by any means soothing. My wife could not watch it in spite of the educational value.

The whole thing has now deteriorated to the history of country music as told by the Carter Family, the Cash, family and a guy Marty Stewart.

Second, the documentary is focused on today's political correctness shading the fact that Charlie Pride, and numerous female country stars did in fact succeed back when race and sex were issues.

They are preoccupied with that style with the addition of Buck Owens, and Merl Haggard it seems to the exclusion of "The Nashville Sound" in particular.

The Nashville Sound smoothed out the rough edges of Country music and spread it world wide. They acknowledge that with a couple of sentences, but did absolutely NO IN DEPTH COVERAGE.

We know that some thought the Nashville Sound was not pure country, and while this documentary espouses and supports the ever changing forms of country music it deliberately leaves a big gap covering, in my view, the greatest form ever, with successes to prove it.

Jim gets relegated to obscurity.

Unless episode 6, 7, and 8 correct this I think the documentary is fatally flawed.

Get Burns back on the publicity trail to explain.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2019, 8:39 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

Episode 6, the Vietnam War era.

"Distant Drums" made its way to Vietnam, to the American People, to the United Kingdom, to the top of the charts, and past the Beatles.

It did not make it to Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2019, 8:58 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

No surprise. Was Johnny Cash mentioned?

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 23, 2019, 9:00 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

The whole dam thing just like previous episodes.

This is getting BAD.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Roy Zinck <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Roy+Zinck' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 25, 2019, 12:37 pm, in reply to "Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

I am speechless!! Did I just watch the Johnny Cash show that dominated three episodes ?? This sad excurse for what was supposed to be a history lesson on Country Music is an embarrassment to us all. If Jim Reeves were here today I would have to say I'm so sorry for this travesty, with tears in my eyes. Despite others, your music will remain, long after most of us are gone. This mess of a story has to be our darkest hour to quote a former British Prime Minister.. Larry, you had Burns pegged from the start....sadly, you were correct !!

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 25, 2019, 5:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

How about all the coverage of writers? What happened to Cindy Walker? One of the greatest, oh but she had a relationship with Jim Reeves.

I looked up Marty Stewart because I hadn't heard of him. If you YouTube him you get his history.

This documentary is the history of Country Music according to Marty Stewart, and the styles of music and people he likes to the exclusion of others.

Burns abdicated his responsibility to to justice to ALL of Country Music artists. Many artists besides Jim have been "short shifted"

In 2013 PBS thought George Jones was "The Greatest County Singer"

My efforts to correct the record with PBS and Ken Burns were ignored back then as well as my requests to get Jim Reeves the recognition he so richly deserves.

Episode 8 is televised tonight. So far Jim has gotten no real coverage.

Lazy, incompetent, researchers. A disgrace!

This film is not worth buying.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 25, 2019, 9:16 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

I have not watched much of the film since episode 5, so I can't say who was mentioned in the episodes that followed. Its puzzling that Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold, and Cindy Walker get so little attention when all three are in the Hall of Fame. I can only guess at the motives of the writers. I admit I was hoping for much different than I got. I don't consider this film to be the gold standard on the history of country music. It might not be possible to make a film on country music that would please everyone. This one didn't please me. I won't be watching it again, or recommending it to others.

I would love for someone to make a documentary on "The Nashville Sound" era. Start with Four Walls and cover everyone who fits in that era. Singers, songwriters, musicians, producers, etc..

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 25, 2019, 10:29 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

Unfortunately I suffered through it all. You are 100% correct, in you assessment.

It is not worth watching again. Jim
Reeves gets a few seconds of lackluster coverage.

There were a few negative comments I caught throughout disparaging the Nashville Sound made as asides.

That attitude prevailed throughout.

I thought one of the simplest visuals that would be included in the series was the painting of "Hillbilly Heaven" in the entrance of the Historic Ryman Auditorium.

The artists portrayed in the painting could or would have provided more balanced coverage.

Who is the deceased artist in the center of the Hillbilly Heaven painting?

Why it was Jim Reeves of course.

This documentary was generated and poorly researched by artists with a musical agenda, allowed by a lazy or incompetent Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns, who did not demand balanced coverage including more Legendary Artists.

The same artists, same histories, repeated over too many episodes. Johnny Cash over and over again. George Jones Greatest singer? Give me a break.

This is a PBS FAILURE. Not worth watching again or purchasing.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Mike Slater <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Mike+Slater' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 26, 2019, 12:34 am, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

How right you are, Roy! This documentary hardly covered what anyone would consider to be the complete history of country music. Jim only got about a minute's worth of acknowledgement, which is really heartbreaking. And that's only part of what made this documentary so incomplete. It seems that anything that even had to do with Jim wasn't mentioned either. Very little coverage on "The Nashville Sound", no mention of Cindy Walker, who wrote so many of the biggest country hits, including many that Jim recorded, and so on. Burns was obviously swayed by a select few who seemed to decide for him what should be included and what shouldn't. I have always been a big fan of Ken Burns' work and the excellent documentaries he has covered in the past, but he really screwed up with this one. I heard that PBS also aired a special on Charley Pride recently, although it had nothing to do with Burns. It seems as if every artist in country music will eventually have a show done about them except the greatest of them all, Gentleman Jim Reeves. So much for any logic or common sense being considered in this matter...

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 26, 2019, 12:21 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

I saw the Charlie Pride program as well. It was part of their Legends Series. I kept hoping they would do one on Jim. Now they owe it to Jim to do one.

If they follow the DVD Gentleman Jim Reeves The Story of a Legend, the project is half done.

Someone should make PBS and Burns aware of these postings, and their monumental failure.

There is no way George Jones was the greatest country singer.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 26, 2019, 12:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

Robert, the "greatest singer" is a matter of opinion, isn't it? People like who they like. You and I like Jim Reeves best, but others like someone else. I don't think there is an objective standard to determine who is greatest. Ken Burns and those who helped him do the film obviously don't like Jim's music.

This film has shown me that Burns is not the excellent documentary filmmaker I once thought he was. Now, I am skeptical of everything he has done, or will do in the future. I no longer consider him an expert on anything. I know he has an agenda which for me casts a shadow on his work.

Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary

Posted by Robert Wagner <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Robert+Wagner' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 26, 2019, 1:49 pm, in reply to "Re: Ken Burns Country Music Documentary"

I can't agree with you more. Perhaps my comment on George Jones is too demonstrative. Everyone has there favorites and not all are Reeves fans. I accept that. I just think there are numerous artists I rate higher than Jones.

If you go the start of this string with my first postings my concerns about this "documentary" are routed not only in my failed attempts to get Jim his due with PBS and Burns in 2013, but also my knowledge about Burns educational and social environment.

Imaging attending a College where the students are responsible for everything including educating and grading themselves. This is why I posted that Burns would not accept input from a source not himself. What kind of "education" is that?

I have been researching "Reviews" of Country Music on the internet and it appears its failings are noticed.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Larry Jordan <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Larry+Jordan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 28, 2019, 10:26 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

Streissguth has written several books on Johnny Cash so it's logical to assume he influenced Dayton Duncan, who has zero insight into country music. Marty Stuart video is abundantly available, apparently, because I repeatedly see Marty on various country music "specials", not just Burns.

Marty is a collector, it's true. But he surely doesn't need to be the spokesman.

BBC-2 in England did a special called "Kings of Country" that I helped the producers with, and of course Jim got a lengthy segment. That had been on YouTube until recently and now it's disappeared. I have a VHS copy of it but would have preferred to see the YouTube version in lieu of DVD.

I may have to have my VHS copy (sent to me by the producers) dubbed onto a DVD at some point soon. It came far closer to doing justice to Jim than anything up to that point.

YouTube does have some British video online that also features JR but it is not from "Kings..."

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Gary Bryson <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Gary+Bryson' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on September 29, 2019, 7:30 pm, in reply to "Re: THIS IS SHOCKING"

Larry, I have seen the "Kings of Country" tape about Jim, or at least part of it, on YouTube. I enjoyed it, but it still left me wanting more.

I'm very disappointed in what Burns did. And I've lost a lot of respect for his work.

I'd love it if someone would do a thorough documentary on the "Nashville Sound" and talk about the singers, musicians, songwriters and producers that contributed. That would be very interesting.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Posted by Goran Efvergren <iframe src='https://members3.boardhost.com/jimreeves/info/user=Goran+Efvergren' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on January 12, 2020, 3:05 pm, in reply to "THIS IS SHOCKING"

Hi,I have just seen the "Country Music Documentary" by Ken Burns.To make it short.Im very disappointed.And of course you know why.

Re: THIS IS SHOCKING

Hi,I have just seen the "Country Music Documentary" by Ken Burns.To make it short.Im very disappointed.And of course you know why.It sick..

« Back to index

[ JIM REEVES FAN FORUM ]

TO RETURN TO THE JIM REEVES WAY, CLICK ON JIM'S NAME AT TOP OF PAGE