One of the longest threads on this site was posted August 4, 2019.
The main subject was the Ken Burns Country Music Documentary and the abysmal, negligent, coverage of Jim Reeves, and and his importance establishing The Nashville Sound, and spreading it world wide.
Burns, who fancies himself an expert on everything, apparently relied heavily on input from a small number of "Country Music Historians".
I was especially curios about the large amount of content by Marty Stuart, the dearth of Jim Reeves coverage, and Stuart's possible culpability.
Now, I think I have found an answer.
I discovered the Time Life 8 DVD set "Opry Video Classics" in a consignment store for $2.99. It is a very good collection.
Each DVD covered a separate subject in Country Music, but EVERY SINGLE ONE was introduced by Marty Stuart with comments about the performers.
Every DVD featured 15 performances by various artists.
Jim Reeves was featured in 2 DVD's "Legends" and "Honky-Tonk Heroes". Stuart doesn't mention Jim in the introduction of either DVD. It is a glaring omission.
Jim's September 9, 1962 performance of "Four Walls" is in the "Honky-Tonk Heroes" DVD where it does not belong.
The "Legends" DVD lists Jim performing "Tennessee Waltz", when in actuality his does the October 16, 1962 , melody including "He'll Have to Go" which should have taken prominence.
My conclusion is that since Time Life and Ken Burns both used Marty Stuart as a source in their offerings, and Jim is slighted in both, it is not a coincidence.
I think this answers the questions we had back in August 2019.
Thank you Robert for the informative post. I know we all are painfully aware of the slight Jim and his legacy has suffered thru out all these many years. Stuart is just one example and of course, as you mentioned showcasing itself in the joke Burns so called documentary.
The agonizing question for me has always been...WHY. WHY has Jim always missed being recognized for the true artist he surely was ? I know it has been said that Jim Reeves was popular in every country, other than the one he was born in. There may be some truth to that unfortunately. I know Steward and Burns would certainly agree.
All I can say is.. if anyone can tell us WHY this is the case, it will provide an answer to a question that has never made sense.... Thank You..
Thank you for taking the time to consider my post.
I have also wondered much the same as you. It is quite a conundrum.
When one considers all the many tribute albums to Jim by numerous Country Music Artists of stature, living and dead, it makes it all the more confusing. This, in addition to tributs from Artists from different genres, modern artists, and world wide artists like Sissel and others.
A check of YouTube postings is stark testimony to Jim's continuing popularity.
Sometimes I get the feeling that despite all this, Jim's voice was so good that other artists were green with envy, resulting in this lack of coverage.
With the internet, podcasts, and cable channels now available, I trust there is still a hope for a comprehensive Jim Reeves production to be made.
The failure of Marty Stuart to even mention Jim in the introductions of this Time Life offering was really noticeable when comparing it to Ken Burns alleged Documentary.
Roy and Robert, I wish I could add something new here, but I'm as bewildered as you are. Rest assured that Jim still has a worldwide following, but has never received the popularity of artists like Willie, Waylon or Johhny Cash. I would say that the reason is because Jim died so many years ago, but that can't be the reason either. Patsy Cline died the year before Jim, and everyone knows who she is. Patsy even got a proper theatrical film made of her life that was a smash hit. Jim deserves the same treatment. In 1966, Jim won artist of the year in England when the Beatles were at the height of their fame. His posthumous LP "Distant Drums" was the no. 1 album that year in England, beating out the Beatles in their own country. That alone is an amazing accomplishment. Like so many other things in this world, I think politics has a lot to do with why Jim has been slighted all these years, and when was politics ever fair?!...
It is at least comforting to know that Jim's name was included with the other classic artists in country music on this commemorative plaque that stands outside famed Stufio B in Nashville today...
Sissel Kyrkjebo is a Norwegian Singer considered on of the worlds best sopranos. Can be found at sisselmusic.com.
I discovered her when i heard her version of Shenandoah on a TV show. She did background on the Titanic Movie better than Cyllene Dion. Does a beautiful Old lang syne as well.
She has one YouTube singing Jim reeves "Welcome to My World, and another about how her father and family loved Jim Reeves Music.
Big in Norway as we know. Hope this helps. She is a great voice although I am not impresses with her Welcome to my world as much as her others.
I responded to you question in haste earlier this morning. Note grammatical and spelling errors.
There are a number of "voices" today that in my humble opinion are "World Class" in the Jim Reeves Tradition.
They are as follows, Sissel Kyrkjebo from Norway, as previously discussed, Lucy Thomas from the UK, Dana Winner from Germany, and Loren Allred from the USA.
You will find research on them very interesting and rewarding with some great songs.
Note: There are no modern male voices that seem to have "World Class Quality", in my opinion, that I am aware of.
In fact I don't even listen to, or watch, modern Country Music singers or videos. The male artists all seem to be interchangeable mediocrity in voice and appearance.
One thing I recently discovered was that I have available on my smart TV "Stingray Country Greats". The background music is classic country in which Jim is featured quite often.
I am sure others have differing opinions which I naturally respect.
on April 6, 2025, 7:11 pm