Jim Reeves to be inducted into Walk of Stars

July 27, 2007

By Stephanie Netherton
snetherton@gannett.com

Athlete, radio broadcaster, musician and entertainer Jim Reeves will be the next inductee into the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Walk of Stars on Aug. 11.

Reeves made his mark on the area as the host of the KWKH Louisiana Hayride after a serious ankle injury ended his professional baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals.

His career took many twists and turns, and in 1952 when Hank Williams did not show for his Hayride performance Reeves stepped in to share his singing talent.

The broadcaster was soon signed by Abbott Records and by spring of ’53 had a No. 1 hit with “Mexican Joe.”

“We’re excited along with his family and many fans to induct Jim Reeves into the Walk of Stars. His legacy continues to put northwest Louisiana and the Ark-La-Tex in the international spotlight,” said Debra Wayt, senior vice president of membership and marketing.

By 1955, Reeves’ suave, smooth and pop-styled country music earned him the nickname “Gentleman Jim” and in the same year he joined the Grand Ole Opry and moved to the RCA label.

Reeves continued to make major hits and classics like “Four Walls,” “Anna Marie,” “Blue Boy,” “He’ll Have to Go,” “Adios Amigo,” “Welcome to My World,” and “I Guess I’m Crazy.”

At the height of his career, Reeves’ private plane crashed outside Nashville, killing him and his manager, Dean Manuel. The country singer continued to have hits with unreleased material and electronic duets, like “Take Me in Your Arms and Hold Me,” with Deborah Allen and “Have You Ever Been Lonely?” with Patsy Cline.
Reeves was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967 and two years later the Academy of Country Music instituted the Jim Reeves Memorial Award.

From: www.shreveporttimes.com

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