Mrs. Jim Reeves

 A couple of years ago, my buddy Robert got me this pocket date book off of eBay as a Christmas present, because of the Hatch Show Print logo. The only writing in it (other than what appear to be some notes made while doing a crossword puzzle) was the two-page spread seen below.

 Examining this, I realized that it seemed to have some connection to country legend Jim Reeves; my initial assumption was that it had belonged to Jim's manager or some other close

associate, who was making notes toward figuring out what to give Jim and Mrs. Reeves for Christmas a half-century ago. A subsequent perusal of one of my vast collection of postcards would lead me to a different conclusion.

Mary Reeves (1929-1999)

After Reeves' death in 1964, his wife Mary  dedicated most of the rest of her life to preserving Jim's legacy , both by releasing a great many overdubbed posthumous recordings, Norman Petty-style (some perfectly good, others notably less so--- also like Petty's Buddy Holly products), and by operating a Jim Reeves Museum in Nashville for over 20 years. At some point during that period of time, the souvenir shop sold postcards of the widow Reeves, one autographed specimen of which was in my possession.

Comparing her signature to the notebook, I concluded that the book had been hers, and that the "Mrs. Reeves" in the book was in fact her mother-in-law!

Judge for yourself... it's not an absolutely perfect match, but the 20-plus year gap between the two documents, added to the different nature of a signature and scribbled notes would explain that adequately in my view.

So that's the story of my "Holy Relic", as I currently understand it. Regrettably,if this actually was Mary's, it was likely released into the world when her second husband sold off all of her property and all rights to Jim's recordings and name when she went into a rest home. Her obituary has the sad details.

Here's Mary in happier times:

And here's the man himself:

(written by his old buddy Roger Miller)

James Travis Reeves
(August 20th 1923- July 31st 1964)

Postscript: For any Hatch Show Print fans here in the Athens, GA area, American Letter press: The Art of Hatch Show Print is in town at the Georgia Museum of Art until November 26th.

The Dixie Fun Barn Gang

Originating at WPDQ in Jacksonville, Fla., These folks performed on WAGA in Atlanta from September 1946 to December 1948. From there, they traveled to WQAM in Miami, then back to Atlanta on WGST from October 1949 to JAnuary 1950. Tommy Trent would subsequently join the Louisiana Hayride. Apologies to Tex Anderson and/or his descendants for the ink blot Partly obscuring his face... that's how I found it.

(above information courtesy of Pickin' On Peachtree: A History

 of Country Music In Atlanta, Georgia, by Wayne W. Daniel)

Florida Vacation

Visitors never fail to marvel at the replica of London's famous Big Ben Clock at the entrance to Tussaud's London Wax Museum, St. Petersburg Beach, Florida.

 Kennedy Memorial - John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963)

In memory of the 35th President of the United States we present this scene with pride and sorrow.  Shown at Josephine Tussaud's famous London Wax Museum.

The Roosevelts - Teddy and F.D.R....this famous President who led the charge of the Rough Riders was our 26th President.  Teddy is joined by his cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who became the 32nd President, and was elected for four terms as President of the U.S.  They are among other famous Presidents seen at Tussaud's London Wax Museum.

President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee plot strategy against invading Yank forces.  This
scene along with many others can be observed at The London Wax Museum.

FRANKENSTEIN AND WOLF MAN

Share the same terrifying dungeon in the eerie CHAMBER OF HORRORS.  A visit that will excite you (if your nerves are strong) at Josephine Tussaud's famous London Wax Museum,  5505 Gulf Blvd., St. Petersburg Beach, Florida.