Jim Reeves was born James Travis Reeves, on August 20, 1924. His mother supported the family by working in fields as his father died when Jim was young.

He started playing a guitar at the age of five, and learnt some basic chords with the aid of a construction worker. As he grew up, he went through many blue-collar jobs while trying to decide on a profession.

He met and married Mary White in 1947, who was a school teacher. Mary encouraged him to pursue his interest in music.

One of his most famous hits was “He’ll Have To Go”, which he recorded in 1960.

He died on July 31, 1964 from a plane crash on a flight back to Nashville from Arkansas.

He was also known as “Gentleman Jim” for his personality on and off-stage.