Jim Reeves Plane Crash Story

Today we are talking about and finding some locations associated with Jim Reeves. James Travis Reeves was an American country and popular singer-songwriter. Known as "Gentleman Jim", his songs continued to chart for years after his death in a plane crash. On July 31, 1964, Jim, his business partner, and manager Dean Manuel left Batesville, Arkansas for Nashville in a Beechcraft Debonair aircraft that crashed south of Nashville.

[@midtod]

An interesting video you've put together and it's apparent you have gleaned a lot of information from my book, the 672-page "Jim Reeves: His Untold Story." I only wish that Bill Larson, who was Jim Reeves' charter pilot and a close friend of Jim's and mine (who passed away in December 2022) could have seen this video. He would have found it quite impressive. Bill flew charters out of Berry Field and took the call from Jim that week, when Reeves phoned to make a reservation to rent the Beechcraft Debonair for Wednesday. But there was a heavy rainstorm that day so Jim postponed his trip until the next day, Thursday, July 30, 1964. In the meantime. Bill had taken the Beech to fly down to Chattanooga, TN to see his girlfriend Beulah (who also sadly died a few months ago). Mr. Larson brought the plane back to Nashville early Thursday and was at the airport refueling it when Jim and Dean Manuel arrived. Reeves tried to convince Bill to accompany them to Batesville, AR but to Bill's everlasting regret, he had another commitment and couldn't make the trip. The accident would never have happened if Bill had flown. Mr. Larson went on to become a pilot for Eastern Airlines for 30 years, flying everything from Constellations to 747s. Bill remembered vividly his last interaction with the two men, and how Jim told him "I recorded your song." It was a tune that Bill had heard Jim sing with just his guitar and recommended he record. The next day, Bill Larson was at the airport waiting for Reeves and Manuel to return when the tower called. John Hettish, the controller who had talked to Jim via radio and given him weather advisories and other pertinent information, informed Bill that he had lost the plane on radar. Bill dashed out the door and got into a private plane without ever knowing whose aircraft that was! Hettish vectored Bill over the last location where the Reeves aircraft had appeared on radar -- a small wooded area just south of some high voltage power towers, east of Franklin Road. Due to the heavy tree canopy it was impossible for Bill to spot the wreckage from the air. Ray Price owned a twin engine plane and his wife, Linda, was not only a pilot but also knew everybody in the Nashville music community. So when Bill landed after his futile search for the downed plane, he phoned Linda and within a couple of hours she had recruited a huge number of Music City people to commence the search. Although Civil Defense was involved, at that point the FAA was not. There is far more to this story than I have related here -- including matters involving sensitive government information. There is reason to believe the search efforts were deliberately REDIRECTED to the area near Radnor lake so authorities had time to locate an important briefcase Reeves was carrying with him. You may be interested to know that the accident report on Jim's crash vanished from all federal files and I spent years tracking down the information in it. I was also informed by the FBI that files pertinent to Jim were sealed with JFK assassination records, and other files were destroyed after my FOIA request on orders of a judge in Washington! I delve into this matter in great detail. (Jim and his band, the Blue Boys, had played Dewey Groom's nightclub in Dallas the night before the JFK assassination and Dewey's business partner had been Jack Ruby). I explain the possible connection to Reeves in this regard. Pilot Bill Larson gave me hands on help with the two chapters I devoted to the Reeves plane crash and the information I provide readers includes a minute-by-minute account of the Reeves flight. Thanks for mentioning my book. -- Larry Jordan, author, "Jim Reeves: His Untold Story"

[@DudeTours]

Larry, Indeed your book was an invaluable source of information about Jim and his story. I hope I did his story justice. Thanks for adding the additional background. I guess there is much more to Jim's story.

[@larry3034]

That's very interesting and quite similar to the way agencies work, to divert attention to Radnor Lake area. Now you've got my curiosity up???

[@paulwoolley4957]

First heard and became a lifelong fan of “Gentleman Jim” in 1962 when I was 12 years old and heard him on the radio singing Four walls that someone had requested. He’s still my all time favourite singer today at the age of 73. I sing his songs all the time, in the home, car and at Karaoke. May the good lord bless and keep you Jim forevermore🙏💙✝️ always remembered😢

[@dianemauer6185]

Jim Reeves, what a voice and talent. His voice would melt butter. Why do so many performers insist on trying to learn to fly? The result often is tragic. Jim Croce was learning to fly from the pilot when the accident occurred. The pilot was in control at the time . Leave flying to the pilots and music to the performers

[@Johnnywhamo]

What are you talking about, John Denver was one hell of a Pilo.....oh...ya...never mind.

[@Hard_Car_Life]

I loved so many of his hits when I was a kid. Don't hear them too often anymore but they are still some of the best songs around, especially "He'll Have To Go".

[@nashvilletennessee3194]

So glad you moved the Jim Reeves story to the top of the list and made this very informative video. Fascinating that both Jim and Patsy had landed there at dyersburg airport before attempting to proceed to Nashville. Also truly fascinating how so many country stars were out searching for the wreckage and that Eddie Arnold identified the deceased! Your videos are not only enjoyable but a wealth of historic information! I can't imagine all of the work that goes into putting these together. It is much appreciated... Thank you!

[@midtod]

Jim did not land at Dyersburg. The accident report confirms he communicated with them via radio for weather information only.

[@guymerritt4860]

I've been to the monument.....which is kind of in the middle of nowhere. He had a wonderful voice - my parents played his records all the time. Such a shame.

[@kimberleyheadland927]

Hello, and thank you for this video much appreciated……… Jim reeves one of my childhood memories is coming back from school at Christmas time and the Christmas LP of Jim reeves would be playing. I love that LP of Jim Reeves to this day…….. kim🇬🇧

[@user-bl7ep1hz7s]

Very informative, I can't get tired of watching it over and over; thank you; Vincent Risimati in South Africa

[@british.scorpion]

He had a voice of velvet, a one-off. God be with you till we meet again.

[@megadavis5377]

Trying to use an airplane for reliable, on-demand cross-country travel without possessing an instrument rating (and the recency of experience in procedures it demands of the pilot), is like sending a three-year old child out in heavy traffic to try and make it across to the other side of the highway without getting hit by a car. You can barely stand to watch...

[@Ahkeys82]

Well done. I used to work for his wife, Mary, back in the 80’s at his museum on Gallatin Rd. It’s now a Home Depot. She was a very sweet lady. She always said she thought that Jim became inverted in that storm. Thank you for putting this together.

[@DudeTours]

Thanks for watching and sharing that.

[@larry3034]

I met Mary at that museum and didn't know who she was. I enjoyed talking to her as a regular person but I wish I had known who she was. However, I did meet Wanda Jackson who worked at the museum. Believe it or not, I didn't know who Wanda was either and she was disappointed. She told me she bought Patsy Cline's former home and that she had found Patsy's secret cash stash hidden in the fireplace behind a lose brick. I enjoyed Jim's music very much. Now Mary and Jim are resting together in Texas.

[@michaelterry4394]

@@larry3034 I believe it was Wilma Burgess who worked at the museum. Been there 3 times .

[@larry3034]

@@michaelterry4394 Thank you Michael Terry, I think you are right. My memory isn't as good as it once was. Wilma Jackson's manager Larry Ferguson Mr. Nashville talks about her all the time. When I looked at Wilma Jackson's photo it wasn't familiar. Therefore, it bet it was Wilma Burgess. I hope you enjoyed the museum as much as I did.

[@waltmooredanwilson8754]

Thanks for sharing your video. I enjoyed watching. Take care and God Bless.

[@Steve-tc2pi]

You do alot of research on these videos. I really like them for that reason.

[@crm208]

I have always loved.still do. Anyways, your voice reminds me of him..Just.so beautiful.😊😇

[@charleschatambudza608]

His voice is so purity I won't go to bed before i play one of his

[@gettingold59]

outstanding again

[@JulianA601]

Jim had the nicest voice I have ever heard.

[@larry3034]

I heard the rescuers say the guy in the back is dead. Finally, the feeling began to come back so we could move and talk, we explained the dead man was our cargo. Apparently we had come down at the airport sliding sideways across the runways. A man from the tower told us you guys are the luckiest men alive and we agreed. He said, you don't understand when you were sliding across the runway and Alligeany airliner touched down missing you by a fraction of a second. God is great!

[@jamesstrsuss6319]

Extremely informative, thank you so much! I knew very little about Jim Reeves, until I watch this!😲😟😔😔❤️

[@megadavis5377]

You do a great job with these presentations. We enjoy them thoroughly.

[@drbooo]

My favorite was "Id fight the world " Ill never forget Dad playing this music in the 50's.

[@steinskotmyr2194]

Very interesting. In a shelf i have a model of Jim’s Debonair. It is the very one that Mary Reeves had made for the Jim Reeves museum.

[@robthetindog8218]

My dad was the big C & W fan in the family. But I do believe that the Jim Reeves records in the collection belonged to my mom. She was into the crooners. I do remember hearing him a lot as a kid.

[@ValerieGriner]

Great video! I'm a new subscriber who is currently "binge watching" your channel! Thank-you for all of these very well edited videos and for your unique, informative, interactive style using the flight simulator!

[@DudeTours]

Thanks for watching, we appreciate the support.

[@FredConaway-rv9fb]

Great video. I'm always interested in stories of Jim Reeves.

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

You may have mentioned that this was indeed the kind of plane in which Reeves crashed. This is a unique channel. It may or may not be to your taste but if it is you’re not gonna find it anywhere else. Usual thorough and expert job. Thanks.

[@StephenLuke]

RIP Jim Reeves (1923-1964) and Dean Manuel (1934-1964)

[@user-bl7ep1hz7s]

Very informative indeed; I love Jim Reeves to the death, thanks so much; Vincent Risimati in South Africa

[@rmc628]

Fyi, "I Can't Stop Loving You" was NOT Jim Reeves last studio recording. That was the last recording on the first session of July 2, 1964. There was a second session that day and the last studio recording was actually "Maureen".

[@KimtheElder]

Voice of silk 🕯️🕊️

[@pox122229]

Thanks keep making the vids

[@eddylauterback1312]

I know this strange but i have thought of what Chet Atkins reaction was on hearing this sad story. JFK JR. NEEDED a flight instructor that night flying over water and losing his orientation plus he hated going on the radio and asking for help.

[@fretfix1]

A lot of these folks died in a Beechcraft, it seems.

[@latetotheparty184]

Nice video and detailed summary of Jim Reeve's life. Usually DudeTours are an example of a professional pilot's poor judgement , not the artist who in most cases did not appreciate the risks involved.. In this case I feel less sorry for Jim Reeves who as a pilot understood the risks. But for his passenger, Dean Manual very sad.

[@michaelterry4394]

You said it all

[@roknrolbilly]

my dad LYKESLAND ALTMAN loved jim reeves.....🎼🎵🎶🎵

[@yoshitosatou8521]

素晴らしい番組です。日本語訳版は出来ないものでしょうか−−−　tokyo japan

[@kayekaye251]

Did you know you can adjust captions to another language on the gear icon on the upper right hand side? I don't know, perhaps voice too.

[@DudeTours]

I would like to look into captions for other languages, thanks for the suggestion. Good idea.

[@dougiequick1]

Hmm Reeves ,,,,George Reeves (the original Superman tragic death) Then Jim Reeves tragic death then Christopher Reeves (also played Superman) tragic accident leading eventually to his death ...strange amount of tragedy surrounding famous men with last name Reeves

[@davidkellymitchell4747]

Almost as popular as Elvis at the time of his death. The both recorded at the same studio with the same musicians, RCA B, Nashville.

[@judymotto1970]

❤️💯🍿

[@edmundcharles5278]

Far too many musicians and other famous people have perished on small planes, usually due to pilot error and flying beyond their flying capabilities. Like JFK Jr, Patsy Cline’s pilot, the Buffy Holly tragedy, etc!

[@raysmusic49]

Musicians shouldn’t fly on small planes..

[@saywhat2537]

So many have died in plane crashes.. 😔

[@123jerro]

We don’t pronounce it diberry. It’s pronounced De Berry. The De sounds out dee

[@barto4678]

Pre Hee Haw