Welcome To My World - The Jim Reeves Story

Another chance to hear Terry Wogan mark the life and career of the man who brought 'country' to the masses - Gentleman Jim Reeves.

With hits like 'Welcome to My World', 'I Love You Because', and 'Distant Drums', Jim Reeves is remembered by millions of people all around the world. His unique style mixed the laidback approach of crooners like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, with country material - and in doing so he brought country music to a whole new audience.

In July 1964 Jim Reeves was found dead in the wreckage of a private plane 10 miles south of Nashville. He was thirty-nine. But Jim's death was far from being the end of the story. His music lived on, and he influenced the likes of, Don Williams, Randy Travis and Charley Pride, but he was much more than just a country and western star! By the end of his career he'd made over fifty albums and had a large number of pop hits under his belt.

Jim was also one of the first people to take country music outside America, gaining widespread popularity in Britain, mainland Europe and South Africa. Throughout the 1960s he was rarely out of the UK charts, remaining one of the few solo American acts to maintain chart success against the onslaught of the Merseybeat. In Holland, three of his hits were among radio listeners' favourite songs of 2003 - and in India his Christmas album still makes it to the best seller lists every December.

Amongst those we hear from are: Jims nephew John Rex Reeves, Country singer and writer Sid Griffin, Author of 'Jim Reeves - His Untold Story Larry Jordan, Singer and Jim Reeves tribute act Al Grant, cultural historian CP Lee and some of Jims dedicated fans.

Terry also gives us his personal take on why Jim was seen as 'probably the greatest hero in Irish popular music'.

Terry Wogan marks the life and career of Jim Reeves.