KGRI EXHIBIT

There's an interesting exhibit at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage, Texas pertaining to Jim's radio days at KGRI in nearby Henderson. My friend Stan Jeffus shot photos and recorded the audio from the museum exhibit. The radio station equipment, including console, turntables, microphones, and transmitter, along with the tape deck from Jim's home and miscellaneous other artifacts, were loaned to the Carthage museum by longtime Reeves collector James Newberry from California. Mr. and Mrs. Newberry were on hand for a ribbon-cutting ceremony when the museum opened its special display. Subsequently, the Newberry collection was acquired by Nashville country music preservationist Mike Curb. So far, the Reeves items remain on display at the Texas museum. This is an exhibit well worth seeing, and Carthage is located about 30 miles southwest of Shreveport, La., the home of the "Louisiana Hayride" where Jim got his first big break. In the video slide show below, you can hear Tom Perryman, a business partner of Jim's, describe the famous crooner's work at the station. You also get to hear Jim do announcements and even sing a station jingle!