Jim Reeves, born James Travis Reeves on August 20, 1923, in Galloway, Texas, was a country and pop singer known as "Gentleman Jim" for his smooth baritone and polished style. One of nine children, he grew up on a farm during the Great Depression and excelled in baseball, pitching in the minor leagues until a leg injury ended his sports career. He worked as a radio announcer and DJ while briefly attending the University of Texas.

His music career began in the early 1950s. After signing with Abbott Records, his first hit, "Mexican Joe," topped the country charts in 1953. Joining RCA Victor in 1955 under producer Chet Atkins, Reeves helped pioneer the "Nashville Sound," blending country with lush pop orchestrations. Major hits included "Four Walls" (1957), "He'll Have to Go" (1959), and "Welcome to My World" (1962). He achieved crossover success on pop charts and built a global following, especially in South Africa, Europe, and India.

Reeves married Mary Elizabeth White in 1950; they had no children. An avid pilot, he owned a Beechcraft Debonair plane. On July 31, 1964, at age 40, he died when the plane crashed in a thunderstorm near Nashville. His body and that of his co-pilot were found two days later.

His career continued posthumously through unreleased recordings; RCA issued over 80 albums after his death. Hits like "Distant Drums" (1966) topped international charts. Reeves sold over 100 million records worldwide, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967, and remains a lasting influence in country music.