Dave Bussey and Mary Reeves at the first fan club meeting at the Nashville Room, London in 1969
The
first published reaction by anyone in the UK's Jim Reeves scene to the
publication of the new book 'Jim Reeves - his untold story' came with a
piece on the David Allan Page of the 501st issue in November of
'Country Music People' magazine when David Bussey's thoughts &
feelings were sought.
A
month after the ballyhoo of the magazine's scoop of its 500th
edition, an exclusive 7 page extract 'from the eagerly anticipated
book' was printed. At the point of interview, no one in the UK
had read the book, and the only clues to its content came from the
website; so Bussey's comments were always likely to be diplomatic
& muted.
As
someone who had contributed 'The Jim Reeves Page' to the early issues
of 'Opry' magazine (CMP's predecessor) from June 1968, and spent 3
weeks as the guest of Mary Reeves in Nashville in August 1973,
ostensibly to research a book on Jim Reeves, he was well qualified to
comment on the new book.
Sadly
his book project died a death due to a conflict of interest with his
desire to support the music and memory of Gentleman Jim Reeves via the
official fan club. A further completed book by Peter Jones
& Tony Byworth was never to see the light of day, thanks to the
opposition of Mary Reeves who obsessively guarded an image that would
sell records. Bussey will no doubt have extra strong feelings when he
finally reads the book after 12 years of waiting.
