Jim Reeves, born 103 years ago on 20 August 1923 in Galloway, Texas, became one of country music's most influential singers before his career was cut short by a plane crash in 1964. Initially a promising baseball player, an injury ended that path, leading him to pursue music full-time; alongside producer Chet Atkins, he helped create the smoother, pop-influenced "Nashville Sound" that redefined country music in the 1950s and 1960s.

Reeves scored his first number one, "Mexican Joe," in 1953, before joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1955. His 1957 hit "Four Walls" marked his shift to a quieter, crooning style, and further chart-toppers followed, including "He'll Have to Go," which topped the country charts for 14 weeks. He also built international fame, particularly in South Africa and Sri Lanka. Following his death in a 1964 plane crash near Nashville, RCA continued releasing his recordings, which produced six further number one hits and a top-10 duet with Patsy Cline as late as 1982, nearly two decades after his passing.