On Saturday, August 21, 2004 -- one day after what would have been Jim Reeves' 81st birthday -- a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame to dedicate a new display of Reeves memorabilia. This expanded exhibit area exclusively presents items on loan from the world famous Reeves collector James Newberry of California. Mr. Newberry's collection, that at one time was appraised at over $1 million, has been greatly expanded in recent years as the Reeves estate was auctioned off and its most important items purchased by James.

Jim grew up near Carthage, having been born near Galloway in Panola County in 1923, to a large family. His father died shortly after he was born, and his mother raised a large brood on her own, hiring out to pick other people's cotton. Jim attended school there, got a scholarship because of his athletic prowess, and later played for a farm team associated with the St. Louis Cardinals. When a leg injury forced him to leave the sport, he turned to radio announcing, getting his first job at KGRI in nearby Henderson, Texas.

The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, which includes an array of exhibits on various country music artists native to the state, is housed in a handsome new building and features state of the art, professionally created displays. For years the museum has tried unsuccessfully to gather enough Reeves items to do justice to the singer, who achieved international acclaim that continues to this day. Their efforts were frustrated first by Mary's illness, and then by how Jim's estate was handled by the new owner, who auctioned off so many rare Reeves artifacts.

Mr. Newberry, dubbed "the Howard Hughes of the Reeves set," for his almost furtive way of collecting and disdain for the public eye, made a very rare public appearance, along with his wife Priscilla, at a series of Carthage functions, including the public ribbon cutting ceremony and some private gatherings with the local movers and shakers.

Contacted at home Sunday evening, Mr. Newberry advised that he spoke to a number of local business and civic leaders, which included a private showing on Friday, Jim's birthday, at which 300 invited guests included the mayor, city manager, city council members, board members of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, the Panola Watchman newspaper, KGAS radio, representatives from all the local banks, Chamber of Commerce and a wide variety of business leaders. He outlined what his vision is for a 3,000 to 4,000 square foot permanent home to be called The Jim Reeves Library and Media Center. He envisions not only his extensive collection, but an opportunity for fans around the world to donate Reeves items, have them put on display, and have the donors acknowledged in a fan gallery.

He challenged the community to form a committee, and explore the opportunity that he outlined, for a facility which would feature Jim Reeves' participation in recorded music and encompass records pressed all over the world, so a visitor could walk from continent to continent. The portrayal would be a history lesson on the evolution of recorded music, from 78 rpm records and everything up to the modern era, which Jim's voice was on.

Newberry said that the committee would research all state and federal grant money. One local entrepreneur stated that he would be more than willing to donate $100,000 personally. James cautions that this will not happen overnight, and he cannot make any guarantees, but he said he was "very pleased with the reception I received." He also said this would not be a private enterprise, and he would have no ownership interest in it. "It would be owned by the city, not by James Newberry," he concluded.