Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2010, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Jimmy Capps, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 15 April 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jimmy Capps who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’; also a special word of thanks to Michele Voan Capps, without whose help this quote would not have been possible.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Michele Voan Capps, without whose help this ‘Peer’s Quote’ from Jimmy Capps would not have been possible.
Jimmy Capps
This quote was submitted on Thursday 15 April 2010.
‘In my opinion, Gene Watson is in the same class as Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra (Sunday 12 December 1915 – Thursday 14 May 1998), Bing Crosby (3 May 1903 – Friday 14 October 1977) and Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013)!
As time moves on, he just gets better, as they did and have.
What a proud musician I am to have played on many Gene Watson albums and to still work with him on The Opry!
I am a fan!’
Thank you, Jimmy Capps, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jimmy Capps…
Jimmy Capps, who was a first-call session guitarist for over five decades, having earned his position on the list of Nashville’s greatest guitar pickers, was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Thursday 25 May 1939 to Alice and Tommy Capps, and was raised in Benson, North Carolina.
Jimmy Capps listened to The Grand Ole Opry from the age of eight years old and he was inspired by champion fiddle-playing Uncle Lynn Cook, who encouraged him to play guitar. Hayden Ivy, a picker friend of Jimmy’s, gave up his own guitar and presented it as a gift to Jimmy. The twelve year old took his first guitar and started working local dances.
In 1956, Jimmy Capps sang and played on radio station WCKB-Dunn and worked in both radio and television in Florence, South Carolina with a performer named Slim Mims. Jimmy Capps moved on to Wilson to work with another Slim (Short) and he played local clubs in Benson in a band called The Tar Heels.
One audition in 1958 changed Jimmy Capps’ life forever when he became the guitar player for The Louvin Brothers – Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) & Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) – one of country music’s all-time greatest duo-teams.
When Jimmy Capps auditioned for his job with The Louvin Brothers – Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) & Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) – their then current guitar player, Paul Yandell (Friday 6 September 1935 – Monday 21 November 2011), had been drafted into the service.
Paul Yandell (Friday 6 September 1935 – Monday 21 November 2011) had heard Jimmy Capps working with a duo in North Carolina who sang all The Louvin Brother’s songs, so Jimmy Capps knew all the intros and turnarounds.
Paul Yandell (Friday 6 September 1935 – Monday 21 November 2011) had heard Jimmy Capps play and recommended him to The Louvin Brothers – Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) & Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965).
Jimmy Capps recalls when The Louvin Brothers – Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011) & Ira Louvin (Monday 21 April 1924 – Sunday 20 June 1965) – were scheduled for a guest appearance on The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, he came down with double pneumonia. He remembers, ‘No way was I going to miss The Opry if I died on the stage…I’m gonna work The Opry just one time! And I did!’
Jimmy Capps remembered playing ‘The Knoxville Girl’, but he was so scared Pete Wade had to help him plug his guitar into the amplifier. Jimmy Capps said that that was one of his most cherished moments.
Jimmy Capps’ ‘just one time’ turned into years of history on the hallowed stage; he was a member of the ‘Grand Ole Opry Staff Band’ since 1967 (although it wasn’t officially graced with that title at that point in time).
Jimmy Capps’ guitar heroes included Grady Martin (Thursday 17 January 1929 – Monday 3 December 2001), Chet Atkins (Friday 20 June 1924 – Saturday 30 June 2001), Pete Wade, Billy Sanford, Ray Edenton (Wednesday 3 November 1926 – Wednesday 21 September 2022), Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017) and Spider Wilson.
On Monday 11 October 1982, some of Jimmy Capps’ heroes were honoured when the Country Music Association (CMA) nominated the ‘Grand Ole Opry Staff Band’ for ‘Instrumental Group of The Year’.
Jimmy Capps learned the art of song production from a number of master producers, including the following:
• Owen Bradley (Thursday 21 October 1915 – Wednesday 7 January 1998)
• Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012)
• Billy Sherrill (Thursday 5 November 1936 – Tuesday 4 August 2015)
Jimmy Capps produced albums for a number of distinguished artists, including The Wilburn Brothers – Doyle Wilburn (Monday 7 July 1930 – Saturday 16 October 1982) & Teddy Wilburn (Monday 30 November 1931 – Monday 24 November 2003), Jim & Jesse, Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020), Roy Drusky (Sunday 22 June 1930 – Thursday 23 September 2004), David Houston (Monday 9 December 1935 – Tuesday 30 November 1993), and Stu Phillips.
Jimmy Capps also produced his own album; ‘Jimmy Capps: His Guitar & Old Friends Making New Memories’ included a number of artists, including Billy Walker (Monday 14 January 1929 – Sunday 21 May 2006), Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011), The Osborne Brothers – Sonny Osborne (Friday 29 October 1937 – Sunday 24 October 2021) and Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) – Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007), Jeannie Seely, Steve Wariner (who played and sang on the project), and The Carol Lee Singers.
Jimmy Capps’ ‘Jimmy Capps: His Guitar & Old Friends Making New Memories’ included the following tracks:
1 ‘Sentimental Journey’ / this track featured Carol Lee Singers
2 ‘Near You’ / this track featured LaDonna Capps
3 ‘Mona Lisa’ / this track featured Charlie Albertson
4 ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me / this track featured Jeannie Seely
5 ‘So Sad’ / this track featured The Osborne Brothers – Sonny Osborne (Friday 29 October 1937 – Sunday 24 October 2021) and Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023)
6 ‘Always’ / this track featured Darrell McCall
7 ‘Blue Moon’ / this track featured Billy Walker (Monday 14 January 1929 – Sunday 21 May 2006)
8 ‘Kinfolks In Carolina’ / this track featured George Hamilton IV (Monday 19 July 1937 – Wednesday 17 September 2014)
9 ‘The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise’ / this track featured Michele Voan Capps
10 ‘It’s Such A Pretty World Today’ / this track featured Johnny Carver
11 ‘Justin’ / this track was an instrumental
12 ‘I Walk The Line’ / this track featured Steve Wariner
13 ‘The Shadow of Your Smile’ / this track featured Sounds, Inc.
14 ‘I Thought I Heard You Calling My Name’ / this track featured Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007)
15 ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’ / this track featured Charlie Walker (Tuesday 2 November 1926 – Friday 12 September 2008)
16 ‘Canadian Sunset’ / this track featured Stu Phillips
17 ‘Cold, Cold War’ / this track featured Ray Pillow
18 ‘Half A Mind’ / this track featured Charlie Louvin (Thursday 7 July 1927 – Wednesday 26 January 2011)
19 ‘Free Wheelin’ / this track was an instrumental
20 ‘Summertime Waltz’ / this track was an instrumental
Musicians involved in the recording of Jimmy Capps’ ‘Jimmy Capps: His Guitar & Old Friends Making New Memories’ included the following:
Jimmy Capps (all guitars)
Harald ‘Hal’ Rugg (Tuesday 21 July 1936 – Tuesday 9 August 2005) (track 12: PedalBro / track 19: steel guitar)
Stu Basore (track 7: steel guitar)
Denis Solee (track 7: saxophone)
Clyde Mattocks (track 15: steel guitar / track 19: Dobro)
Steve Wariner (track 12: solo E. guitar)
Bill Walker (track 1: piano solo)
Bobby Ogden (tracks 2 & 3: piano and keyboard)
Tim Atwood (piano and keyboard: on all tracks, except 1, 2, 3, 9, 11 and 16)
Hargus ‘Pig’ Robbins (Tuesday 18 January 1938 – Sunday 30 January 2022) (piano and keyboard on tracks 1, 9, 11 and 16)
Buddy Harman (Sunday 23 December 1928 – Thursday 21 August 2008) (drums on all tracks, except 7, 12 and 19)
Billy Linneman (upright bass on all tracks)
Harry Wilkinson (drums on tracks 7, 12 and 19)
Harmony vocalists involved in the recording of Jimmy Capps’ ‘Jimmy Capps: His Guitar & Old Friends Making New Memories’ included the following:
Darrell McCall (track 17)
Michele Voan Capps (tracks 9 and 11)
LaDonna Capps (tracks 4, 9, 10 and 11)
Jeanine Walker, Louis Nunley (Thursday 15 October 1931 – Friday 26 October 2012), Jim Ferguson and Wendy Johnson (tracks 7 and 13)
Carol Lee Cooper, Norah Lee Allen (Saturday 14 February 1948 – Easter Sunday 31 March 2024), Dennis McCall and Rod Fletcher (tracks 1 and 14)
Terry Eldridge (track 5)
Jimmy Capps’ ‘Jimmy Capps: His Guitar & Old Friends Making New Memories’ was recorded at Sound Shop Studio, and was dedicated to the memory of Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) and Billy Walker (Monday 14 January 1929 – Sunday 21 May 2006).
Throughout his career, Jimmy Capps has received numerous awards from the ‘National Academy of Recording Arts & Science’; these were awards for ‘playing on the most No.1 country music hit recordings’…thus making him a member of the ‘NARAS Superpickers Band’ for 1978 and 1979.
In 1979, Jimmy Capps was also voted ‘Most Valuable Acoustic player’.
Jimmy Capps went home to Benson, North Carolina for a special performance, when he was surprised with an honour few people receive.
State Senator Charlie Albertson read Governor James Hunt’s Proclamation declaring Monday 25 May 1998 as ‘Jimmy Capps Appreciation Day’.
As one of country music’s finest guitar players, Jimmy Capps was a ‘master of smoothness’ and was known in the studio for his ability to move flawlessly from electric to acoustic with a polished and refined touch that he brings to every recording or performance he is a part of.
Along with his onstage work, Jimmy Capps was an in-demand session musician, and was known for his smooth playing style of both acoustic guitar and electric guitar, on a number of classic recordings, including the following:
• Tammy Wynette’s ‘Stand By Your Man’
• Barbara Mandrell‘s ‘I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool’
• Alan Jackson’s ‘Here In The Real World’
• The Oak Ridge Boys‘ ‘Elvira’
• Ronnie Milsap‘s ‘Smoky Mountain Rain’
• Reba McEntire’s ‘How Blue’
• Kenny Rogers’ ‘The Gambler’
• George Jones‘ ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’
• George Strait’s ‘Amarillo By Morning’
Jimmy Capps has played on many timeless country music classics.
Jimmy Capps played on ‘Easy Loving’ (Capitol Records, 1971) from Freddie Hart (Tuesday 21 December 1926 – Saturday 27 October 2018); the album included ‘Easy Loving’, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in September / October 1971.
Jimmy Capps played on ‘Golden Ring’ (Epic Records, 1976) from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) & Tammy Wynette; the album included ‘Golden Ring’, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1976; Tammy Wynette (Tuesday 5 May 1942 – Monday 6 April 1998).
Jimmy Capps played on ‘The Gambler’ (United Artist Records, 1978) from Kenny Rogers (Sunday 21 August 1938 – Friday 20 March 2020); the album included ‘The Gambler’ (written by Don Schlitz), which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in December 1978 / January 1979.
Jimmy Capps played on Barbara Mandrell‘s ‘Moods’ (ABC Records, 1978); the album included ‘Sleeping Single In A Double Bed’, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for three weeks in November 1978.
Jimmy Capps played on ‘There’s A Little Bit of Hank In Me’ (RCA Records, 1980) from Charley Pride (Friday 18 March 1934 – Saturday 12 December 2020); the album included ‘Honky Tonk Blues’, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1980.
Jimmy Capps played on ‘I Am What I Am’ (Epic Records, 1980) from George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013); the album included ‘He Stopped Loving Her Today’, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1980.
Jimmy Capps played on The Oak Ridge Boys‘ ‘Fancy’ (MCA Records, 1981); the album included ‘Elvira’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022), which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in May / June 1981.
Jimmy Capps played on ‘Mr. T’ (MCA Records, 1981) from Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993); the album included ‘Red Neckin’ Love Makin’ Night’, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1982.
Jimmy Capps played on ‘Merry Twismas’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1983) from Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993).
In 1983, Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) saw the release of ‘Tainted Love’ (AVI Records, 1983), which was produced by Edward C. Cobb (Friday 25 February 1938 – Sunday 19 September 1999), Ray Harris (Wednesday 7 September 1927 – Thursday 13 November 2003) and Jimmy Capps, and included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Tainted Love’, which was written by Edward C. Cobb (Friday 25 February 1938 – Sunday 19 September 1999) / this track was released as a single in 1983, but it did not chart
‘Silver Tongue & Gold Plated Lies’ (written by John D. Hutchison) / this track, which featured guest vocals from Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) and Sonny Osborne (Friday 29 October 1937 – Sunday 24 October 2021), was released as a single in 1984, but it did not chart
Jan Howard‘s ‘Tainted Love’ (AVI Records, 1983) also included the following tracks:
‘Give My Old Memory A Call’, which was written by Ed Bruce (Friday 29 December 1939 – Friday 8 January 2021), Patsy Ann Bruce (Friday 8 March 1940 – Sunday 16 May 2021) and Ron Peterson
‘Gabriel Never Played A Steel Guitar’ (written by H. Montgomery and J.R. Williams)
‘My Friend’, which was written by Jimmy Capps and Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020)
‘As Often As Needed For Pain’ (written by Lola Jean Dillon)
‘While You’re Breaking My Heart’ (written by Stewart Harris)
‘As Far As I’m Concerned’ (written by Ronny Hughes)
‘I Wish I Could Love That Much Again’, which was written by Glen Douglas Tubb (Saturday 29 June 1935 – Saturday 22 May 2021) and Vic McAlpin (Monday 4 February 1918 – Friday 18 January 1980)
Personnel involved in the recording of Jan Howard‘s ‘Tainted Love’ (AVI Records, 1983) included the following:
Norah Lee Allen (Saturday 14 February 1948 – Easter Sunday 31 March 2024), Carol Lee Davis, Herman Harper, Carol Lee Singers and Dennis McCall (background vocals)
Joe Edwards (fiddle)
Jimmy Capps and Jimmie Wilson (electric guitar)
Ralph Davis (rhythm guitar)
Jan Howard (Friday 13 March 1929 – Saturday 28 March 2020) (lead vocals, background vocals)
Billy Linneman (acoustic guitar, electric guitar)
Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014) (steel guitar)
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 December 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) and Sonny Osborne (Friday 29 October 1937 – Sunday 24 October 2021) (background vocals on track 9)
Leon Rhodes (Thursday 10 March 1932 – Saturday 9 December 2017) (electric bass)
Jerry Whitehurst (piano)
Jimmy Capps played on ‘By Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1984) from Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993); the album included ‘I Don’t Know A Thing About Love (The Moon Song)’, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in October 1984.
Jimmy Capps played on Reba McEntire’s ‘My Kind of Country’ (MCA Records, 1984); the album included ‘How Blue’, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in January 1985.
On Monday 10 November 2014, England’s Hux Records released Reba McEntire’s ‘My Kind of Country’ (MCA Records, 1984), along with Reba McEntire’s ‘Just A Little Love’ (MCA Records, 1983), as a special ‘2-for-1‘ CD set (HUX142).
Jimmy Capps played on ‘Don’t Call Him A Cowboy’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1985) from Conway Twitty (Friday 1 September 1933 – Saturday 5 June 1993); the album included ‘Don’t Call Him A Cowboy’, which was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in June 1985.
Jimmy Capps played acoustic guitar, on all tracks, on Gene Watson‘s ‘Back in the Fire‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1988); the album included ‘Don’t Waste It On The Blues’ (No.5, 1988), ‘Back In The Fire’ (No.20, 1989), ‘The Jukebox Played Along’ (No.24, 1989) and ‘The Great Divide’ (No.41, 1989).
Jimmy Capps played on Alan Jackson’s ‘Here In The Real World’ (Arista Records, 1990); the album included five Billboard country music singles, ‘Blue Blooded Woman’ (No.45, 1989), ‘Here In The Real World’ (No.3, 1990), ‘Wanted’ (No.3, 1990), ‘Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow’ (No.2, 1990) and (Alan Jackson’s first Billboard No.1) ‘I’d Love You All Over Again’ (No.1 for one week in March 1991).
Jimmy Capps played acoustic guitar on ‘This Could Go On Forever’ (written by Jerry Vandiver and Sandy Ramos), and ‘The Workin’ End of A Hoe’ (written by Jim Rushing), both of which were included on Gene Watson‘s ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
Jimmy Capps played acoustic guitar, on all tracks, on Gene Watson‘s ‘Uncharted Mind‘ (Step One Records, 1993).
Jimmy Capps played rhythm guitar, on all tracks, on Gene Watson‘s ‘Gene Watson…Sings‘ (Intersound Records, 2003).
Jimmy Capps played acoustic guitar, on all tracks, on Gene Watson‘s ‘Gene Watson…Then & Now‘ (Koch Records Nashville, 2005).
Jimmy Capps also added his distinctive guitar work to recordings by Terri Gibbs, Mac Davis (Wednesday 21 January 1942 – Tuesday 29 September 2020), John Conlee, Janie Fricke, Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley, Billie Jo Spears (Friday 14 January 1938 – Wednesday 14 December 2011), John Denver (Friday 31 December 1943 – Sunday 12 October 1997), and Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003), along with all of Ronnie Milsap‘s recordings through to 1988.
Beginning in 2009, Jimmy Capps regularly appeared as ‘Sheriff’ Jimmy Capps on ‘Larry’s Country Diner’ on RFD-TV. In addition to that show, Jimmy Capps also played on many other television shows throughout his career, including ‘The Statler Brothers Show’ and ‘The Wilburn Brothers Show’, along with Country Music Association (CMA) shows, Jimmy Capps was also a regular performer on ‘Country’s Family Reunion’ on RFD-TV.
In 2012, for his decorated career, Jimmy Capps was inducted into The Country Music Hall of Fame’s ‘Nashville Cats’.
On Monday 4 November 2013, it was announced that twelve new inductees, including Jimmy Capps, would be added to The Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville.
On Tuesday 28 January 2014, the Induction Ceremony was held at the 10,000 seat arena of Nashville’s Historic Municipal Auditorium. After a three year absence, this was the first award show held at the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium, the new home of The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum.
In 2014, Jimmy Capps was inducted into The Musicians Hall of Fame.
It was also in 2014 when Jimmy Capps was inducted into The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.
In 2015, The Tennessee Senate passed a Joint Resolution recognising Jimmy Capps’ musical contributions, and it was presented to him on the Senate floor.
In 2018, to mark his sixtieth year at The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, the band room was named ‘The Jimmy Capps Music Room’.
Jimmy Capps could be seen every week on RFD-TV’s ‘Larry’s Country Diner’, where he played the guitar-picking Sheriff Capps. Jimmy Capps was a member of The Grand Ole Opry Staff Band since 1967 and continued to perform regularly on The Opry.
On Tuesday 2 June 2020, it was announced that Jimmy Capps had passed away the previous night – Monday 1 June 2020 – at the age of 81.
Public visitation for Jimmy Capps took place on Monday 8 June 2020, between 3:00pm and 8:00pm, at First Apostolic Church, 265 Broadmore Drive in Nashville (TN 37207).
Mark Capps (Saturday 14 December 1968 – Thursday 5 January 2023), Jeff Capps, Ben Isaacs, Jimmy Fortune, Moe Bandy, Chris Malpass, Taylor Malpass and Mark Wills served as active pallbearers.
Joe Edwards, John Conlee, Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Charlie Albertson, Billy Linneman, Johnny & Lisa Carver, Scot England, Larry & Luann Black, Dean & Jean Voan, Paul Voan, Gus Arrendale, Phil & Renae Johnson, Mona & Dave Brown, Keith & Emy Jo Bilbrey, and the Opry Staff Band – past and present – served as honorary pallbearers.
A Celebration of Life Service for Jimmy Capps was held at 1:00pm on Tuesday 9 June 2020 at The Grand Ole Opry House, 2804 Opryland Drive in Nashville.
Due to concerns for everyone’s health and safety, it was asked that attendance at the private service for Jimmy Capps at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville be limited.
While friends and family members attending the service were sent instructions concerning arrival at The Grand Ole Opry House and social distancing details, Jimmy Capps’ countless other friends, colleagues, and fans, listened to the service at WSM 650AM.
Entombment followed the service in the Historic Spring Hill Cemetery, and was open to the public. The family accepted floral arrangements for Jimmy Capps.
Jimmy Capps
Thursday 25 May 1939 – Monday 1 June 2020
• Visit Jimmy Capps’ official site at jimmycapps.com