Died On This Date (December 31, 2002) Jim McReynolds / Bluegrass Great; Jim & Jesse
themusicsover Jim McReynolds
February 13, 1927 – December 31, 2002
Jim McReynolds was a guitarist and singer who, with his brother, Jesse McReynolds, made up a popular bluegrass duo, Jim & Jesse. Whether working just side-by-side, or within the confines of their group, the Virginia Boys, the McReynolds brothers were the longest running musical duo in history, with a career that lasted over 55 years. Over the years, the Virginia Boys included such musical greats as Vassar Clements, Carl Jackson, and Earl Scruggs. By the early ’50s, Jim & Jesse were recording for Capitol Records, and later, Columbia and Epic Records. They also hosted their own national weekly radio program, The Suwannee River Jamboree during the late ’50s and early ’60s. They continued to record and perform together up through Jim’s death. Jim McReynolds died of cancer on December 31, 2002.
What You Should Own
Joey Hopkins was the vocalist and programmer for avant-garde black metal band, Alien Syndrome 777. He also fronted Joey Hopkins Midget Factory and worked with Blackdrone, Inc. On December 28, 2008, 26 year-old Joey Hopkins was found unconscious in his car with the engine running. He was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be revived. He was pronounced dead on December 31. It is believed that he pulled over to the side of the road to rest but ultimately died of carbon monoxide poisoning.