"Mexican Joe" was the fourth record released commercially by Jim Reeves. There had been two releases on the Macy label in 1949, and then the first on Abbott Records, "Wagon Load Of Love." "Mexican Joe" was Jim's second outing on Abbott.The song was recorded in the studio of KWKH radio in Shreveport, Louisiana where Jim worked as a deejay and as an announcer on the Saturday night Louisiana Hayride Show. During the week he was a deejay at night from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. playing country records and reporting news, sports, etc. (the usual things a deejay does).
Floyd Cramer-who also was to gain fame as an RCA recording artist-played piano on "Mexican Joe" since he was a staff musician on the Louisiana Hayride.
The record soared to number 1 in all the national charts and was voted record of the year 1953 by Cash Box magazine. Presented in Hollywood, this was Jim's first award in country music.
"Mexican Joe" is a very important song. It was the first national hit by Jim Reeves.
Taken from the notes accompanying "Jim Reeves - A Legendary Performer" (CPL1-1891).
© 1976 RCA Records -- Submitted by C.B. Dixon
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