Del Reeves dies at home at age 74

CENTERVILLE, Tenn.—Sparta native Franklin Delano "Del" Reeves died Jan. 1 at his home.

Reeves was born on July 14, 1932 in Sparta. He got his start in music on WPAQ in Mount Airy on the "Merry Go Round" show, which is still being aired today. He joined the U.S. Air Force after a brief stint at what is now Appalachian State University in Boone. Reeves was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Modesto, Calif.

He first started recording there on Capitol Records after making an appearance on Chester Smith's television show.

Reeves wrote several songs, such as "Sing a Little Song of Heartache," which was a No. 3 hit in 1963 for Rose Maddox. He wrote songs for music legends Carl Smith, Roy Drusky and others. His first success came in 1963 with "The Only Girl I Can't Forget," song he wrote with his wife, Ellen.

Reeves signed to Decca Records in 1961, where he recorded his first charted single, "Be Quiet Mind," which hit No. 9. He later recorded for Reprise and Columbia Records before moving to United Artists in 1965, where he stayed for the next 18 years.

Reeves moved to Nashville in the early 1960s and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in October 1966. He made his last Opry appearance in 2002.

Reeves is survived by his wife and daughters Kari, Anne and Bethany. Funeral arrangements were not complete as of presstime on Tuesday. Del's only remaining brother, Cleo, lives in Sparta. Cleo said Reeves suffered with emphysema and was having serious chest pain that eventually "got the best of him."

"He had a good worthwhile life and we were happy with his success," said Cleo.

Cleo and late brother Homer played with Del at several local appearances.

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