The style of Jim Reeves and his mellow voice is still very popular, and remains so even with the younger generation today. Benny likes the Jim Reeves style, because Jim sang a song with feeling and it came with sincerity and warmth and he had the ability to touch the hearts of those who listened.

Jim sadly died in 1964 when their single-engine plane ran into difficulties during a storm and crashed into dense woods outside Nashville. He had the world at his feet and became also very popular by recording several songs in the Afrikaans language.

Now we proudly present Benny Koen’s new album “My Blinde Hart” with 13 songs in Afrikaans. Benny has not the intention to imitate the unique voice of Jim Reeves, but his superb voice and deep feeling for a song enables him to sing the Jim Reeves songs with simplicity, depth and honesty. Benny presents the new album as a tribute to the late Jim Reeves and to remember Jim’s 80th birthday on August 20th 2003.

I know that you folks will enjoy this album as much as I do.

Thanks, Benny, for letting me write a few words about your new album and the wonderful person Jim Reeves.

                                                                          Gerard van der Linden