Jimmy Capps - Beloved Nashville Guitarist - Dead Age 81

Jimmy Capps 05/25/1939 - 06/02/2020

Nashville lost one of it’s best guitar players on June 3rd of this year.

Judging by my Facebook feed, Jimmy Capps was one of the most beloved members of Nashville’s music community. He was not just an amazing guitarist, but also a member of Nashville’s A-Team; their best studio players.

Jimmy in the studio
with Rich Price

Some of the hits that featured Jimmy Capps guitar work
include, Stand By Your Man, He Stopped Loving Her Today, The Gambler, Elvira, by the Oak Ridge Boys, Conway Twitty’s hit The Rose, The Hinson’s song The Lighthouse, Terri Gibbs Somebodies Knocking, Charley Prides recording of Honky Tonk Blues, George Straits song Amarillo By Morning and so many more. Capps recorded with Barbara Mandrel, Reba McEntire, John Denver, Billy Joe Spears, Johnny Paycheck, Moe Bandy, Janie Fricke, Ray Charles, Julie Andrews,

...and the list goes on.

According to he web page, Jimmy Capps played guitar on an average of 520 sessions a year. He was nicknamed by his peers, The Man In Back.

Jimmy Capps in front
 of his family home

Capps became interest in music at eight years of age after listening to the Grand Old Opry on his parents radio. He started playing guitar at age twelve. He began singing and playing on local radio, and became the guitarist for some local North Carolina singers.

The Louvin Brothers - Ira and Charlie

Jimmy Capps got his big break when The Louvin Brothers needed a guitar player. A very young guitarist, Paul Yandell, received his draft notice from the United States Army and had to leave the Louvins.


Capps auditioned at a North Carolina hotel room, and played all the intros and guitar turnarounds that he learned from the brother’s recordings. When asked why he didn’t use a thumbpick, like Yandell, he said that he played with a flat pick. He was asked to play Maleguena, and said he could not play that song. Charlie Louvin said, “Well we seldom play that in concert. We are going to hire you."

He played his first show at the Opry with The Louvins, and stated he was scared to death.

Charlie Louvin and Jimmy Capps

When The Louvin Brothers, Charlie and Ira, went their separate ways, Charlie hired Capps as a member of his band.

By 1967 he became a full fledged member of the Grand Old Opry.

Jimmy Capps 

In 1971 Jimmy went on to become a studio player when guitarist Ray Edenton took a day off, and Capps was called in to play guitar on the recording session of Freddie Hart’s "Easy Loving". The producer like his smooth style and hired him for many other recordings.

Jimmy Capps attributed to learning his craft as a studio musician from Owen Bradley.

Capps went on to earn several awards from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In 1979 he was awarded the most valuable acoustic guitar player of the year.

Grand Old Opry House Band

He went on to become a member of the Grand Old Opry’s house band playing there 50 weekends a year.

Jimmy Capps from Face Book

Jimmy Capps was a member of the band on CMT’s Nashville Now, and was admitted to The Musician’s Hall of Fame in Nashville.

Larry's Country Diner with Sheriff Jimmy

Jimmy also played a guitar playing sheriff on the popular RFD-TV show, Larry's Country Diner.

Jimmy and Michelle Capps

His son Mark went on to be a recording engineer. He is survived by his wife, Michelle Capps, and his two sons, Mark and Jeff.

Through the years Jimmy has played a variety of guitars. Including a Gretsch Country Gentleman that he had customized with a Paul Bigsby neck pickup, that can be seen in the above picture.

Jimmy Capps with his Les Paul

He also played a Gibson Les Paul when he was younger.

Gibson ES-175

As a boy he played the Gibson L-01 in the above photo, as well as a Gibson ES-175.

Jimmy Capps with Epiphone

He also played an Epiphone Emperor electric with three pickups.

Fender Telecaster with a Palm-pedal

He also played a Fender Telecaster with a Bigsby palm-pedal.

Jimmy Capps with Fret-King

In his later years Jimmy Capps endorsed the Fret-King V52, Telecaster copy.

Jimmy with Blueridge Guitar

Jimmy Capps is probably best known for his acoustic work, and in recent years Jimmy has been playing a Blueridge BR 143CE Historic Series 000 model, that he has customized with a cocobolo arm rest.

Jimmy with Fender USA Strat

Jimmy also played a red Fender American Stratocaster at Opry performances.

Jimmy Capps with a Gibson ES-355

As a young man he can be seen playing a Gibson ES-355 with his friend Curly Chalker.

Gene Watson and Jimmy Capps
 with a GW Guitar

He was presented with a special guitar by his friend Gene Watson. It is made by the Sumey Guitar company for Gene Watson and sold under the GW brand name.




Click on the links under the pictures for sources.
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