Obituary for James Homer Kirkland
Services for James Kirkland, 87, of Athens, are scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home with Pastor Jonathan Lilley officiating. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Corinth Cemetery in Linden, Texas.
Mr. Kirkland went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 29, 2022 at his home in Athens, Texas.
James Homer Kirkland was born May 15, 1934 in Linden, Texas the son of Homer Ellis Kirkland and Johnnie (Partain) Flippo. James, at the age of 15, started his musical career playing in clubs where he was too young to get in on his own so for three years, his stepfather, Henry Flippo, would carry him to and from the venues, and stay until the show was over. During this time he and a few buddies from high school also had a band called The Bearcat Playboys. Recognized for his innovative bass playing, he’s mostly known as a singer/song writer, bass player and side man for Ricky Nelson, but he also recorded some legendary songs with Bob Luman (Red Hot, Red Cadillac and a Black Mustache), Bobby Lee Trammell (Shirley Lee, I Sure Do Love You Baby), Johnny Horton, Dale Hawkins and others. He made his first recordings (Stood Up, Waitin’ In School) with Ricky Nelson in 1957. Kirkland and his bandmate, guitarist James Burton (who became Elvis’ guitar player for some time) were one of the first endorsers of Rickenbacker. As The Ricky Nelson band they broke attendance records all three times they played the Steel Pier in Atlantic City (the record previously held by Frank Sinatra). Many Americans were able to see Kirkland slapping the bass with Ricky Nelson in the popular TV show Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and cult movie Carnival Rock from 1957. After his rock’n’roll career ended, he joined Country artist Jim Reeves and was actually the first one that introduced him with his future popular nickname “Gentleman Jim” and he later played with several music stars of the late 50s and early 60s such as Tony Douglas, David Houston and many others.
The East Texas musician was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Southern Rock Hall of Fame, Southern Legends Hall of Fame and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame where he was presented with the Pioneer Award for his innovative bass techniques. Some community members said he was one of the best bass players of all time, is credited with being “the first person to play electric bass on the Grand Ole Opry,” and a pioneer of the triple-slap style of upright bass playing. The slap style of bass provided a rhythm in bands that didn't have a drummer, while also contributing the bass line.
According to the Southern Legends Hall of Fame, Kirkland was considered by many to be the best stand-up bass player in rock and roll. On “Believe What You Say,” Kirkland “set down a four-slap beat on the stand-up bass that could only be played correctly by him. Many tried to copy his style.” Because it took a lot of space and effort to carry an upright bass around the country, Kirkland mastered the electric bass guitar, and began playing on the road. He was soon laying down licks on the electric instrument that stood out among bass players of the day. After his days on the road, Kirkland settled in Athens, Texas where he owned and operated Kirkland’s welding shop until he retired in 1991. He was a loving husband, father and friend to so many and will be greatly missed by all he knew.
He is preceded in death by his father Homer Ellis Kirkland; his mother and stepfather Johnnie and Henry Thomas Flippo; brother Winston Kirkland and sisters Jo Ophard Hogan and Barbara (Flippo) Duncan.
Survivors include loving wife Jeannine Kirkland of Athens; children, James Robert Kirkland of Los Angelas, William Chesley “Chet” Kirkland and wife Joy of Nashville, Tennessee, Jeff Kirkland of Mt. Pleasant, Curtis Pickle of Athens, Doug Pickle and wife Krista of Galena, Missouri, Wayne Pickle and wife Kathy of Athens; siblings, Charles Henry Flippo of Eustace, Mary Jo Norvell and husband Brad of Huntsville, Earnest Flippo and wife Donna of Heber Springs, Arkansas; grandchildren, Dr.’s Jeffrey “Will” Kirkland and wife Rachel, Katy Beth Kirkland, Chesley Kirkland, Lainey Kirkland, Sammy Pickle and wife Shonea, Butch Pickle and wife Cindy, Stephanie Kessler and husband John, Cassie Pickle, Lauren Pickle, Weston Pickle; numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Monday, May 2, 2022, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.
Mr. Kirkland went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 29, 2022 at his home in Athens, Texas.
James Homer Kirkland was born May 15, 1934 in Linden, Texas the son of Homer Ellis Kirkland and Johnnie (Partain) Flippo. James, at the age of 15, started his musical career playing in clubs where he was too young to get in on his own so for three years, his stepfather, Henry Flippo, would carry him to and from the venues, and stay until the show was over. During this time he and a few buddies from high school also had a band called The Bearcat Playboys. Recognized for his innovative bass playing, he’s mostly known as a singer/song writer, bass player and side man for Ricky Nelson, but he also recorded some legendary songs with Bob Luman (Red Hot, Red Cadillac and a Black Mustache), Bobby Lee Trammell (Shirley Lee, I Sure Do Love You Baby), Johnny Horton, Dale Hawkins and others. He made his first recordings (Stood Up, Waitin’ In School) with Ricky Nelson in 1957. Kirkland and his bandmate, guitarist James Burton (who became Elvis’ guitar player for some time) were one of the first endorsers of Rickenbacker. As The Ricky Nelson band they broke attendance records all three times they played the Steel Pier in Atlantic City (the record previously held by Frank Sinatra). Many Americans were able to see Kirkland slapping the bass with Ricky Nelson in the popular TV show Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and cult movie Carnival Rock from 1957. After his rock’n’roll career ended, he joined Country artist Jim Reeves and was actually the first one that introduced him with his future popular nickname “Gentleman Jim” and he later played with several music stars of the late 50s and early 60s such as Tony Douglas, David Houston and many others.
The East Texas musician was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Southern Rock Hall of Fame, Southern Legends Hall of Fame and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame where he was presented with the Pioneer Award for his innovative bass techniques. Some community members said he was one of the best bass players of all time, is credited with being “the first person to play electric bass on the Grand Ole Opry,” and a pioneer of the triple-slap style of upright bass playing. The slap style of bass provided a rhythm in bands that didn't have a drummer, while also contributing the bass line.
According to the Southern Legends Hall of Fame, Kirkland was considered by many to be the best stand-up bass player in rock and roll. On “Believe What You Say,” Kirkland “set down a four-slap beat on the stand-up bass that could only be played correctly by him. Many tried to copy his style.” Because it took a lot of space and effort to carry an upright bass around the country, Kirkland mastered the electric bass guitar, and began playing on the road. He was soon laying down licks on the electric instrument that stood out among bass players of the day. After his days on the road, Kirkland settled in Athens, Texas where he owned and operated Kirkland’s welding shop until he retired in 1991. He was a loving husband, father and friend to so many and will be greatly missed by all he knew.
He is preceded in death by his father Homer Ellis Kirkland; his mother and stepfather Johnnie and Henry Thomas Flippo; brother Winston Kirkland and sisters Jo Ophard Hogan and Barbara (Flippo) Duncan.
Survivors include loving wife Jeannine Kirkland of Athens; children, James Robert Kirkland of Los Angelas, William Chesley “Chet” Kirkland and wife Joy of Nashville, Tennessee, Jeff Kirkland of Mt. Pleasant, Curtis Pickle of Athens, Doug Pickle and wife Krista of Galena, Missouri, Wayne Pickle and wife Kathy of Athens; siblings, Charles Henry Flippo of Eustace, Mary Jo Norvell and husband Brad of Huntsville, Earnest Flippo and wife Donna of Heber Springs, Arkansas; grandchildren, Dr.’s Jeffrey “Will” Kirkland and wife Rachel, Katy Beth Kirkland, Chesley Kirkland, Lainey Kirkland, Sammy Pickle and wife Shonea, Butch Pickle and wife Cindy, Stephanie Kessler and husband John, Cassie Pickle, Lauren Pickle, Weston Pickle; numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held Monday, May 2, 2022, from 6-8:00 p.m. at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home family.