Longtime Grand Ole Opry Guitarist Jimmy Capps Releases Autobiography

Guitarist Jimmy Capps is releasing a new autobiography, The Man In Back, sharing stories from his 60-year career as a studio session player and guitarist on the Grand Ole Opry. 

In the new book, Capps shares memories of working with some of country music’s biggest names on songs iconic to country fans everywhere, including Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler,” Barbara Mandrell’s “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” The Oak Ridge Boys’ mega-hit “Elvira” and the song thought of by many as the greatest country single of all time, George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

The Grand Ole Opry will celebrate Capps’ Opry career during a special show Dec. 21 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and May 2019 has been designated as “Jimmy Capps Month” in his hometown of Benson, North Carolina.

Capps was inducted into the Musicians Hall Of Fame and the North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame in 2014, and he was honored as a “Nashville Cat” by the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2012. The Tennessee Senate passed a Joint Resolution in 2015 proclaiming Capps’ contributions to the music industry, and Tennessee governor Bill Haslam named him “Goodwill Ambassador” in 2015. Capps was also honored with many of NARAS’ “Super Picker Awards,” including “Most Valuable Acoustic Player.”

Currently he can be seen every week on RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner as the guitar-playing “Sheriff,” and also on the Country’s Family Reunion shows.

“Jimmy Capps is a fascinating human being, as you are about to find out,” said Barbara Mandrell. “He is so gifted and talented. But he is also such a kind and wonderful person. Jimmy Capps is the real deal and a real friend.”

The book is available through jimmycappsbook.com or by calling 615-804-0361.