Reeves and a friend , piano player Dean Manuel , were returning to Nashville from Batesville , Arkansas .
Died : Jim Reeves , 40 , American country singer , was killed when the small plane he was piloting encountered a violent thunderstorm while flying over Brentwood , Tennessee .
country singer and a friend , piano player Dean Manuel , were returning to Nashville from Batesville , Arkansas .
Died : Jim Reeves , 40 , American country singer , was killed when the small plane he was piloting encountered a violent thunderstorm while flying over Brentwood , Tennessee .