Introduction:
Michelle Voan Capps Speaks Out After Country Guitar Legend Jimmy Capps’ Passing
When Jimmy Capps — affectionately known as “The Man in Back” of the Grand Ole Opry — passed away on June 1, 2020, the country music world mourned. But the deepest grief belonged to his wife and musical partner, singer Michelle Voan Capps.
After months of silence, Michelle began to share deeply personal reflections:
Daily emptiness – an empty chair, untouched guitars, and Jimmy’s handwritten set lists became vivid reminders of both comfort and pain.
Honesty about grief – she explained that healing is not a straight line: some days she could sing again, other days even listening to his recordings felt impossible.
Strength through faith – Michelle leaned on her spiritual beliefs for peace, reminding others that love and music endure beyond death.
Jimmy Capps’ career remains a cornerstone of country music:
His guitar graced countless classics, including Kenny Rogers’ “The Gambler” and George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
For over 60 years with the Grand Ole Opry staff band, he became the quiet heartbeat of the stage and was honored with the rare Jimmy Capps Music Room, a tribute seldom given to a backing musician.
Nashville honored him with heartfelt gestures—from memorial services where fellow musicians performed simple, soulful tributes to Opry broadcasts and radio specials that replayed his unmistakable guitar work. Michelle continues to perform, dedicating songs to her late husband and helping preserve his legacy through concerts, interviews, and treasured keepsakes.
More than an accomplished musician, Jimmy Capps is remembered as a devoted husband, a gentle friend, and the steadfast force behind some of country music’s most iconic sounds. As Michelle puts it: “Love doesn’t disappear; it simply changes form and lives on in every melody.”