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Jimmy Heap, born James Arthur Heap on March 3, 1922, in Taylor, TX, was a prominent Western swing bandleader who led the Melody Masters for over three decades. Heap is best known for his contributions to country music, particularly for the classic "The Wild Side of Life," which was covered by notable artists including Hank Thompson, Burl Ives, and Waylon Jennings. His song "Release Me" also became a significant hit for Esther Phillips and Engelbert Humperdinck, marking their first Top Ten successes in 1962 and 1967, respectively. After serving in World War II, Heap formed the Melody Masters with musicians Arlie Carter, Louie Rincon, Bill Glendining, and Horace Barnett. The band gained local fame through radio exposure and was signed by Imperial Records in 1949. Heap, who played lead guitar, hired Houston "Perk" Williams to provide vocals and fiddle, leading to their debut release "Today, Tonight, and Tomorrow." The group's big break came with "The Wild Side of Life," which reached number one in March 1952, staying there for 15 weeks. Following this success, Heap was encouraged by Hank Thompson to sign with Capitol Records, where the Melody Masters recorded 32 tracks over five years, including the hit "Release Me," which charted in the Top Five in January 1954. After leaving Capitol in the mid-'50s, Heap formed Fame Records and continued to record

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