When he went to tent revivals with his mother as a child, Jim Morris’ outgoing personality led him to earn the nickname “Little Preacher.” As a basketball standout for Bowling Green High School, he was known by teammates as “Allen County,” in a nod to the place of his upbringing.

It was as a professional wrestler in the 1980s that Morris earned his most famous nickname, “Hillbilly Jim,” and Bowling Green author and travel writer Gary West has written a new book that details Morris’ exploits.

“Hillbilly Jim: The Incredible Story of a Wrestling Superstar” offers a look into Morris’ life and travels from his roots in southcentral Kentucky through his time in the then-World Wrestling Federation as a popular character to his present-day job as the host of “Hillbilly Jim’s Moonshine Matinee” on Sirius Satellite Radio.

West said that Morris, who lives in Bowling Green, was someone he had known of for a long time, but it wasn’t until he approached Morris about year and a half ago with the aim of writing a book about him that they spent a lot of time together.

Morris’ expansive personality and knack for storytelling came out during several sessions with West.

“Jim and I would sit for hours upon hours of talking,” West said. “I want the reader when they finish to know not necessarily who Hillbilly Jim is, but who Jim Morris is, because there is so much more to him than just being Hillbilly Jim the wrestler.”

Billed as a mountain man from Mud Lick, Ky., and wrestling in denim bib overalls, Hillbilly Jim was a fan favorite in the late-1980s when the WWF began to exert its influence as a global sports-entertainment juggernaut.

An intense work ethic, first as a high school athlete and then as a wrestler in regional promotions when he wrestled under the moniker “Harley Davidson” helped prepare Morris for his eventual pro wrestling success.

West talked with many people who have known Morris throughout his life who testified to his dedication, and the book features forewords from legendary wrestling figures Hulk Hogan and Jimmy Hart.

“I’ve interviewed a lot of people, and he’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever interviewed or done a book with,” West said. “His IQ probably matches his weight.”

Upcoming promotions for the book include a book release party and signing on Friday at Claudia’s Tea Room and Thurman Phillips Guest Home in Sonora. Morris will also be the grand marshal of the Glendale Crossing Festival on Saturday.

Copies of the book are available on www.acclaimpress.com.

— Follow courts reporter Justin Story on Twitter @jstorydailynews or visit bgdailynews.com.