• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

Walk The West, Cactus Brothers Leader Dies At Age 48

September 27, 2011/by Robert K Oermann

Paul Kirby, who co-founded the Nashville rock band Walk the West and also led the country-rocking Cactus Brothers, has died of cardiac arrest at age 48.

The native Nashvillian passed away on Sunday at his home. Paul Kirby was the son of the late country songwriter Dave Kirby (“Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” “Memories to Burn,” “There Ain’t No Good Chain Gang,” etc.). The elder Kirby wrote several songs for Merle Haggard and later married Haggard’s ex-wife, singer-songwriter Leona Williams.

But although Haggard, Willie Nelson and other stars were frequent visitors to his father’s home, Paul Kirby was inspired by the country-punk music of Nashville’s Jason & The Scorchers. He and friends John Goleman, Will Goleman and Richard Ice formed Walk the West in 1984, eager to join the emerging Nashville rock scene of that era. The band signed with Capitol/EMI and issued its self-titled LP in 1986.

The singles from that record were “Living at Night” and “Lonely Boy,” both issued in 1986. Despite critical acclaim and a national tour with The Smithereens, the label didn’t put out the second album that Walk the West recorded.

By the early 1990s, the group had morphed into the more countrified Cactus Brothers. Multi-instrumentalist Tramp, dulcimer player David Schnaufer, steel guitarist Sam Pollard and drummer Dave Kennedy joined Kirby in The Cactus Brothers.

The group recorded two albums for the country division of Capitol/Liberty Records, as well as the well-received music videos “Crazy Heart” (1993) and “Sixteen Tons” (1994). The Cactus Brothers also appeared in the 1993 George Strait movie Pure Country.

Since The Cactus Brothers dissolution around 1995, Kirby had been working as an independent musician and songwriter. Walk the West reunited earlier this month for a show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Exit/In nightclub.

Paul Kirby’s survivors include his companion Elizabeth Forsythe, mother Emma Lou Kirby, brother Wade Kirby and sister Janis Ross.

Read more in this LA Times article from 1993.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Robert K Oermann
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zach Top Kicks Off Summer - June 12, 2025
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Old Dominion ‘Live & Breathe Hooks’ - June 5, 2025
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Sister Sadie Brings ‘Tart Lyric & Swaying Fiddling’ - May 29, 2025
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2011-09-27 16:45:132011-09-27 16:45:13Walk The West, Cactus Brothers Leader Dies At Age 48

RECENT NEWS

  • Industry Ink: Tim McGraw, CMHOFM, Warren Zeiders, Kashus Culpepper, More June 17, 2025
  • Previously Unheard Waylon Jennings Collection ‘Songbird’ To Be Released In October June 17, 2025
  • ‘CMA Fest Presented By SoFi’ ABC Special Lineup Revealed June 17, 2025
  • Alexandra Kay To Open ‘Coffee Girl’ Coffee Shop This Thursday June 17, 2025
  • Acclaimed Composer Stacy Widelitz Passes June 17, 2025
  • Musicians On Call Adds Nine To Team June 17, 2025
  • Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen Holds On To Top Spots On Country Charts June 17, 2025
  • John Morgan’s First Headlining ‘Friends Like That Tour’ To Kick Off In October June 17, 2025
  • Noah Cyrus Readies Sophomore Album Featuring Collaborations With Blake Shelton, Ella Langley, More June 17, 2025
  • CMHOFM To Open Lainey Wilson: Tough As Nails Exhibit June 17, 2025

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2025 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top