Jody Payne, Guitarist For Willie Nelson, Dies

Jody Payne, a guitarist who toured with Willie Nelson from 1973 until 2008, has died at age 77. Payne, a Kentucky native, passed away at 5:13 a.m. on Saturday (Aug. 10) from cardiac problems, according to the Associated Press.
It is estimated that during his time performing with Nelson as part of The Family Band, Payne performed between 3,500 and 7,000 concerts with the entertainer. He then retired to Stapleton, Ala., with his wife Vicki, where Payne taught guitar at Picker’s Paradise, a local music store.
A post on Nelson’s Facebook page regarding Payne’s death stated, “Our friend will be missed.”