LifeNotes: Boy Howdy Co-Founder, Drummer Hugh Wright Passes

Drummer Hugh Wright, who co-founded the hit country band Boy Howdy, has died at age 63.

He died of natural causes at his home in Great Falls, Montana, on Friday, Sept. 25.

A native of Des Moines, he studied percussion at the University of Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1975. Wright was the drum major of the school’s marching band.

He moved to Los Angeles and became a studio musician for a number of nationally known artists, including blues legend John Lee Hooker. He was named the California Music Association’s Drummer of the Year in 1992.

He next became a founding member of Boy Howdy, fronted by singer-songwriter Jeffrey Steele. Signed to Curb Records, the group scored four Top 40 country hits in 1993-94, including “A Cowboy’s Born With a Broken Heart” and the Top 10 successes “She’d Give Anything” and “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore.”

Wright moved to Great Falls in 1995 and continued his music career by performing in a number of regional rock, pop, blues and country bands.

A memorial service is planned in Montana. For more information contact Rod’s Music at 406-771-1314.

Hugh Wright (L) was the drummer in Boy Howdy. Photo submitted by Jeffrey Steele.