Grammy-Winning Christian Artist, Mandisa, Passes At 47

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Mandisa

Grammy, Dove Award and K-LOVE Fan Award winner Mandisa was found deceased in her Franklin, Tennessee home on April 18. She was 47.

Born Mandisa Lynn Hundley in California, she attended Fisk University in Tennessee to study music, and was a member of the renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers. She rose to fame appearing on season five of American Idol in 2006, and released her first album, True Beauty, a year after her time on the show. The project debuted at the top of the Top Christian Albums chart, and was nominated for a Grammy—her first of five career nominations.

 

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In 2014, she won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for her album Overcomer, which included the chart-topping title track as well as the top 10 singles “Stronger” and “Waiting for Tomorrow.” In 2017, after a hiatus from music, Mandisa released her fifth and final album, Out of the Dark. In 2022 released a memoir, Out of the Dark: My Journey Through the Shadows to Find God’s Joy, in which she detailed past trauma and overcoming some mental health struggles during a difficult season of life.

Along with her Grammys, Mandisa also won numerous Dove Awards in contemporary Christian categories and the K-LOVE Fan Award twice. With more than 1.6 million records sold, over 820 million global career streams, one Platinum and two Gold certified singles, Mandisa made a huge impact on Christian music.

Her cause of death has not yet been made public, and her services have not been announced.

Allman Brothers Band Founding Member Dickey Betts Passes Away

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Dickey Betts. Photo: Kirk West Photography

Forrest Richard “Dickey” Betts of the Allman Brothers Band passed away peacefully in his Sarasota, Florida home today (April 18) at the age of 80.

Betts penned quintessential hits including “Blue Sky,” “Ramblin’ Man,” “Jessica” and “In Memory of Elizabeth Reed.” With their guitar skills, he and bandmate Duane Allman developed a signature sound in the southern rock genre. The Allman Brothers Band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and honored with the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012.

In addition to Allman Brothers Band, Betts founded the Dickey Betts Band and Dickey Betts & Great Southern, which featured his son and fellow guitarist Duane Betts. Alongside music, he was known to love fishing, hunting, boating, golf, karate and boxing, and is remembered by loved ones as excelling at anything that caught his attention.

He survived by his fifth wife Donna and his four children. Betts is preceded in death by Allman and bandmates Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks and Gregg Allman as well as Allman Brothers Band crew members Twiggs Lyndon, Joe Dan Petty, Red Dog, Kim Payne and Mike Callahan.

According to a post shared from Betts’ Instagram account, the family asks for prayers and respect for their privacy during this time. More information will be announced at a later date.

Gabe Patillo, Former TobyMac Diverse City Member, Passes

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Gabe Patillo

Former TobyMac Diverse City member Gabriel (Gabe) Patillo passed away on Friday, April 12 after a battle with cancer.

Gabe began honing his creative skills at the age of 10. As a child, he danced for dcTalk, appeared in multiple videos for Brentwood Music and worked as a theater kid at Opryland in Nashville. As an adult, Gabe worked with Grammy and GMA Dove award-winning artist TobyMac as part of Diverse City, where he sang background vocals, was a choreographer and dancer and co-produced TobyMac tours. He also used his talents in the voiceover world working with Square Inc., Budweiser, ESPN and Under Armour, among others.

 

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Gabe is the son of Gospel Music Association President Jackie Patillo. He is survived by his mother; wife Jenni Patillo; three children, Amara, Milo and Remy; and his brother, Marcel Patillo. He is remembered for his enormous talent, generous spirit and unending energy.

A GoFundMe has been established to support Gabe’s family here.

Bucky Wilkin Of Ronny & The Daytonas Passes

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Bucky Wilkin

Nashville pop-music legend John “Bucky” Wilkin has died at age 77.

He is best known as the writer and performer of the rock ’n’ roll classic “G.T.O.,” billed as Ronny & The Daytonas. Songwriter Wilkin is also notable as a session guitarist. He was the son of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Marijohn Wilkin (1920-2006).

Born John William Wilkin, he began his career at age 8 as a child performer on The Ozark Jubilee & Junior Jubilee TV shows alongside fellow juvenile Brenda Lee. Bucky Wilkin was a prodigy who emulated guitarist Chet Atkins and performed instrumentals on the telecasts from Springfield, Missouri.

Relocating to Nashville, he grew up around the music community. While his mother was writing standards such as “The Long Black Veil,” “One Day at a Time,” “Cut Across Shorty” and “Waterloo,” Bucky Wilkin was exploring the teen sounds of the day. He formed a rock band called The Majestics which performed instrumentals at a roller rink on Thompson Lane. While daydreaming during a high-school physics class at Hillsboro High, he wrote “G.T.O.”

His mother had formed Buckhorn Music Publishing with producer Bill Justis. The latter took him into the studio and got him a recording contract. Wilkin became “Ronny Dayton,” and dubbed his group The Daytonas. In reality, there was no band. In the studio, Wilkin sang with Buzz Cason, Bobby Russell and Bergen White. On the road, he assembled various pick-up groups to accompany him. His high-school friends posed for the “band” pictures on the two record albums, issued in 1964 and 1966.

“G.T.O.” became a million-selling smash in 1964. It remains Nashville’s only hot-rod rock classic. Bucky Wilkin also wrote or co-wrote five charting Ronny & The Daytonas follow-up singles “California Bound,” “Sandy,” “Somebody to Love Me,” “Dianne Dianne” and “I’ll Think of Summer” in 1964-67. He also recorded pop songs as the “Buzz & Bucky” duo with Buzz Cason, notably 1965’s “Tiger-A-Go-Go” which they co-wrote.

His hits provided the financial foundation of Buckhorn Music. The company then signed his mother’s discovery Kris Kristofferson as a staff songwriter. Kristofferson and Wilkin roomed together for a time, and co-wrote several songs (“Blame It On the Stones,” “Apocalypse 1969,” “Screaming Metaphysical Blues,” etc.).

This time using his own name, Wilkin recorded solo LPs for Liberty Records (1970’s In Search of Food, Clothing, Shelter and Sex) and United Artists Records (1971’s Buck Wilkin). He also maintained a career as a session guitarist, appearing on discs by Waylon Jennings, Joan Baez, Kristofferson, John Stewart, Steve Goodman, Bob Lind, Jessi Colter, Hedge & Donna, Kinky Friedman, Dory Previn and others.

Kristofferson introduced him to Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. Wilkin accompanied the actors to Peru to make the 1971 film The Last Movie. He provided the production’s soundtrack songs and briefly appeared in it. The film was intended to be the follow-up to Hopper’s successful Easy Rider, but turned out to be an incomprehensible cinematic disaster.

Back in Nashville, Buck Wilkin’s songs caught the ears of a wide variety of artists. “My God and I” was recorded by such diverse stylists as Bobby Goldsboro, Odetta, Frankie Laine, Bobby Vee and Ray Charles. In 1970, Bobbie Gentry made the pop charts with his song “Apartment 21.” His compositions were also recorded by The Chordettes, Southern Pacific, The Beach Boys, Wayne Newton, Alex Chilton, The Hondells, Robert Knight and The Swinging Blue Jeans.

In 1997, New York’s Sundazed Records company issued a “Best Of” compilation of the Ronny & The Daytonas hits. Buck Wilkin’s profile went higher in 2000 when the same label reissued his debut albums G.T.O. and Sandy, both with the original Daytonas billing. He participated in a number of golden-oldie revues under his old “Ronny Dayton” billing.

John “Buck” Wilkin lived in a comfortable RV park in Hickman County, but regularly drove to Nashville to pick up royalty checks at the post office, look after his mother’s legacy and chat with old music industry friends.

He was an only child, and he never married. He passed away on April 6 near Linden, Tennessee. His death was announced by Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. No services are planned.

A celebration of John Buck Wilkin’s life will be announced at a later time.

Norah Lee Allen, Vocalist & Wife Of Oak Ridge Boys Member Duane Allen, Passes

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Norah Lee Allen

Oak Ridge Boys lead singer Duane Allen is mourning the loss of his wife Norah Lee Allen, who passed away on Sunday (March 31) after battling an extended illness. She was 76.

Duane and Norah Lee Allen

Duane shared the news with his close friends on Sunday, saying, “This morning, my wife of 54 years and 8 months took her last breath of air on planet Earth. Norah Lee went to be with Jesus at 7:28 am, Easter morning. She had not been feeling well for some time. Her family all spent the night with her last night at Vanderbilt Hospital. We took time singing with and to her, telling her stories, and loving her every second that God let us share her here on Earth.”

Norah Lee grew up in Bowling Green and began singing with her sisters in The Stuart Sisters Trio, formed by their father when she was only three. For nearly 17 years, the family gospel singers traveled, toured and performed at revivals, concerts, conventions and churches throughout the southeast. In 1968, she was hired by the country gospel music group Chuck Wagon Gang. A year later, she married Duane.

In the early 1970s, Norah Lee worked in Nashville with Benson Publishing Group. She also did background session work with country, bluegrass and gospel bands and for many artists, including Conway Twitty and Grand Ole Opry bass legend Jerome Hines. In 1980, Norah Lee became a full-time member of the Grand Ole Opry band as a background vocalist. Over the years, Norah Lee and the Carol Lee Singers—then Opry staff singers—performed in front of thousands of country fans live at the Opry and on television and radio worldwide. In 2022, Norah Lee was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

She is survived by husband Duane, two children, Jamie Allen (Paul) Martin and Dee Allen, and her four grandchildren, March, Kell, Texas and Tallant Martin.

Details regarding memorial arrangements will be shared on Duane Allen’s Facebook page and The Oak Ridge Boys’ social media platforms.

Veteran Music Manager Erv Woolsey Passes Away At 80

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Erv Woolsey. Photo: Courtesy of The Erv Woolsey Co.

Erv Woolsey, the manager and champion of George Strait for 45 years, passed away this morning (March 20)  in Clearwater, Florida due to complications from surgery. He was 80.

In addition to Strait, Woolsey helped steward the careers of Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker and Country Music Hall of Famer Ronnie Milsap.

Erv Woolsey & George Strait. Photo: Courtesy of The Erv Woolsey Co.

Reflecting on his passing, Strait shared, “My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer, Erv Woolsey, passed away this morning. He had complications from a surgery and just couldn’t overcome it. He was a very tough man, and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much. We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won’t ever be the same without him.”

Born Eugene Ervine “Erv” Woolsey on Feb. 15, 1944 in Houston, Texas, Woolsey spent his entire professional life in the music business. A graduate of Southwest Texas State University, he started his career in the Promotion department at Decca Records. After spending time at other record labels, Woolsey made his way to Nashville in 1973 when he was tapped as Head of Promotions for ABC Records’ new country division. There he worked with Johnny Rodriguez, Jimmy Buffett, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender and the Amazing Rhythm Aces.

At the same time, Woolsey and his then wife Connie owned The Prairie Rose, a club in San Marcos, Texas. It was there he first saw and met Strait and, taken with his talent and charisma, began to book him regularly to perform.

After making his mark at ABC, Woolsey embarked on an unprecedented run at MCA during the ’80s. He helped create ongoing radio success for future Country Music Hall of Fame members Barbara Mandrell, Don Williams, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty and The Oak Ridge Boys as well as Lee Greenwood.

In 1981, Woolsey convinced label head Jim Foglesong to sign Strait to a record deal at MCA Records, his label home to this day. Strait began his career of hits with debut single “Unwound.”

In 1984, Woolsey left MCA to devote himself to managing Strait’s career. With Woolsey by his side, Strait went on to win several Entertainer of the Year awards across four decades among more than 60 major entertainment awards, sell over 105 million albums, notch more No. 1 songs (60) than any other artist in history, be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and more.

Woolsey continued to stay relevant in the modern times of the genre. His continued love of the business and developing new talent saw him signing emerging artists Ian Munsick, Davisson Brothers Band, Kylie Frey, Triston Marez, Nick Davisson, Zach Neil, Stone Senate and Vince Herman over the last few years.

An accomplished businessman, Woolsey also developed a series of clubs, bars and hangouts throughout his career. Alongside business partner Steve Ford, he opened The Trap before striking gold with the anti-glam, come-as-you-are Losers. Designed as a hole in the wall for publishers, producers, writers and the alternative Music Row types, Losers’ success spawned the equally busy Winners, right next door, and the Dawg House.

Woolsey served on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association and the Tennessee Museum of History. A frequent counsel to young managers, agents, artists and executives, he was known to be a gracious industry leader who was generous with his knowledge and time.

A longtime fan and passionate member of the horse racing community, Woolsey is a Lifetime Member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association. He was also regular at Kentucky’s Churchill Downs and Keeneland, including Super Stock’s run in the Kentucky Derby Grade One in 2021 and Jordan’s Henny in the Kentucky Oaks Grade One in 2017.

Woolsey passed peacefully under the care of physicians. He is survived by his son Clint, ex-wife Connie, brother David and sister Beth, and preceded in death by his parents, John and Mavis Woolsey, and brother Johnny Woolsey.

Details on arrangements will be shared at a future date.

Music Row Photographer Steve Lowry Dies

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Steve Lowry

Beloved photographer Steve Lowry, who captured hundreds of events and industry gatherings on Music Row, died of a heart attack on Sunday, March 10 while on the job. He was 63.

Lowry started his photojournalism career as a teenager in Kentucky. He came to Music City to work for the Nashville Banner, where he spent several years photographing happenings around the city. Lowry then spent time at TNN before becoming a freelance photographer with clients in all types of industries. Prior to the pandemic, he was the in-house photographer for the Ryman Auditorium for 14 years.

Over the last 15 years, Lowry has been a fixture at music industry events in Nashville, taking photos at hundreds of No. 1 parties, concerts, celebratory gatherings, benefits and more. He was called on for artist signing photos, trade shots, album covers, corporate headshots and much more. Lowry’s photos have graced Nashville Banner, The Tennessean, Billboard, Rolling Stone, MusicRow, American Songwriter and many more publications.

He deeply appreciated the work of Music Health Alliance (MHA), Second Harvest and Safe Haven Family Shelter and generously supported many philanthropic efforts in Nashville with his time and photography skills.

Lowry is survived by his partner Jerri Malloy, his mother, brother and sister-in-law, two nephews and countless friends.

Lowry’s memorial service will take place Friday, April 19 at Woodmont Christian Church, with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. in the chapel and a Celebration of Life service at 11:30 in the sanctuary. A GoFundMe has been set up for Lowry’s partner of many years, Jerri Malloy.

Photographer Anthony Scarlati Passes

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Anthony Scarlati

Photographer Anthony Scarlati passed away on Friday, March 8, after a brief illness. He was 63.

Born in Paw Paw, Michigan, Scarlati spent most of his early life in Clarendon Hills, Illinois. He attended Western Michigan University before meeting wife, Therese, and starting a family. His career ranged from his early days as a sports photographer to his equine photography, capturing cowboys on a cattle ranch in North Dakota.

Moving to Tennessee 20 years ago, Scarlati landed in Leiper’s Fork and quickly became part of the Nashville music scene through his friendships and photography. As the house photographer for Music City Roots, Franklin Theatre and Fox & Locke, he provided the defining images for the Americana Music Triangle and Nashville’s Big Back Yard.

He has photographed many well known artists including Dolly Parton, The Doobie Brothers, BB King, Billy Gibbons, Tom Petty, Marty Stuart, Keb Mo and Billy Bob Thornton. Scarlati was Hall of Fame Songwriter Jeffrey Steele and family’s personal photographer and dear friend for the last 16 years. His love of culture and community was apparent in his photo work as well as his recent project “The Soul of America,” which chronicled his travels to small towns around America.

His publication credits include BMI Music World, Jazz Times, Bass Player Magazine, Country Music Weekly, Nashville Arts Magazine, Living Blues Magazine, Guitar Player Magazine, MusicRow and People. A lifelong lover of cuisine and culture, good books and music, he was also a woodworker in his early career.

Scarlati is survived by his wife Therese; children Sarah Hull (Jon), Katie Duda (Kevin) and Joe Scarlati (Amanda); grandchildren Tara, Ethan, Evan, Vinnie, Samantha, Maddux, Max and Layla; brothers Stephen (Debbie) and Michael (Kelly); his parents Steven and Marjorie Scarlati and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Scarlati will be held on May 26 at 3-5 p.m. CT at Green’s Grocery in Leiper’s Fork. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be donated to the Alex LeVasseur Advised Fund.

Former ACM Executive Director Fran Boyd Passes Away

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Fran Boyd

Former Academy of Country Music (ACM) Executive Director Fran Boyd has passed away.

Boyd became the organization’s first paid employee when she was hired as an executive secretary in 1968. Over the years, she rose through the ranks, overseeing daily operations, serving as Talent Producer of the ACM Awards and maintaining oversight of virtually every aspect of the annual presentation. In 1995, following the passing of her husband Bill, who himself led the organization, Boyd was named Executive Director.

The ACM’s signature hat trophy was created the same year she joined, and throughout her tenure, Boyd saw the organization open its first office in Hollywood as well as refresh its name from the Academy of Country and Western Music to the Academy of Country Music in the early 1970s, and move the awards show to multiple famous California venues such as Disneyland, Universal Amphitheatre and Knott’s Berry Farm.

At the time of her retirement in 2002, she said, “I continue to be proud of all the Academy of Country Music has accomplished in my time. It has given me great joy to see so many young country artists rise from newcomers to having great careers. The Academy has helped music fans acknowledge country music as the enduring genre it deserves to be.”

ACM CEO Damon Whiteside shares, “Her tireless work and years of dedication to this organization, the country music industry and its artists cannot be overstated, and her legacy with the Academy will forever live on.”

“Fran Boyd played an essential part in the Academy’s history, stretching way back to the earliest days in the 1960s and steering the ship through decades of change, innovation and growth, all while fostering an incredible passion for country music,” says ACM Board Sergeant-At-Arms Gayle Holcomb. “Fran will always be remembered as a champion for our industry, its artists and this organization. On behalf of the ACM Officers and Board of Directors, I send our gratitude, prayers and condolences to the Boyd family.”

The organization shares that donations to Alive Hospice Nashville or the Alzheimer’s Association in Boyd’s honor are appreciated in lieu of flowers.

Blackberry Smoke’s Brit Turner Dies Of Brain Cancer

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Brit Turner

Brit Turner, a co-founder and drummer of southern rock band Blackberry Smoke, passed away on Sunday (March 3) after a battle with brain cancer. He was 57.

Turner was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022. Earlier this week, the band shared on social media that he had passed.

“If you had the privilege of knowing Brit on any level, you know he was the most caring, empathetic, driven and endearing person one could ever hope to meet,” the band shared. “Brit was Blackberry Smoke’s True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band.”

 

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Turner, a Michigan native, formed Blackberry Smoke in 2000 alongside his brother Richard Turner (bass, vocals) as well as Charlie Starr (vocals, guitar), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals) and Brandon Still (keyboards) in Atlanta, Georgia. Since their establishment, Preston Holcomb (drums) and Benji Shanks (guitar) have joined the band as well.

Throughout their prolific career, Blackberry Smoke has released seven studio albums including 2021’s You Hear Georgia, which celebrated their 20th anniversary as a band. In addition to their studio albums, they have released several other projects such as their EPs Stoned, The Southern Ground Sessions and Live From Capricorn Studios as well as Homecoming: Live In Atlanta, a live album and concert film.

Blackberry Smoke released their most recent album, Be Right Here, on Feb. 16, featuring Turner’s playing. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Current Country Albums chart,
Americana/Folk Albums chart and Current Rock Albums chart as well as No. 4 on the Best-Selling Current Albums chart.

Since 2000, the band has built a solid reputation for their relentless touring, building a strong and loyal community of fans. Turner continued to play with Blackberry Smoke on tour through December 2023.

Funeral arrangements for Turner are expected to be announced shortly.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Families and Communities Together Relief (FACT), which offers aid to families whose principal bread-winner is struck by a serious illness and will support Turner’s family.