Industry Veteran Ken Biddy Passes

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Ken Biddy

Industry veteran Herbert Kenneth “Ken” Biddy passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 21 after battling cancer and congestive heart failure.

Growing up the Woodstock, Georgia area, Ken worked as a bouncer, a rock-a-billy artist manager and carpet layer before landing jobs at Lockheed and Ken Stanton Music. It was his love of music that led Ken to Nashville in 1983, where he and partners Jimmy Long and Myron Cantrell formed Copperfield Music Group and signed the Chuck Wagon Gang. During their time with Copperfield, the band won the TNN/Music City News Award for Country Gospel Group of the Year on four occasions.

Ken expanded his business into the country field by securing country cuts by Montgomery Gentry, Lee Ann Womack, LeAnn Rimes, Jeff Carson, Kenny Rogers and others. Dedicated to nurturing songwriters, songs from his catalog often appeared in film and television.

In July of 1991, Ken met another music executive Shelia Shipley while having drinks at Sunset Grill. Introduced by Shelia’s best friend and personal assistant, Lori Evans, they went on their first date a week later. They married in February of 1992 and spent 32 years together as husband and wife until his passing.

Ken had five children, including Crystal Milligan, Dena Biddy Bryant, Daniel Biddy, Amanda Biddy and Michael Shipley, as well as many grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends will be held this Sunday (Aug. 25) from 3 p.m.–6 p.m. as well as on Monday (Aug. 26) from 12:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Memorial Park, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:30 p.m. A graveside service will also take place on Monday at 3:30 p.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Condolences can be shared with Shelia Shipley Biddy at shelia@musichealthalliance.com.

Three Members Of Gospel Group The Nelons Killed In Plane Crash

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The Nelons’ Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler and Jason Clark

Gospel favorites The Nelons were involved in a fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon (July 26) while en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska.

Those killed in the tragic crash include Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler and their assistant, Melodi Hodges, along with the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.

Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter Autumn and her husband Jamie Streetman were not on the plane, and arrived safely in Seattle and were notified of the accident. They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray and embrace them in their grief, and offer them support.

“As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday,” said Autumn in a released statement. “Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”

Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2016, The Nelons have been one of gospel music’s most beloved families for nearly five decades. The eight-time Dove Award winners have been nominated for three Grammy Awards. have recorded more than 35 albums, amassing over 20 top five southern gospel radio singles including classics like “We Shall Wear A Robe and Crown,” “Come Morning,” “O For A Thousand Tongues” and “Thanks.”

A celebration of life for Jason, Kelly, Amber and Nathan Kistler will take place at Roopville Road Baptist Church in Roopville, Georgia on Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. The service will be livestreamed on the church’s website and Facebook page.

Larry and Melissa Haynie’s services will take place at the same church on Aug. 3 at 2 p.m.

Songwriter & Producer Jerry Fuller Dies At 85

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Jerry Fuller. Photo: Courtesy of Footprint Sound

Jerry Fuller, the songwriter and producer behind such hits as Ricky Nelson’s “Travelin’ Man,” Al Wilson’s “Show and Tell” and Gary Puckett And The Union Gap’s “Young Girl,” died on July 18 due to complications from lung cancer. He was 85.

Born in Forth Worth, Texas into a musical family, Fuller moved to Los Angeles in 1959 to pursue a career. Early on, he worked as a demo singer, which led to a recording/songwriting contract with Gene Autry’s Four Star Music and Challenge Records. He charted several singles on the label, including “Betty My Angel,” “Tennessee Waltz,” “The Place Where I Cry,” “Guilty Of Loving You,” “I Get Carried Away” and “Shy Away.”

Fuller was touring with The Champs in the 1960s when he met Glen Campbell. Impressed by his voice, he convinced Campbell to move to Los Angeles, where the young talent helped him demo the Fuller-penned “Travelin’ Man.” The song became a Gold-certified, No. 1 hit for Nelson, starting a string of Nelson hits with Fuller such as “Young World,” “It’s Up To You,” “A Wonder Like You” and “Congratulations.”

Unfortunately, Fuller was drafted into the U.S. Army just as he was becoming an in-demand songwriter. After two years in the service, he accepted an offer to lead Four Star’s New York office. During a night out in Albany, Fuller made a connection with The Knickerbockers and eventually signed them. His first No. 1 as a producer came with the group’s “Lies” that reached No. 1 in the U.K.

He continued to have hits as a producer in the ’60s and ’70s, including Gary Puckett And The Union Gap’s “Woman, Woman,” “Young Girl,” “Lady Willpower” and “Over You,” all of which sold millions of copies. Fuller also produced O.C. Smith’s “Little Green Apples” and Mark Lindsay’s “Arizona,” “Miss America” and “Silver Bird.”

He ventured further into business in the ’70s, starting companies Moonchild Productions Inc. and Fullness Music Company, and working with artists like Johnny Mathis and Mac Davis. He also started writing country songs, enjoying hits with Ray Price’s “That’s All She Wrote,” “To Make A Long Story Short” and “Feet” as well as Reba McEntire’s “I Still Long To Hold You Now And Then” and “That Makes Two Of Us.” He wrote Al Wilson’s multi-genre smash “Show And Tell,” which was Cashbox‘s Single of the Year for 1973.

In 1982, Fuller produced his old friend Campbell’s Old Home Town album, featuring “I Love How You Love Me” and his song “A Woman’s Touch.”

Other artists who recorded one or more of Fuller’s over 1,100 songs include Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, Hank Snow, Roy Clark, Cher, Ray Charles, Don McLean, Dottie West, Barbara Mandrell, Marty Robbins, Johnny Lee, Pat Boone, Steve Wariner, Percy Sledge and many more.

Fuller died surrounded by family and loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Annette Fuller and their children, Adam Lee and Anna Nicole. Funeral services have yet to be announced.

Celebrated Singer-Songwriter Dave Loggins Dies At Age 76

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Dave Loggins

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, CMA Award winner and four-time Grammy nominee Dave Loggins passed away on Wednesday (July 10).

As a recording artist, he is best known for the 1972 pop smash “Please Come to Boston.” As a songwriter, Loggins wrote or co-wrote 14 No. 1 country hits and 25 top 10 successes in various formats.

Born David Allen Loggins, he came from a small hamlet in the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee. His father was a country fiddler. Loggins began playing guitar and writing songs when he was in high school in Bristol, Tennessee. He worked as a draftsman and as an insurance salesman before deciding to take his songs to Music City.

He arrived in Nashville in 1970 at age 25. Loggins recalled that his initial progress was slow because his songs were in the troubadour mode of James Taylor or Dan Fogelberg, rather than straight-ahead country compositions. But he got a publishing contract on Music Row, as well as a recording pact with the folk-oriented Vanguard Records.

The label issued Personal Belongings as his debut LP in 1972. Produced by Jerry Crutchfield and Glenn Keener and recorded at Jack Clement’s studio, it contained “Pieces of April.” Later that year, the song became a top 10 AC hit and a top 20 pop success for Three Dog Night.

Loggins moved to Epic Records for 1974’s Apprentice. This album contained his self-composed “Please Come to Boston,” which became a No. 1 AC smash, a No. 5 pop hit and an evergreen radio favorite. The performance earned Loggins a Grammy Award nomination. “Please Come to Boston” has since been recorded by more than dozen other stars, including Glen Campbell, Kenny Chesney and Babyface. Loggins followed that single with “Someday.”

Three Dog Night returned to his songwriting catalog for their 1975 pop hit “’Til the World Ends.” The following year, Dave Loggins self-produced his LP Country Suite. It contained “Lovin’ Somebody on a Rainy Night” and “You’re Got Me to Hold on To.” The former was recorded by England Dan & John Ford Coley as well as LaCosta. The latter song was recorded by Tanya Tucker and in 1976 became the songwriter’s first top 10 country hit.

Brent Maher produced 1977’s LP One Way Ticket to Paradise and 1979’s David Loggins. Neither yielded hits. But by this time, Loggins songs had been recorded by Andy Williams, B.W. Stevenson, Joan Baez, Paul Anka, Lynn Anderson, John Conlee, Twiggy, Dan Seals, Johnny Mathis and others. Despite his expressive singing voice and star-worthy looks, Loggins opted for the life of a Nashville songwriter after 1980.

In 1981, he wrote “Augusta.” The following year, the CBS television network chose it as the anthem for its annual coverage of the Masters Golf Tournament. It became the longest-lasting sports theme in broadcasting history.

In 1984, “Everyday” as recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys, became the first Dave Loggins song to become a No. 1 country hit. The songwriter topped the country charts again with “Roll On 18 Wheeler” (Alabama, 1984), “I’ll Never Stop Loving You” (Gary Morris, 1985), “You Make Me Want to Make You Mine” (Juice Newton, 1985), the Grammy nominated “Forty Hour Week” (Alabama, 1985), “Makin’ Up for Lost Time” (Crystal Gayle & Gary Morris, 1985) and “Morning Desire” (Kenny Rogers, 1985).

He did not write the ballad “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do,” but he sang it with Anne Murray. Their duet became a No. 1 hit in 1984 and won the CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year in 1985. This made Loggins the only artist to win a CMA Award without having a recording contract. In addition, the performance was nominated for a Grammy. In 1985, he also recorded a duet with Gus Hardin. It was on his own song “Just as Long as I Have You.”

These vocal performances did not interrupt his soaring songwriting career. His No. 1 hits continued with “Don’t Underestimate My Love for You” (Lee Greenwood, 1986), “One Promise Too Late” (Reba McEntire, 1987), “Wheels” (Restless Heart, 1987) and “Love Will Find Its Way to You” (Reba McEntire, 1988). Dave Loggins was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year for 1987.

His songs continued to be recorded by such artists as Jimmy Buffett, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dave Grusin, Tammy Wynette, Rita Coolidge, Vince Gill, Rick Nelson, Marie Osmond, Billy Joe Royal, Sonny James, Loretta Lynn, Nicolette Larson and Johnny Cash, among others. He hit No. 1 on the country charts once again in 1992. This was for Wynonna’s version of “She Is His Only Need.” It resulted in his fourth Grammy nomination.

In the 1990s, the songs of Dave Loggins were also recorded by Hank Williams Jr., Doug Stone, Billy Ray Cyrus, Rick Trevino, Jo Dee Messina, Steve Wariner, Smokey Robinson, Lacy J. Dalton and more.

Artists continued to validate his songwriting prowess in the new millennium. They included Toby Keith, Lee Ann Womack, Willie Nelson, Aaron Tippin and Sawyer Brown in 2000-2010. Over the years, Loggins’ composing collaborators included Don Schlitz, Lisa Silver, J.D. Martin, Steve Dorff and John Bettis.

During his five-decade career as a hit songwriter, Loggins earned 25 ASCAP Awards. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995.

Dave Loggins died at Alive Hospice in Nashville. He was 76 years old.

He is survived by his three sons, Quinn Loggins, Kyle Loggins, and Dylan Loggins, as well as his grandson, Braxton Loggins. He was the second cousin of pop star Kenny Loggins. At the songwriter’s request, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alive Hospice in Nashville.

Oak Ridge Boy Joe Bonsall Passes At Age 76 [Full Obituary]

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Joe Bonsall. Photo: Jon Mir

Joe Bonsall, the high-energy tenor singer of The Oak Ridge Boys, died yesterday (July 9).

As a member of the group, he is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Bonsall was a key vocalist on such Oak Ridge Boys hits as “Elvira,” “Bobbie Sue” and “American Made.”

Bonsall was raised on the rough streets of North Philadelphia. He entered a talent contest as a singer at age four and appeared on local television. But he joined a street gang at age 12 and turned his back on music and religion. After a severe beating at age 14, he turned his life around. He was fascinated by vocal harmonies, particularly by those in gospel quartets.

The Oak Ridge Boys. Photo: Alan Messer

He joined a local group called The Faith Four Quartet. Singing in New Jersey, he heard a truly professional ensemble named The Eastman Quartet. It featured bass singer Richard Sterban, who became a friend. After Sterban joined The Keystone Quartet, the group invited Joe Bonsall to join when he was 19.

The Keystones admired and imitated The Oak Ridge Boys, a quartet founded in 1943. William Lee Golden and Duane Allen had already become members of the Oaks by that time. The veteran group was known for modernizing the gospel sound. Steban joined The Oak Ridge Boys in 1972. Bonsall completed the Oaks’ modern lineup in 1973.

He moved to Nashville to join the rest of the group. The Oaks signed with Columbia Records and became even bigger gospel stars. But they were also known as “gospel rebels” for including secular songs in their repertoire and playing Las Vegas. They also jettisoned the matching-suits, gospel-quartet uniforms and grew their hair long. In addition, Bonsall and the Oaks began drifting into country music.

In 1974, they started singing with Johnny Cash. A year later, they issued “Rhythm Guitar” (“Nobody wants to play rhythm guitar behind Jesus”) and won a gospel Grammy Award for their version of Johnny Russell’s country hit “The Baptism of Jesse Taylor.” The Oaks became one of the first American acts to tour the Soviet Union when they travelled there with Roy Clark in 1976.

They repeated their Grammy-winning feat in 1977 and 1978 with “Where the Soul Never Dies” and “Just a Little Taik With Jesus.” Paul Simon featured the group singing harmonies on his 1977 pop hit “Slip Slidin’ Away.”

By then, The Oak Ridge Boys had stopped taking gospel bookings. The group signed with ABC/Dot Records and issued “Y’all Come Back Saloon” in the summer of 1977. It inaugurated a string of 34 top 10 country hits of 1977-1991, including 17 No. 1 smashes.

On stage, Joe Bonsall became the group’s “spark plug,” energetically bouncing along and cheer-leading its performances. Duane Allen usually sang lead, but Bonsall’s high vocals were often just as ear catching. William Lee Golden handled the tricky baritone harmonies and provided a striking visual presence with his “mountain man”/“Biblical-prophet” look. Richard Sterban dressed in dapper designer suits and captivated crowds with his ultra-low bass-vocal dips.

The Oak Ridge Boys. Photo: Brandon Wood

The Oak Ridge Boys were the first country act to incorporate lighting effects and innovative staging into its concerts. Their 1979 trek with Kenny Rogers and Dottie Wast is considered to be country’s first arena tour. The Oaks were named both the CMA and ACM Vocal Group of the Year in 1978.

The four moved to MCA Records just in time for 1980’s chart-topping “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight.” The following year, The Oak Ridge Boys became top 10 pop stars with the Platinum-selling “Elvira.” It was named the CMA and ACM Single of the Year and won a Grammy Award.

Among the additional No. 1 country hits that followed were “Fancy Free” (1981), “Bobbie Sue” (1982), “I Guess It Never Hurts to Hurt Sometimes” (1984), “Touch a Hand, Make a Friend” (1985) and the Grammy nominated “Gonna Take a Lot of River” (1988).

“American Made” (1983) became a commercial jingle for Miller Beer. “When You Get to the Heart” 1986) was a collaboration with Barbara Mandrell. On “Broken Trust” (1980), the Oaks memorably harmonized behind Brenda Lee. The group’s rendition of “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration” (1990) was included on the movie soundtrack of My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.

Joe Bonsall. Photo: Jarret Gaza

Shooter Jennings promoted the group and arranged for the quartet to record The Boys Are Back as a comeback album in 2009. It contained their version of The White Stripes rock favorite “Seven Nation Army.” In 2013, The Oak Ridge Boys celebrated the 40th anniversary of their modern lineup with a special tour, a commemorative CD, an Oaks-themed cruise and a TV special.

In addition to his contributions to The Oak Ridge Boys, Bonsall became a prolific author. He wrote 11 books including his upcoming memoir I See Myself, which is scheduled for publication in November.

The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 2011. In 2000, the group was elected to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. The Country Music Hall of Fame followed suit in 2015.

Joe Bonsall announced in January that he was retiring from touring with the group. This was because he was suffering from the neuromuscular affliction Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Bonsall passed away at age 76 due to complications from the disease.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, daughters Jennifer and Sabrina, granddaughter Breanne, grandson Luke, two great grandsons, Chance and Grey, and a sister, Nancy. At Bonsall’s request, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The ALS Association or to the Vanderbilt Medical Center ALS and Neuroscience Research Center.

Song Poet Mark Germino Passes

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Mark Germino

Critically acclaimed Nashville folk-pop artist Mark Germino passed away Wednesday (July 3) at age 73.

During his career, Germino issued six albums and became a popular Nashville nightclub performer. Although he never wrote a hit single, his tunes were recorded by such Hall of Fame artists as Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. In 1986, he became the first Nashville artist to have an album issued on compact disc, as well as on vinyl and cassette.

Mark Germino was a native of North Carolina who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. While in the service, he was inspired to write poetry after hearing Johnny Cash on the radio. Writing became his therapy as he healed emotionally from his war experiences.

When he approached publishers, he was told that his poems read like song lyrics. Friends in his home state agreed and urged him to move to Nashville.

He arrived in Music City in 1974 and took up the guitar. He worked as a truck driver and courier while trying to make inroads on Music Row. He began performing in clubs in 1976 and quickly attracted the attention of his songwriting peers. Paul Craft issued Germino’s “Lean on Jesus (Before He Leans on You)” as s single in 1977. John Scott Sherrill took Germino to his publisher, Combine Music, in 1981.

Two years later, Loretta Lynn cracked the country top 40 with Germino’s “Breakin’ It.” In 1986, Kathy Mattea and Johnny Cash both recorded the songwriter’s “God Ain’t No Stained Glass Window.” Steve Earle performed Germino’s songs “Hardware” and “Rock & Roll at the USO” in his live shows.

Germino overcame initial onstage shyness to become a charming live performer, himself. His dry, drawling, conversational vocal style and lightly humorous, rumpled, offbeat personality delighted fans at his club appearances.

Talent scout Mary Martin caught one of Germino’s performances at The Bluebird Cafe. She convinced RCA’s New York office to sign him as a pop artist. The label sent him to London to record with Paul Samwell-Smith, noted for his work with such artists as Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, Jethro Tull and Paul Simon. This resulted in his debut album, 1986’s London Moon and Barnyard Remedies, which Germino described as “folk ’n’ roll.”

Critics praised him in the pages of Rolling Stone, Penthouse, Billboard and other publications. At the time, the compact disc was new technology, so Germino’s album also achieved some notoriety because of its release on CD. Although the album did well in Europe, it sold poorly in the U.S.

Germino tried again with 1987’s Caught In the Act of Being Ourselves, but RCA only issued it overseas. Stateside, Joe Sun, Sylvia, Bobby Bare, Claire Lynch, Vern Gosdin, John Anderson, The Seldom Scene, Mel McDaniel and a number of independent-label artists recorded his songs.

In 1991, Germino teamed up with the Nashville rock band The Sluggers for an album titled Radartown. It contained “Rex Bob Lowenstein,” which became one of his most popular songs at shows. It told the story of a radio DJ who is fired for playing music he loves, rather than what he is told to play. Burrito Deluxe recorded the song in 2004.

Germino returned to the studio to create 1995’s Rank and File, a folk music outing. It contained his second version of “Rex Bob Lowenstein.” He then put music aside to write three novels.

In the meantime, Confederate Railroad recorded his “Bill’s Laudromat, Bar and Grill,” and it became a single in 1995. Kenny Chesney issued Germino’s “I Will Stand” as a single in 1998. Vince Gill recorded their co-written “Ace Up Your Pretty Sleeve” in 2006. Emmylou Harris recorded “Broken Man’s Lament” in 2008. Kevin Welch, Buddy Mondlock, Barbara Mandrell, Mindy McCready and others included Germino songs on their albums.

The songwriter returned with an album titled Atomic Candlestick in 2006, this time billed as Mark Germino & The Grenade Angels. After another period of recording silence, he issued Midnight Carnival in 2021.

The singer-songwriter’s death was announced online by music journalist Brian Mansfield, as well as on Wikipedia. Funeral arrangements are unknown at press time.

Mary Martin, Veteran Artist Manager & A&R Executive, Passes

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Mary Martin. Photo: Kay Williams, courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Music industry veteran Mary Martin has passed away on Thursday night (July 4) at Alive Hospice. The news was posted on social media and shared by The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

“Time and again, Mary Martin spotted great talents and elevated their careers,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the CMHOFM. “Early on, she connected Bob Dylan to her friends the Hawks, who became the Band. She managed Leonard Cohen in his first musical outings, then guided the budding solo careers of Van Morrison, Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill. At Warner Bros., she signed future Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris, at RCA she helped sign and develop Clint Black and Lorrie Morgan, and she encouraged a young Keith Urban to move from Australia to Nashville. Mary’s unerring feel for songs and performers was legendary, and she was a fierce ally for the artists she represented.”

Born in 1939 in Toronto, Canada, Martin began her career in New York in 1962 as executive assistant to artist manager Albert Grossman, who guided the careers of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Peter, Paul & Mary and others. She went out on her own four years later, and managed the early career of Leonard Cohen and then Van Morrison.

In 1972, she joined Warner Bros. Records in New York, where she signed Emmylou Harris, Leon Redbone and The Marshall Tucker Band. Moving to Los Angeles at the end of the ’70s, she returned to artist management, working with Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill. She also gave production assistance to Crowell for artists he produced like Rosanne Cash, Sissy Spacek, Guy Clark and Albert Lee, and initiated the fan clubs and oversaw the creation of a successful merchandising venture for both artists during this time.

Martin moved to Nashville in 1985 and became Vice President of RCA Records, where she worked with Gill, Clint Black, Paul Overstreet, Aaron Tippin and Lorrie Morgan.

She became the Executive Director of ECO (Earth Communications Office) in 1991, overseeing fundraising and other activities for the nonprofit. She consulted with the A&R department of Asylum Records from ’94 – ’96 before joining Mercury Records as Vice President in 1999. Martin won a Grammy in 2002 for her work on the Hank Williams tribute album Timeless, which featured Dylan, Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, Tom Petty and others.

SOURCE inducted Martin into its Hall of Fame in 2007. She was honored at the Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum in 2009. Martin inspired generations of music industry professionals, especially women.

Memorial services have not yet been announced.

Rusty Golden, Songwriter & Son Of Oak Ridge Boys Member William Lee Golden, Passes

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Rusty Golden. Photo: Kris Rae

Rusty Golden, award-winning songwriter and musician and son of The Oak Ridge Boys member William Lee Golden, passed away on Monday (July 1) at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was 65.

Born William “Rusty” Golden on Jan. 3, 1959, in Brewton, Alabama, he is the eldest son of William Lee and Frogene Normand.

Music was ever-present in the Golden home, and young Rusty started sharing in the family passion at a young age. By the time he was 12, he was proficiently playing drums. A year later, at just 13, Rusty started playing drums for The Rambos featuring celebrated songwriter Dottie Rambo. He also showed a talent for songwriting at an early age, first putting his grandmother’s poems to music.

After attending an Elton John concert, a teenage Rusty was entranced by the piano. By age 17, he was good enough to play keys on the road with Larry Gatlin, and eventually started playing on studio sessions in Nashville. By age 20, Rusty was recording at Quadraphonic Studios for ABC Records.

He helped form The Boys Band, whose debut album for Elektra/Asylum Records included the single “Runner.” Another single, “Please Don’t Stop Me Baby,” landed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The group disbanded in ’84, the same year Rusty received a Gold plaque for his songwriting contributions on The Oaks’ Bobbie Sue album.

Encouraged by his success, Rusty and brother Chris Golden joined with Marc Speer to start the group Golden Speer in ’85. Although their album was never released, their label changed directions the next year, leading Rusty and Chris to record under the name The Goldens. The duo moved to Capitol/SBK Records and released the album Rush for Gold in 1990, containing three charting singles “Take Me Back to The Country,” “Keep The Faith” and “Long Gone.”

After undergoing a quadruple bypass, Rusty devoted his songwriting back to his gospel roots. This transition was rewarded with several No. 1 southern gospel hits and two Song of the Year awards for “What Salvation’s Done for Me” by The Booth Brothers and “I Want to Thank You” by Karen Peck & New River.

In 2020, Rusty joined brother Chris and dad William Lee to work on their family band, William Lee Golden and The Goldens. They recorded and released 34 songs from 2020 to 2021 and added brother Craig, nieces Elizabeth and Rebekah and nephew Elijah into the mix, making the group a three-generation family band.

Rusty was regarded as a charismatic entertainer in addition to an accomplished songwriter and musician. Last year he was awarded Keyboard Player of the Year by the Josie Music Awards.

Rusty Golden is preceded in death by his mother Frogene Normand, grandparents Luke and Rutha Mae Golden, and Elliot and Estelle Normand. He is survived by his father William Lee Golden (Simone), and brothers Craig Golden, Chris Golden (Marie) and Solomon Golden, along with many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

Funeral/memorial details are pending and will be made available at williamleegoldenandthegoldens.com and their Facebook page.

Country Iconoclast Kinky Friedman Dies

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Kinky Friedman. Photo: Brian Kanof

Kinky Friedman, noted for his satirical, comedy country songs, has died at age 79.

The flamboyant entertainer sang “They Ain’t Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore,” “Get Your Biscuits in the Oven and Your Buns in the Bed,” “Homo Erectus” and similarly outrageous, humorous fare. Although never an outstanding commercial success, he was widely known and critically acclaimed.

He was born Richard Friedman in Chicago, but was raised in Texas. After serving in the Peace Corps in Borneo, he devoted himself to a music career. In 1971, he formed his band The Texas Jewboys and attempted to crack the recording industry in Los Angeles. After failing there, he relocated to Nashville and was embraced by the city’s “outlaw” country crowd.

Chuck Glaser of The Glaser Brothers produced his debut LP, Sold American. Commander Cody took it to Vanguard Records, who issued it in 1973. The following year, Friedman signed with ABC Records to release his Kinky Friedman LP. Like its predecessor, it was a critical success but a commercial failure.

Friedman toured with Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue in 1975-76. Dubbing himself “The Kinkster,” he became a prominent fixture of the alt-country scene in Austin, Texas.

His third album was Lasso From El Paso, issued by Epic Records in 1976. Ringo Starr, Dr. John, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Roger McGuinn made guest appearances. The record underscored the fact that he was adept with heartfelt, melodic songs as well as the ribald comedy that made him famous. This was also borne out via “Marilyn and Joe,” “People Who Read People Magazine” and other tunes on his 1983 collection, Under the Double Ego. It was recorded in Austin and released on the city’s independent label, Sunrise Records.

He continued to make witty, newsworthy music, notably at his weekly residency at New York Lone Star Cafe in the 1980s. But beginning in 1986, he became an author, publishing a string of 18 successful mystery novels. He also had a long-running column in Texas Monthly.

Then he turned to politics, running unsuccessfully for Justice of the Peace as a Republican in Kerr County, Texas in 1986. Undeterred, he ran as an independent for Governor of Texas in 2006, calling for the legalization of gambling, marijuana and same-sex marriage. He also ran for State Agricultural Commissioner in 2010 and 2014.

Despite or because of being politically incorrect and wildly irreverent, Friedman became regarded as a cultural treasure in the Lone Star State. He toured with Billy Joe Shaver and issued more than a dozen albums over the next 30 years.

He and Nashville singer-songwriter Kacey Jones formed the Kinkajou Records label. She produced a 1998 tribute record on Kinkajou titled Pearls In the Snow: The Songs of Kinky Friedman. It featured Dwight Yoakam, Guy Clark, Delbert McClinton, Marty Stuart, Asleep at the Wheel, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Lee Roy Parnell, Billy Swan and others singing his best-known songs.

A second tribute record appeared in 2006. Titled Why the Hell Not: The Songs of Kinky Friedman, it was recorded by Austin music stars. Charlie Robison issued a single from the collection, “Wild Man From Borneo.”

In recent years, Friedman and his sister ran an animal shelter at their family’s Texas ranch, Echo Hill. They also turned the property into a summer camp for the children of parents who died serving in the military or as first responders.

Kinky Friedman passed away on June 27 at Echo Hill, which is outside Medina, Texas. He died of Parkinson’s Disease. He is survived by his sister Marcie Friedman and his brother Roger Friedman.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville, Texas, which is also handling funeral arrangements (728 Jefferson Street, Kerrville, TX 78028). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Echo Hill Gold Star Camp.

Hit Producer Joe Scaife Dies At Age 68

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Joe Scaife

Noted Nashville studio engineer and record producer Joe Scaife has passed away at age 68.

He was behind two of country music’s catchiest and biggest hits, “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus (1992) and “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson (2004). In addition, he produced Montgomery Gentry, Ty Herndon and K.T. Oslin. Scaife was also a songwriter, a percussionist and a backing vocalist.

Joe Scaife was raised in Nashville. His father was Cecil Scaife (1927-2009), a record executive at Sun, Columbia and his own labels. He also co-founded the Gospel Music Association. Joe attended Belmont University, then embarked on a career as an audio engineer.

At age 19, he worked on the sound engineering of the Opry’s last Ryman Auditorium performance and its debut at the Opry House the following night in 1974. He learned his trade by working at his father’s recording studio on Music Row. Early audio engineering clients included Dr. Hook, The Oak Ridge Boys and Vince Gill.

During the 1980s, Joe Scaife hit his stride as a recording-studio engineer. He worked on albums by John Anderson, Tom Jones, Kathy Mattea, Reba McEntire, Alabama, Glen Campbell, Lionel Richie, Emmylou Harris and Sawyer Brown, among others.

He formed a partnership with audio engineer Jim Cotton (1947-2003). They became mainstays at the Music Mill recording studio, usually working under producer Harold Shedd. After they engineered a number of Shedd’s productions, he promoted them to “associate producer” status on ‘80s Ladies, the landmark debut album by K.T. Oslin. They eventually graduated to become full producers on Oslin’s later successes, such as “Come Next Monday,” “Mary and Willie” and “New Way Home.”

In 1992, Scaife and Cotton produced Some Gave All, the debut album by Billy Ray Cyrus. It contained “Achy Breaky Heart” which won Scaife, Cotton and Cyrus a CMA Award for Single of the Year. They also produced “Could’ve Been Me,” “She’s Not Cryin’ Anymore,” “In the Heart of a Woman” and the singer’s other early hits.

During the 1990s, Joe Scaife also continued to work as a recording-studio engineer, working on albums by superstars such as Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Anne Murray, Crystal Gayle, Sammy Kershaw, Shania Twain and Toby Keith. But as the decade progressed, he became increasingly called upon to produce.

Scaife produced several hits by Montgomery Gentry, including 1999’s “Hillbilly Shoes,” “Lonely and Gone” and “Daddy Won’t Sell the Farm,” plus 2001’s “She Couldn’t Change Me” and “Cold One Comin’ On.” Montgomery Gentry was named the CMA’s Vocal Duo of the Year in 2000. During this era, Scaife also produced records by Ty Herndon, Jeff Foxworthy and Van Zant, among others.

In 2004, he was behind the board for the breakthrough albums by newcomer Gretchen Wilson. They contained “Redneck Woman,” “Here for the Party,” “When I Think About Cheatin,’” “Homewrecker” and “All Jacked Up.” These hits earned her CMA Awards as in the Horizon (2004) and Female Vocalist (2005) categories. “Redneck Woman” also won Wilson a Grammy Award.

Joe Scaife and his wife Danielle established four song publishing companies. One of their hit songs was 2017’s “She Got the Best of Me” sung by Luke Combs. Another was the 2017 Walker Hayes top 10 success “You Broke Up With Me.”

Shortly after Joe Scaife attended Belmont University, his father and his mother, Sherytha, encouraged the establishment of the school’s music-business program. That program is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The program has become The Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont. It now has a Cecil Scaife Endowed Scholarship to provide financial assistance to students there. Joe and his sisters LaRawn, LaQuita and LaQuela created the scholarship and The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award as an annual event to benefit the scholarship fund. Honorees have included Amy Grant, Wynonna, Ray Stevens and Brenda Lee.

Joe Scaife passed away on June 12. No cause of death has been announced. He is survived by his wife, Danielle Godwin Scaife; children, Jaela Scaife Harris (Prather) and Joe Tristan Payne Scaife; sister LaRawn Scaife Rhea (Richard) and many other family members and friends.

A private burial was held in Perry County on June 15, and a Celebration of Joe’s life will be held on Music Row at a later date. Those who wish to send a memorial in Joe Scaife’s honor can donate to The Cecil Scaife Music Business Endowment at Belmont University (P.O. Box 128079, Nashville, TN 37212).