Obituary Archives - Page 13 of 70

Former Grand Ole Opry Drummer Jerry Ray Johnston Passes

January 18, 2022/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Jerry Ray Johnston

Jerry Ray Johnston, a former staff drummer for the Grand Ole Opry, passed away on Jan. 9 in Franklin, Tennessee from complications with COVID pneumonia. He was 65.

Jerry is the father of The Cadillac Three frontman Jaren Johnston, and the father in law to ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston.

Jerry Ray Johnston was born in Monroe, Louisiana and moved to Nashville at 24 to pursue a career in music as a drummer. Over the span of 40 years, he played with numerous country stars, had a recording contract with Warner Bros. with the group Bandana, and eventually became the staff drummer at the Grand Ole Opry, which was his dream when he left Louisiana.

He was known for encouraging many other musicians to move to Nashville, then guiding them and introducing them to the network they needed to get gigs. Jerry also donated time to play drums at his church whenever needed.

Jerry Ray Johnston is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen Roark Johnston; children, Jaren Ray Johnston (Evyn) and Texa Rae Johnston; one grandson, Jude Daniel Johnston; brothers, Jody Lane Johnston (Judy), Randy McKnight (Diane) and Jimmy Johnston (Deborah); and special uncles Billy Johnston (Irene) and Clifford Johnston (Novis). Also mourning Jerry are four brothers-in-law, sister-in-law and their spouses; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Jimmy Johnston and Dorothy Johnston, and his grandparents, Clarence and Mae Johnston, who raised him from a small child.

Private services were held in West Monroe, Louisiana with Jerry’s brother-in-law officiating. A memorial service will be held in Tennessee in a few weeks.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MusiCares, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors Project, or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

Music Industry Veteran Jerry Crutchfield Passes

January 18, 2022/by Robert K Oermann

Jerry Crutchfield

Seven-decade Music Row veteran Jerry Crutchfield died on Jan. 11 at age 87.

Crutchfield had a multi-faceted career as a record producer, songwriter, label executive, vocalist and music publisher. He produced major hit country records for Tanya Tucker, Lee Greenwood, Tracy Byrd and many more. His gospel productions were nominated for Dove Awards. He ran MCA Publishing (now Universal) for 25 years. He headed Capitol Records’ Nashville office. He wrote several hit songs and sang backup for many Music City stars.

Born in Paducah, Kentucky in 1934, the future music executive cited his father’s big-band records as an early influence. In high school, he sang in teen doo-wop groups as well as gospel quartets. At age 18, he joined the Melody Masters gospel group in Princeton, Indiana. While attending Murray State College, he began making inroads in Nashville. He also worked as a local-radio disc jockey.

He and his brother Jan Crutchfield (1938-2012) were signed to RCA Records as members of the pop group The Country Gentlemen in 1956. The name led to confusion that they were a country act, so the billing was changed to The Escorts. Both brothers next embarked on careers as songwriters. Brother Jan’s catalog includes such country classics as “Statue of a Fool,” “Tear Time” and “It Turns Me Inside Out.”

Jerry Crutchfield’s songs were recorded by such country stars as George Jones, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams Jr., Eddy Arnold, Bobby Bare, Roy Rogers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Porter Wagoner, Faron Young, Tammy Wynette, Connie Smith and Hank Thompson. His hits included Bobby Bare’s “Find Out What’s Happening,” Wanda Jackson’s “Fancy Satin Pillows,” Dottie West’s “Every Word I Write” and Charley Pride’s “Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger.”

He also placed songs with such R&B stars as Irma Thomas, Slim Harpo, Dee Dee Warwick and Arthur Alexander. Pop stars Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley, Brenda Lee (“My Whole World Is Falling Down”) and Nick Lowe recorded Jerry Crutchfield’s tunes, too.

Both Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley hired him as a backup vocalist. During his early years on Music Row, Crutchfield sang on records by Hank Snow, Webb Pierce, Roger Miller, Jerry Reed, Bill Anderson, Hawkshaw Hawkins and more.

In 1962, he was hired to head the publishing division of Decca/MCA. Among the writers he nurtured there were Don Schlitz, Dave Loggins, Russell Smith, Gary Burr, Rob Crosby and Mark Nesler. Crutchfield took a break from MCA to serve as the head of Capitol Records in Nashville for four years in the 1980s, then returned to music publishing.

As a record producer, his big successes included Barbara Fairchild (“The Teddy Bear Song,” 1973), Dave Loggins (“Please Come to Boston,” 1974), Lee Greenwood (“God Bless the U.S.A.,” 1984), Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers (“Sure Feels Like Love,” 1982), Tracy Byrd (“The Keeper of the Stars,” 1995) and Tanya Tucker (more than 20 top-10 hits from 1986-94). Crutchfield has also produced Glen Campbell, Jody Miller, Chris LeDoux, Anne Murray, Ringo Starr, Sammy Kershaw, Shenandoah, Suzy Bogguss, Dan Seals, Cleve Francis, Brenda Lee, Delbert McClinton, Jason Ringenberg, Barbara Mandrell and Buck Owens, among others.

He also became prominent as a gospel producer. Crutchfield worked with The Hemphills, Doug Oldham, Cynthia Clawson and Terry Bradshaw in that genre.

In the 1990s, he began managing his own publishing companies, Crutchfield Music and Glitterfish Music. Tim McGraw, George Strait and Martina McBride are among the artists who recorded songs from these firms’ catalogs. Crutchfield also worked as a freelance producer for the next 20+ years.

This multi-talented Music Row figure produced Jimmy Dean’s nationally syndicated TV series in 1973-75. He wrote a series of children’s books, The Adventures of Dr. Raccoon. Crutchfield has served on the boards of the Country Music Association, the Gospel Music Association and the Nashville chapter of The Recording Academy. He was also a past national trustee of the Academy. There is a scholarship in his name at Murray State and an exhibit of his career memorabilia.

Jerry Crutchfield is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patsy, son Martin, daughter Christy Fields (husband James Fields), and three grandchildren, Adison, Chase, and Luke Fields.

A musical celebration of life will be announced and held at a later date.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in Jerry’s name may do so by donating via the American Federation of Musicians to either the Emergency Relief Fund or the Crisis Assistance Fund.

Songwriting Titan Dallas Frazier Dies

January 16, 2022/by Robert K Oermann

Dallas Frazier wins the 1982 Songwriter of the Year award from the readers of Music City News. Photo: Courtesy Robert K. Oermann

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dallas Frazier has passed away at age 82.

Regarded as one of the greatest country songwriters in history, Frazier’s classics include “There Goes My Everything,” “Beneath Still Waters,” “Elvira,” “Fourteen Carat Mind” and “All I Have to Offer You Is Me.” His songs helped make stars of Connie Smith and Charley Pride. More than a dozen members of the Country Music Hall of Fame recorded Frazier’s works. He was also a much admired recording artist.

He was born in Spiro, Oklahoma in 1939, but was raised in Bakersfield, California. Frazier recalled his early years as being characterized by labor camps and cotton fields. The boy was highly musical, teaching himself to play guitar, piano and other instruments. He was writing songs by age 12. That is when he was discovered by Ferlin Husky at a singing contest.

Frazier joined Husky’s road show as a juvenile attraction. This led to a 1954 recording contract with Husky’s label, Capitol Records. The youngster became a 1954-58 regular on the Los Angeles TV show Hometown Jamboree, where he was frequently paired with fellow teen performer Molly Bee. Frazier also worked regularly on Cousin Herb Henderson’s Trading Post TV series in Bakersfield. These gigs put the teenager in the company of Tommy Collins, Jean Shepard, Buck Owens, Wynn Stewart and the rest of the country entertainers who would form the bedrock of Bakersfield’s country community.

Dallas Frazier met and married his wife Sharon in 1958. They remained together throughout his subsequent triumphs and trials.

His youthful Capitol singles didn’t take off, but his songwriting did. Frazier’s pop novelty ditty “Alley Oop” became a No. 1 hit for The Hollywood Argyles in 1960. The group was a recording-studio concoction of Gary S. Paxton, Buddy Mize, Scotty Turner and others. Frazier briefly performed as a member of the touring Hollywood Argyles. “Alley Oop” was so popular that it was released in a competing version by Dante & The Evergreens which became a top-20 pop hit. An R&B outfit called The Dyna-Sores also charted with the tune in 1960.

Dallas Frazier. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Dallas and Sharon Frazier moved to Nashville in 1963. Husky again took the songwriter under his wing, signing him to his publishing company and recording “Timber I’m Falling” as Frazier’s first country hit in 1964.

The songwriter next signed with Acclaim Music, Jim Reeves’ song-publishing company. It was run by the singer’s former Blue Boys band member Ray Baker, who took Frazier’s “Mohair Sam” to Charlie Rich in 1965.

It became a pop hit. Frazier followed Baker to the latter’s Blue Crest Music, and this is where his long run of country songwriting successes ensued.

As a singer, Dallas Frazier re-signed with Capitol Records. He recorded two excellent, R&B flavored albums for the label, Elvira (1966) and Tell It Like It Is (1967). The title tune of the former appeared briefly on the pop charts in 1966, as did “Just a Little Bit of You.” The Capitol singles “Everybody Oughta Sing a Song,” “The Sunshine of My World” and “I Hope I Like Mexico Blues” were mid-sized country chart entries in 1968. Frazier also co-wrote and recorded 1969’s “The Conspiracy of Homer Jones” as a parody of “Ode to Billie Jo” and “Harper Valley P.T.A.”

Meanwhile, his songs scored big on the country charts for others. “Baby Ain’t That Fine” became a 1966 hit duet for Gene Pitney & Melba Montgomery. Jack Greene recorded Frazier’s “There Goes My Everything” in 1966. It remained at No. 1 for seven weeks and was named the CMA Song of the Year. The song received a second boost in popularity when Elvis Presley hit with it again five years later.

Also in 1966, Connie Smith hit with Frazier’s “Ain’t Had No Lovin’” and George Jones scored with “I’m a People.” Both artists showed their appreciation and admiration by recording entire albums of Dallas Frazier songs, Jones in 1968 and Smith in 1972.

George Jones returned to the songwriter’s catalog with 1967’s “If My Heart Had Windows, which Frazier wrote for his wife Sharon, plus “I Can’t Get There From Here” (1967), “Say It’s Not You” (1968), “Beneath Still Waters” (1968) and “Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong” (1970). Connie Smith encored with Frazier’s “Run Away Little Tears” (1968), “Where Is My Castle” (1971), “I’m Sorry If My Love Got in Your Way” (1971), “Just for What I Am” (1972), “If It Ain’t Love (Let’s Leave It Alone)” (1972), “Dream Painter” (1973) and “Ain’t Love a Good Thing” (1973). Smith has recorded 68 Dallas Frazier songs, more than anyone

Frazier’s songs also aided the ascent of Charley Pride. “All I Have to Offer You Is Me” (1969), “I’m So Afraid of Losing You Again” (1969), “I Can’t Believe That You’ve Stopped Loving Me” (1970) and “Then Who Am I” (1974) all became No. 1 hits for the singer.

Jack Greene resumed recording Frazier songs with “Back in the Arms of Love” (1969),“Until My Dreams Come True” (1969) and “Lord Is That Me” (1970). Brenda Lee’s transition from pop stardom to country hit maker was aided by Frazier’s “Johnny One Time” (1969) and “If This Is Our Last Time” (1971).

The songwriter’s string of country successes also continued with Charlie Louvin’s “Will You Visit Me on Sundays” (1968), Jerry Lee Lewis’s “Touching Home” (1971), Ferlin Husky’s “White Fences and Evergreen Trees” (1968), Elvis Presley’s “Where Did They Go Lord” (1971), Nat Stuckey’s “She Wakes Me With a Kiss Every Morning” (1971), Johnny Russell’s “The Baptism of Jesse Taylor” (1974), Roy Head’s “The Door I Used to Close” (1976), Moe Bandy’s “Does Anyone Make Love at Home Anymore” (1976), Tanya Tucker’s “What’s Your Mama’s Name” (1973) and Stoney Edwards’ “Hank and Lefty Raised My Country Soul” (1974). He also scored a pop success as the writer of O.C. Smith’s 1968 hit “The Son of Hickory Hollow’s Tramp.”

Dallas Frazier returned to record making with a pair of country albums for RCA, 1970’s Singing My Songs and 1971’s My Baby Packed Up My Mind and Left Me. Both were co-produced by Chet Atkins. In 1969-72, Dallas Frazier made the country charts with such RCA singles as “California Cotton Fields,” “The Birthmark Henry Thompson Talks About,” “Big Mable Murphy” and “North Carolina.”

It is a measure of how gifted and prolific he was that Dallas Frazier was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1976 when he was only 36 years old.

In the late 1970s, Johnny Russell revived “The Son of Hickory Hollow’s Tramp” and Rodney Crowell brought back “Elvira.” These revivals of Dallas Frazier classics continued in the 1980s with Emmylou Harris singing “Beneath Still Waters” (1980), The Whites doing a harmony treatment of “If It Ain’t Love (Let’s Leave It Alone)” (1985) and Patty Loveless scoring a hit with “If My Heart Had Windows” (1988).

Biggest of all was The Oak Ridge Boys revival of “Elvira” in 1981. It crossed over to the pop charts, earned a Platinum Record, won a Grammy Award, was the CMA Single of the Year and became the group’s signature song. Also in 1981, Gene Watson hit No. 1 on the country hit parade with Dallas Frazier’s “Fourteen Carat Mind.”

Among the hundreds who recorded his songs were Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Dottie West, Bobby Bare, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams Jr., Vince Gill, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Ricky Skaggs, Don Gibson, Bill Anderson, Conway Twitty, Kitty Wells, Glen Campbell, Peggy Lee, Englebert Humperdinck, Tom Jones, Keith Richards, Kenny Rogers, Ray Price, Patti Page, Anne Murray, Hank Snow, Webb Pierce, Eddy Arnold, Percy Sledge, Nick Lowe, Manfred Mann, Quincy Jones, Bobby Rydell, Mickey Gilley, The Statler Brothers, Slim Harpo, The Beach Boys and Sonny James.

“There Goes My Everything,” “All I Have to Offer You Is Me” and “Elvira” all earned Frazier Grammy nominations for Country Song of the Year.

Noted for his gentle nature and generosity, Frazier was notable as the mentor of fellow Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee A.L. “Doodle” Owens. His other collaborators included fellow Hall of Famers Whitey Shafer and Earl “Peanut” Montgomery.

Dallas Frazier became a heavy drinker. In the 1980s, he resolved to get his life back on track. He enrolled in Emmanuel Bible College in 1985-89. He quit the music business in 1988 to become a non-denominational minister, channeling his creative energies to write weekly sermons instead of songs.

Throughout the 1990s, he declined almost all overtures to rejoin the Nashville music community. One exception was when he agreed to take part in the Recording Academy’s 1999 documentary Nashville Songwriter, which inaugurated the organization’s oral history program.

About five years later, he began feeling the urge to write again. Sharon Frazier persuaded her husband to appear at a Songwriter Session at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006. This inspired the museum to launch its “Poets & Prophets” series the following spring.

Frazier stepped down at his church and began writing songs again in 2007. He returned to the Hall of Fame to take part in its multi-media “Poets & Prophets” series in 2010. Two years later, he marketed a new album, Dallas Frazier: Writing and Singing Again.

Director Scott McDaniel created Elvira: The True Story of Dallas Frazier, and the documentary debuted at the Franklin Theater in 2020. The movie continues to screen at film festivals.

The family announced Dallas Frazier’s death on Facebook on Friday, Jan. 14. He passed following several months of declining health. Since last August, he had suffered two strokes.

Frazier is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sharon Carpani Frazier; daughters, Robin Proetta, Melody Morris and Alison Thompson; four grandchildren; one great-grandson; and a sister, Judy Shults.

The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20 at the chapel of Alexander Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 584 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN. Visitation will be Wednesday, Jan. 19 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 20 from 10:00 a.m. until time of service. Online condolences may be submitted at alexandergallatin.com. Frazier requested that donations be made to the Nashville Rescue Mission in lieu of flowers.

“Dean Of Country Broadcasters” Ralph Emery Passes

January 15, 2022/by Robert K Oermann

Ralph Emery. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Country Music Hall of Fame member Ralph Emery died on Saturday, Jan. 15 at age 88.

He was country music’s leading broadcaster for more than 50 years, first on radio and then as the genre’s ambassador on national cable television. Emery was also a recording artist, a presence in syndicated TV and the author of several books. His relaxed, avuncular style made country stars comfortable as they experienced their first mass-media exposure.

Walter Ralph Emery was born in McEwen, TN in 1933. He was a rather lonely and sad youngster. His alcoholic father and mentally unstable mother led to him being partly raIsed by his farmer grandparents. The introverted boy found solace in listening to the radio and became intrigued with the idea of making it his profession.

Ralph Emery. Photo: Mercury Records

Following a move to Nashville in 1940, he graduated from East High and enrolled in the Tennessee School of Broadcasting. Emery’s teacher was the legendary R&B deejay John Richbourg, who was famed on WLAC as “John R.” Emery was taught proper diction, learned to read the news, modulated his voice and lost his rural accent. John R recommended him for a 1951 job in Paris, TN on WTPR. Emery then returned to Nashville for a stint at WNAH, then one at nearby Franklin’s WAGG. That station is where he learned to interview country celebrities such as Del Wood and Webb Pierce.

Next, he landed a job back home in Nashville at WSIX in late 1953. He did sports announcing for live wrestling broadcasts and emceed a pop-music show by Pat Boone. This led to an offer from WLCS in Baton Rouge, LA in 1956. He only lasted a month there before returning to the Nashville airways on WMAK, a pop-music broadcaster. He was fired by that station. Luckily, he landed a job at WSM in 1957, which paved the way to his national fame.

The station put him on the air on its all-night shift at $90 a week. During the next 15 years, Emery transformed the overnight show. He invited artists to visit the program and encouraged them to bring guitars or to sing playing the station’s piano. Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Tex Ritter, Jim Reeves, Loretta Lynn and many other top stars stopped by to chat because of his open-door policy. His easy-going interview style made him an audience favorite, and WSM’s clear-channel, 50,000-watt power meant that the night owl was heard in 38 states nightly. By the time he signed off in 1972, the all-night show was known as “Opry Star Spotlight.”

He was also an announcer on the station’s iconic Grand Ole Opry in 1961-64. Emery’s second wife was Opry star Skeeter Davis, to whom he was married in 1960-64.

His popularity as a broadcaster led to an offer to record for Liberty Records. Emery made an “answer record” to Faron Young’s “Hello Walls” (written by Willie Nelson), and his “Hello Fool” became a top-10 hit in 1961. He also recorded for Mercury, ABC-Paramount, Elektra and other labels, but never made the charts again.

He next made the move to television. Between 1963 and 1991, Emery hosted WSMV-TV’s local, early-morning broadcast. It was named The Ralph Emery Show in 1972. The weekday program featured one of live local television’s only surviving studio bands and was notable for giving breaks to up-and-coming artists such as The Judds, Randy Travis and Lorrie Morgan. For a time in the 1970s and 1980s, it was the highest-rated local morning television show in the U.S.

He also had an afternoon program, Sixteenth Avenue, in 1966-69. He was featured in the movies Country Music on Broadway (1965), Nashville Rebel (1966), Girl From Tobacco Road (1966) and The Road to Nashville (1967).

The pace was grueling. Daily all-night radio, early-morning TV, syndicated-show tapings and announcing work resulted in an addiction to amphetamines. Emery overcame this as his national profile rose.

He launched a syndicated radio show titled “Take Five for Country Music” then “Goody’s Presents Ralph Emery.” This was carried by 425+ stations in 1986-91. Radio syndication led to syndicated television. He hosted Pop Goes the Country in TV syndication in 1973-79. In 1976, he was the announcer for Dolly Parton’s syndicated seres.

When cable television emerged in the early 1980s, Ralph Emery jumped on board. His first show was Nashville Alive, which aired on Ted Turner’s TBS channel in 1981-83. Beginning in 1983, Emery hosted Nashville Now on TNN. It brought him the biggest national audience of his long career. As the flagship show of the network, it attracted a who’s-who of country stardom to Emery’s TV stage and desk. In 1986, he was voted America’s Favorite Cable TV Personality by the readers of Cable Guide magazine.

Photos of Ralph Emery vary widely, depending on the decade. Always insecure about his looks, Emery underwent cosmetic jaw/dental procedures, face lifts and hair transplants. He discussed these candidly in his best-seller 1991 autobiography, as well as several of his private problems.

Fame and popularity from his nightly Nashville Now shows led him to reactivate his recording career in 1989. Emery signed with RCA and issued Songs for Children and Christmas With Ralph & Red. These were in conjunction with Steve Hall’s puppet Shotgun Red, who’d become a regular on Nashville Now.

Ralph Emery was elected to the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1989. The following year, Barbara Mandrell organized an all-star salute to Emery featuring 70 top country stars.

In 1991, he published Memories: The Autobiography of Ralph Emery. The book spent 25 weeks on the New York Times “Bestseller” list. He followed it with More Memories (1993), The View From Nashville (1998) and 50 Years Down a Country Road (2000). The books were cowritten, the first two with Tom Carter and the last two with Patsi Bale Cox.

Emery left Nashville Now in 1993, but continued to host specials on TNN. He returned full time to cable TV with Ralph Emery Live on RFD-TV in 2007. By the time that show ended in 2015, it was titled Ralph Emery’s Memories.

Known as, “The Dean of Country Music Broadcasters,” Ralph Emery was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. He became a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2010.

Ralph Emery is survived by his wife Joy Emery; sons, Steve, Matthew and Ralph Jr.; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Manager, Agent & Promoter Randy Jackson Passes

January 5, 2022/by Lorie Hollabaugh

Pictured (L-R): Randy Jackson & Glen Campbell. Photo: Courtesy of Absolute Publicity

Longtime Nashville & Texas music manager, agent and promoter Randy Jackson passed away on Dec. 21 in Alpine, Texas. He was 75.

Jackson began his career as a talent agent for the Hubert Long Agency and later worked with Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty until becoming the road manager for Johnny Rodriguez.

Pictured (L-R): Earl Campbell, Randy Jackson, and Charley Pride. Photo: Courtesy of Matt Stevens

He went on to work as an agent for Charley Pride at the Chardon Agency in Dallas. While there, Jackson discovered new talents including Neal McCoy and Janie Fricke. Jackson went on to manage Fricke and they eventually married.

He later married Sherry Jackson, and returned to his college alma mater, Sul Ross University in Alpine, where he and Sherry tutored the football athletes while supporting the Lobos football team.

Throughout his career, Jackson produced and promoted concerts throughout Florida and Texas. Jackson’s final concert was only three days before he passed as Asleep at the Wheel played a sold out show at the Cailloux Theater in Kerrville, Texas.

Memorial arrangements have not been shared at this time.

Big Daddy Weave’s Jay Weaver Passes Away Due To COVID-19 Complications

January 3, 2022/by Lydia Farthing

Jay Weaver. Photo: Matt Le

Jay Weaver, bass player and vocalist for the Curb Records Christian band Big Daddy Weave, has died from complications due to COVID-19. He was 42.

Jay was hospitalized in late December due to complications from COVID, according to an Instagram post from Big Daddy Weave. However, his health issues first arose in 2016 when both of his feet were amputated in an effort to save his life from an infection. In August 2020, he also shared that he was undergoing dialysis to help with kidney function.

“Our Big Daddy Weave brother Jay Weaver went to be with the Lord on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 2, after a battle with COVID-19,” the band shares. “We are devastated by this loss and are trusting the Lord to guide us through this difficult time. All of your thoughts, prayers, and support have been and continue to be deeply appreciated.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Big Daddy Weave (@bdwmusic)

Jay’s brother, Mike Weaver, frontman of the band, announced the news on Sunday (Jan. 2) through social media, saying: “My brother Jay went to be with Jesus just a couple hours ago.” He continued, “You’ve seen him walk the uphill battle and you guys helped carry him through so much. The Lord used him in such a mighty way out on the road for so many years. Anybody who’s come in contact with him knows how real his faith in Jesus was. Even though COVID took his last breath, Jesus was right there to catch him.”

According to The Tennessean, Jay Weaver is survived by his wife, Emily Weaver, and three children, Makenzie, Madison and Nathan Weaver. No memorial arrangements have been announced at this time.

Formed in 1998, Big Daddy Weave has achieved multiple No. 1 singles, including “I Know,” “Alive,” “Love Come To Life,” “Redeemed,” “The Only Name (Yours Will Be),” “Overwhelmed” and “My Story.” The Platinum-certified “Redeemed” spent 11 weeks at No. 1, was dubbed Song of the Year at the first annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, and earned Dove Award and Billboard Music Award nominations. The band’s catalog has over 471 million career on-demand streams.

Nashville Music Publishing Veteran, Drew Alexander, Dies At 52

January 3, 2022/by Lydia Farthing

Andrew “Drew” Alexander

Andrew “Drew” Alexander, a veteran music publisher and the son of former U.S. Senator and Tennessee Governor Lamar Alexander and Leslee “Honey” Alexander, died Friday (Dec. 31) after a short illness. He was 52.

Alexander was born in Washington, D.C. in 1969 and soon moved with his family to Nashville, where his father practiced law and established his political career.

He attended Ensworth School and graduated from the University School of Nashville before attending Kenyon College in Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

In 1994 he joined Nashville’s Curb Records as a receptionist, eventually rising to lead the company’s publishing department where he oversaw the division’s employees and songwriters. Alexander also directed creative and administrative aspects of the company by setting budgets, signing songwriters, negotiating contracts, placing songs, and acquiring catalogs. He became Vice President of Publishing in 2010.

During his tenure, Curb Music Publishing earned 87 ASCAP, BMI and SESAC performance awards, and set records for the fastest rising country single and the longest charting country single in Billboard Country chart history at the time.

In 2017, after 23 years with the company, Alexander stepped down from his role at Curb Music Publishing but continued working with the Mike Curb Foundation. He founded his own company, Blair Branch Music, and became an active community volunteer working with numerous Nashville agencies, including Second Harvest Food Bank, Nashville Rescue Mission, Music Health Alliance, and Room at the Inn.

Alexander served on the boards of The Recording Academy, Belmont School of Music, Family and Children’s Service, the Community Resource Center, Leadership Music as Treasurer, and the Tennessee Residence Foundation as Secretary. He was a member of the Country Music Association, the Gospel Music Association, Academy of Country Music, and the Downtown Nashville Rotary Club.

Over the years Alexander also hosted small groups of songwriters and artists, including Lee Brice, Bill Anderson, Kyle Jacobs, Billy Montana, Kelsea Ballerini and many others, at writing retreats at his family’s home at Blackberry Farm, at Evins Mill in Middle Tennessee, and at Bending Lake in Canada. From these dozens of sessions, more than 1,000 songs were produced including many hits.

Alexander is survived by two daughters, Lauren Blair Alexander and Helen Victoria Alexander; his parents, Honey and Lamar Alexander; two sisters, Leslee Alexander and Kathryn Alexander; his brother, Will Alexander; and, seven nieces and nephews.

There will be a private graveside service for family members at the family cemetery at Hesse Creek Chapel in Walland, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. A Celebration of Life in Nashville will be held at a later date.

Penny Jackson Ragsdale, Wife Of Ray Stevens, Passes Away At 78

January 3, 2022/by Lydia Farthing

Pictured (L-R): Penny Jackson Ragsdale, Ray Stevens. Photo: Jason Kempin

Penny Jackson Ragsdale, wife of Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Stevens, has passed away following a prolonged battle with cancer. Ragsdale died at her Nashville home on Dec. 31 the age of 78.

Ragsdale is survived by Stevens, her husband of more than 60 years; two daughters, Timi and Suzi; four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Ragsdale’s memorial service will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home (9090 Hwy 100, Nashville, 37221). A visitation will take place at 1:30 p.m. with a service to follow at 2:30 p.m.

12x nominated and two-time Grammy award winner Ray Stevens has produced 60 years of comedic musical content, including his multi-million selling hit “The Streak” and pop standard “Everything Is Beautiful.” Throughout his career, Stevens has sold more than 40 million albums, and opened his own Nashville entertainment venue, the CabaRay Showroom, in 2018. He is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, has a star on the Music City Walk of Fame.

Bluegrass Great J.D. Crowe Passes

December 29, 2021/by Robert K Oermann

J.D. Crowe (pictured third from left) and the New South. Photo: Rounder Records

Grammy Award winning Bluegrass Hall of Fame member J.D. Crowe died Friday (Dec. 24) in Lexington, KY at age 84.

Noted as one of the genre’s greatest banjo stylists, Crowe led The New South, a band that fostered the careers of such future stars as Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice and Keith Whitley. He also played with fellow Bluegrass Hall of Fame members Doyle Lawson, Mac Wiseman, Vassar Clements and Jimmy Martin.

James Dee “J.D.” Crowe was born in Lexington in 1937. At age 12, he heard Earl Scruggs on the radio and was inspired to take up the banjo. He loved rock ’n’ roll and blues sounds, but dreamed of playing with country stars.

Jimmy Martin heard Crowe playing on local radio when he passed through Lexington. He persuaded the teenagers’ parents to let him spend the summer vacation of 1954 performing in Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys. Mac Wiseman took Crowe under his wing the following summer.

After high-school graduation in 1956, Crowe joined Martin’s troupe full time. This edition of the Sunny Mountain Boys achieved stardom on KWKH’s Louisiana Hayride and WWVA’s Wheeling Jamboree. It also recorded many of the Jimmy Martin classics released on Decca Records — “Oceans of Diamonds,” “Sophronie,” “Rock Hearts” and the like.

Crowe left the group in 1961, returned to Lexington and formed his own Kentucky Mountain Boys. This band included Doyle Lawson, Bobby Slone, Larry Rice and Red Allen and recorded the 1969 album Bluegrass Holiday.

Larry’s brother Tony Rice joined on guitar and the group was renamed The New South in 1972. This band was innovative, because Crowe incorporated folk, pop and country elements into its bluegrass sound. Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas and Tony Rice were all in The New South when it recorded the legendary Rounder Records LP J.D. Crowe & The New South in 1975

Crowe’s driving rhythms, tasteful licks and flawless tone on banjo remained hallmarks of the band for more than 30 years. He was also a pitch-perfect baritone harmony vocalist. His years of training with Jimmy Martin made him a master of timing and a renowned mentor. Among those who passed through the New South were such bluegrass greats as Jimmy Gaudreau, Harley Allen, Tony King and future Diamond Rio member Gene Johnson.

Keith Whitley joined the group in 1978. Crowe reoriented the band’s style to a more hardcore country sound to accommodate Whitley’s masterful honky-tonk voice. Crowe showcased the young singer on the albums My Home Ain’t in the Hall of Fame (1979) and Somewhere Between (1982). Both albums included steel guitar, electric bass and drums to augment The New South’s bluegrass instrumentation.

While maintaining his own band’s progressive approach, J.D. Crowe joined the traditional bluegrass side project The Bluegrass Album Band alongside Lawson, Douglas, Rice, Vassar Clements, Bobby Hicks, Todd Phillips and Mark Schatz. This “supergroup” was mainly a recording ensemble, rather than a touring one. The Bluegrass Album Band issued six albums between 1980 and 1996. Meanwhile, Crowe continued to tour and record with The New South.

J.D. Crowe was named Banjo Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 1971, 1994 and 2004. He won a Grammy Award in 1983 for his instrumental “Fireball.”

Crowe was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2003. The New South album Lefty’s Old Guitar won the IBMA’s Album of the Year award in 2007.

In recent years, J.D. Crowe had been suffering from COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was hospitalized last week, but was hoping to return home for Christmas.

J.D. Crowe is survived by his wife Sheryl Moore Crowe; children, James David Crowe and Stacey Crowe; and granddaughter Kylee Crowe.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 29th, from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Jessamine Christian Church (130 Courchelle Dr, Nicholasville, KY 40356). A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 30th at 1:00 PM at the same location.

Nashville-Related Music Obituaries 2021

December 23, 2021/by Robert K Oermann

“Go rest high on that mountain” we sing in Vince Gill’s enduring funeral anthem, and that’s the sentiment for those we lost in 2021.

The Country Music Hall of Fame lost Tom T. Hall and Don Everly. Both of them are members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, which was also hit by obituaries for Jim Weatherly, Charlie Black and DeWayne Blackwell.

Among those departing are Bluegrass Hall of Fame members Sonny Osborne and Bill Emerson. The span of our losses is illustrated by the farewells we said to the Station Inn’s JT Gray, country-outlaw producer/drummer Richie Albright, Nashville pop/rock visionary Robb Earls, Americana honoree Nanci Griffith, Mexican ranchera music superstar Vincent Fernandez and country-rock pioneer plus video trail blazer Michael Nesmith.

As was the case last year (John Prine, Joe Diffie, Bill Pursell, Charley Pride, Bill Mack, etc.), the COVID pandemic claimed the lives of a number of our colleagues in 2021 — Larry Willoughby, Gene Kennedy, Ed Pearl, Jim Hall, Jeff Lisenby, Kenny Malone and more.

We give thanks for hits that Stonewall Jackson, B.J. Thomas, Jamie O’Hara, Misty Morgan and Ed Bruce sang for us. And we smile at our memories of such great personalities and contributors as Connie Bradley, Bob Moore, Bill Owens, Ron Cornelius and Ken Kragen.

We miss all of them as we offer our annual “hail and farewell” list.

MISTY MORGAN, 75, died Jan. 1.
Singer-keyboardist. Half of 1970s country hit making duo Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan. Hit No. 1 with Grammy-nominated “Tennessee Bird Walk” 1970. Follow-up “Humphrey the Camel” (1970) also a top-10 hit. Fifteen charted singles & seven top-40 successes, including “Somewhere In Virginia in the Rain” (1972), “There Must Be More to Life (Than Growing Old)” (1971), “You’ve Got Your Troubles (I’ve Got Mine)” (1970) and “Just One More Song” (1974). Two charted LPs, Birds of a Feather (1971), Two Sides of Jack & Misty (1972). She and Jack co-produced everything, making her a trailblazing female record producer in Music City. She was also duo’s musical arranger. Recorded for Mercury/Wayside, Mega, Chalice, Epic, United Artists, Playback, Stardust, Omni and own Velvet Saw label. Issued 15 albums and 40+ singles. Later formed jazz trio with her on piano, Blanchard on bass & a hired drummer. Former solo career as “Jacqueline Hyde” & “Maryann Mail.” (real name: Mary Donahue Blanchard).

STAN BEAVER, 71, died Jan. 2.
Rockabilly Hall of Fame member. Cult favorite 1963’s “I Got a Rocket in My Pocket.” Sound engineer for Emmylou, Righteous Brothers, Carl Perkins, Ray Charles, etc. Former staff engineer at Tom T. Hall’s Toybox Studio. Own TV show, recording studio, record label in Chattanooga.

JEFF LISENBY, 65, died Jan. 6.
Nashville accordionist/keyboard player with experience as director of cruise-ship shows, arranger, composer, music educator, Broadway, Opryland, etc. Performed & recorded with John England & The Western Swingers. On Grammy winning CD Songs From the Neighborhood: The Songs of Mister Rogers (2005). Solo album Walkin’ the Winter Wonderland (2013). Scholarship at Lipscomb University in his name. COVID pandemic victim.

TONY FARR, 84, died Jan. 6.
Steel guitarist/singer. Toured with Jeannie C. Riley, Tommy Overstreet, Jerry Wallace, Claude Gray, George Kent, others. Performer on Big D Jamboree in Dallas. Five solo albums. Member of The Swinging Guitars. (real name: Anthony Joseph Fardella III).

BILL RUNKLE, 82, died Jan. 7.
Banjo player noted for tenure in Del McCoury’s Dixie Pals (1970-78), plus stints with Bob Paisley & Southern Grass, Square Deal. Own band Smith Hollow with LP Lonely Tonight. Hosted bluegrass radio show in Pennsylvania for 25 years. Refurbished tour buses for musicians. (full name: William Harvey Runkle).

JAMIE O’HARA, 70, died Jan. 7.
Grammy-winning country songwriter. Recording artist in 1980s duo The O’Kanes. Team’s hits “Oh Darlin’” (1986), “Can’t Stop My Heart From Loving You” (No. 1, 1987) and 1978-88 successes “Daddies Need to Grow Up Too,” “Just Lovin’ You,” “One True Love,” “Blue Love” all collaborations with Kieran Kane. Highly successful songwriter for others. Grammy Country Song of Year for “Grandpa (Tell Me Bout the Good Old Days)” (Judds, 1986). Also wrote “Wandering Eyes” (Ronnie McDowell, 1981), “Older Women” (McDowell, 1981), “Talkin’ to Myself to Again” (Tammy, 1987), “Desperately” (Don Williams, 1988), “You’ve Got to Talk to Me” (Lee Ann Womack, 1997), “The Cold Hard Truth” (George Jones, 2000), “When Love Starts Talkin’” (Wynonna, 1997), “When We’re Gone Long Gone” (Lnda/Dolly/Emmylou, 1999), “Man To Man” (Gary Allan, No. 1, 2001). Also notable for farm-crisis song “Bidding America Goodbye” (Tanya, 1987) and own record/video of Vietnam War elegy “50,000 Names” (1994). Songs recorded by many—Conlee, T.G., Conway, Johnny Lee, Yearwood, Chicks, Randy Travis, Emmylou, McGraw, Sara Evans, Oaks, Pam, Josh Turner, Janie Fricke, Mel McDaniel, Shelby Lynne, Mattea, Wopat, Dave & Sugar and several bluegrass acts. Three O’Kanes albums (1987-1990), three solo albums (1994-2012).

ED BRUCE, 81, died Jan. 8.
Country singer-songwriter. Wrote hits “See the Big Man Cry” (Charlie Louvin, 1965), “The Man That Turned My Mama On” (Tanya, 1974), “Restless” (Crystal, 1974), “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” (Waylon & Willie, 1978), “Texas (When I Die) (Tanya, 1979). Also wrote own hits “The Last Cowboy Song” (with Willie, 1980), “Girls Women and Ladies (1981), “Everything’s a Waltz” (1981), “Love’s Found You and Me” (1982), “Ever Never Loving You” (1982), “My First Taste of Texas” (1983), “After All” (1984). In all, charted 35 titles as singer, including other songwriters’ works: “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had (No. 1, 1982), “If It Was Easy” (1983), “You Turn Me On (Like a Radio)” (1985), “When Givin’ Up Was Easy” (1985), “If It Ain’t Love” (1985), “Nights” (1986). Actor in TV commercials, network series Bret Maverick, film Fire Down Below, several TV movies. Hosted cable-TV series Truckin USA, American Sports Cavalcade. Portrayed televised state spokesman “The Tennessean.” Voice in many radio ads. Former background singer in Marijohn Wilkin’s vocal group. Began career on Sun Records as “Edwin Bruce.”

RED CRAVENS, 88, died Jan. 11.
Guitarist/singer in bluegrass band The Bray Brothers & Red Cravens. LP The Blue Grass Gentlemen 1962 (Liberty Records). House band at Bill Monroe’s Brown County Jamboree 1960-63. Weekly radio show on WHOW Clinton, IL with tapes reissued on Rounder Records. (full name: Robert Neal Cravens)

JOHN SPENCER, 60, died Jan. 11.
President & co-founder of BMS Chace & VEVA Sound firms preserving & archiving audio & video. Company serves all major labels in Nashville & hundreds of artists. Active in Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing, working on its national metadata project. to standardize audio delivery files.

JIMMY COX, 87, died Jan. 11.
Known as “a banjo maker’s maker.” A key figure in popularizing bluegrass music in Maine.

TOM STARR, 56, died Jan. 12.
Warner Records promotion exec. Important in rise of Dan + Shay, Chris Janson, Ashley McBryde, Zac Brown Band, Frankie Ballard & more. Formerly in pop at Interscope, EMI/Capitol, Jive, MCA, Elektra.

DON TUCKER, 76, died Jan. 12.
Former road manager for sister Tanya Tucker.

LARRY WILLOUGHBY, 70, died Jan. 14.
VP of A&R for Capitol Nashville instrumental in signing and/or developing Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, others. Previously membership exec at ASCAP and A&R exec at MCA. Originally Guy Clark band member who graduated to recording solo for Atlantic 1983-84. Self-penned singles from LP later successful for Eddy Raven (1985’s “Operator Operator”) and Brooks & Dunn (2006’s “Building Bridges” with Sheryl Crow & Vince Gill, ACM Vocal Event of Year). Songs also recorded by Waylon, Amazing Rhythm Aces, Oaks, Nicolette Larson, Big House and his cousin, Rodney Crowell. A COVID pandemic victim.

JASON “ROWDY” COPE, 42, died Jan. 16.
Co-founder of Nashville-based Southern-rock band The Steel Woods. Group’s albums Straw in the Wind (2017), Old News (2019). Formerly decade-long guitarist for Jamey Johnson on road and on CDs That Lonesome Song (2008), The Guitar Song (2010). Co-wrote Johnson’s “Can’t Cash My Checks.” Session guitarist for Secret Sisters, Lindi Ortega, Brent Cobb, etc.

RANDY PARTON, 67, died Jan. 21.
Singer-songwriter with RCA singles 1981-83, including top-30 hits “Hold Me Like You Never Had Me,” “Shot Full of Love.” The first to record “Roll On (18 Wheeler)” (1982), a No. 1 hit for Alabama two years later. Harmony vocalist with sister Dolly on 1980 No. 1 hit “Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle to You).” His songs recorded by Dolly, Stella Parton, others. Played guitar, bass in Dolly’s band. Starred at Dollywood in own show beginning 1986. Duet with Dolly (“You Are My Christmas”) on 2021 Grammy-nominated Xmas LP A Holly Dolly Christmas.

DENNIS GLASER, 92, died Jan. 21.
Georgia newspaper publisher/owner who moved to Nashville & worked in music biz for cousins Glaser Brothers plus Methodist Publishing House in 1970s. Author: Music City’s Defining Decade.

TOM STEVENS, 64, died Jan. 23.
Bass player member of alt-country band The Long Ryders. Nine CDs since 1983, including 2019’s Psychedelic Country Soul. Band influenced evolution of Americana movement.

JAMES WHITE, 81, died Jan. 24.
Founder of legendary Austin honky-tonk The Broken Spoke (1964). Venue appears in Willie movie Honeysuckle Rose (1980) & on jacket of Strait’s Honky Tonk Time Machine CD (2019). Documentary film Honky-Tonk Heaven: Legend of the Broken Spoke (2016).

COLLEEN BAIN TRENWORTH, 74, died Jan. 24.
Fiddler in New Zealand’s The Hamilton County Bluegrass Band since 1966. House band on NZ national TV show Country Touch, 15 albums. Backing band for Aussie county superstar Slim Dusty 1974-76.

BOB MITCHELL, 83, died Jan. 26.
Broadcaster with syndicated Best of Bluegrass radio show. Record reviewer for Bluegrass Now, Louisville Music News, Bluegrass Music Profiles, etc.

DOUG MOFFET, 60, died Jan. 27.
Sax & woodwind player in Nashville Jazz Orchestra. Member Muscle Shoals Horns. Sessions for Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Boots Randolph, Tony Bennett, LeAnn Rimes, Ben Folds, Amy Grant, Michael McDonald, Lady A, Faith Hill, Dan + Shay, Sheryl Crow, Jo-El Sonnier, Keith Urban, Bad Company, Buddy Guy, etc. Tours with Vince Gill, Larry Carlton, others.

RUEDI DETTWILER, 75, died Feb. 2.
First five-string bluegrass banjo player in Switzerland. Member The Country Pickers 1962-1992 & on its albums Happy Days (1986), East to West (1990). (full name: Rudolf “Hank” Dettwiler Gloor).

JIM WEATHERLY, 77, died Feb. 3.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member. Wrote Gladys Knight & Pips 1973-75 hits “Neither One of Us,” “Where Peaceful Waters Flow,” “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me,” “Love Finds Its Own Way,” “Midnight Train to Georgia” and 50 cuts by Ray Price, including hits “Storms of Troubled Times” (1974), “Like a First Time Thing” (1974), “Like Old Times Again” (1975), “Roses and Love Songs” (1975), “Farthest Thing From My Mind” (1975), “If You Ever Change Your Mind” (1975), “Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me” (1973). Also Bob Luman hits “Neither One of Us” (1973), “Just Enough to Make Me Stay” (1974). Other songwriting successes Bill Anderson’s “This Is a Love Song” (19790, Charley Pride’s “Where Do I Put Her Memory” (1979), Glen Campbell’s “A Lady Like You” (1984), Ed Bruce’s “You Turn Me On (Like a Radio)” (1984), Earl Thomas Conley & Gus Hardin’s “All Tangled Up in Love” (1984), Bryan White’s “Someone Else’s Star” (1995). Solo recording artist with No.11 pop hit “The Need to Be”(1974) plus country hits “I’ll Still Love You” (1975) & “All That Keeps Me Going” (1977). Solo albums Weatherly (RCA, 1972), A Gentler Time (RCA, 1973), Jim Weatherly (RCA, 1973), The Songs of Jim Weatherly (Buddah, 1974), Magnolias & Misfits (Buddah, 1975), The People Some People Choose to Love (ABC, 1976), Pictures & Rhymes (ABC, 1976) plus CDs for own Brizac label. Cuts by pop’s Delbert, Etta James, Manhattans, Dionne, Andy Williams, Joan Osborne, Neil Diamond, Temptations, Hall & Oates, Spinners, Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Peter Cetera, Aretha, Julie Andrews, Indigo Girls, Mathis, James Cleveland, Peggy Lee, Widespread Panic and country cuts by Kenny Rogers, Vince, Tanya, Mac Davis, Marie Osmond, B.J., Eddy Arnold, Lynn Anderson, Yearwood, Oaks, Reba, Johnny Lee, Greenwood, Brenda, Wariner, Chesney, Dottie, Goldsboro, Garth, Dan Seals, etc. Formerly in rock group Gordian Knott (Verve Records 1968). Quarterback at Ole Miss with national championship 1962 & SEC champs 1962, 1963. ASCAP Songwriter of Year 1974, national Songwriters Hall of Fame 2014. Autobiography Midnight Train 2018.

CLARENCE HALL, 87, died Feb. 4.
Virginia-based singer, songwriter, instrument maker. Bluegrass banjo player in Mayo River Boys, mainstays of WPAQ radio in Mount Airy, NC. In Dominion Bluegrass Boys for LPs on Grassound, Rebel.

BRIAN TANKERSLEY, 64, died Feb. 5.
Nashville engineer/producer, noted particularly for work with CCM artists Kim Boyce, NewSong, Amy Grant, Israel Houghton, Charlotte Church, Twila Paris, Carman, Petra, David Meece, Michael W. Smith, Wayne Watson, Kim Hill, Steve Taylor, etc. Secular credits include Brooks & Dunn, Sawyer Brown, Shania, Trick Pony, BlackHawk, SheDaisy, Todd Snider, Kirk Whalum, Billy Dean, Wade Hayes, Dusty Springfield, Vern Gosdon, Lorrie Morgan, more.

ED PEARL, 88, died Feb.7.
Founder & driving force behind L.A.’s Ash Grove coffee house. Venue endured 1958-73, hosting Doc Watson, Bill Monroe, Maybelle Carter, Flatt & Scruggs, New Lost City Ramblers, Johnny Cash, Stanley Brothers, Dillards, Kentucky Colonels, etc. COVID pandemic victim.

RICHIE ALBIRGHT, 81, died Feb. 9.
Influential country drummer, founder of Waylon Jennings’ band The Waylors. Known as “right arm” of Country Music Hall of Fame member Jennings (1937-2002), encouraging rock-leaning percussion to forge Outlaw sound. Appeared on many million-selling Jennings LPs, co-wrote Jennings/Hank Jr. duet hit “The Conversation” 1983, produced Jennings 1980 million-selling “Theme From The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys).” Also produced Jessi Colter, Billy Joe Shaver, Hank Jr. In addition to Jennings, backed Willie, Jessi, Tompall, Cash, Tony Joe, David Lynn Jones, Johnny Rodriguez, Hank Jr., Shaver.

AARON “FROSTY” FOSTER, 28, died Feb. 10.
Bluegrass guitarist in ETSU’s Bluegrass Pride band, Amanda Cook Band and Boone & Foster. The last-named charted with “Country Fool” in 2020.

LEE SEXTON, 92, died Feb. 10.
Banjo player on LPs Whoa Mule, Mountain Music of Kentucky. Briefly in movie Coal Miner’s Daughter.

CARMAN, 65, died Feb. 16.
A CCM trailblazer and GMA Hall of Fame member. In 1985, he released his first No. 1 song, “The Champion.” Billboard named him Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year in 1992 and 1995. In 1993, his album, Addicted to Jesus, earned the distinction of Contemporary Christian Album of the Year. The multiple Grammy-nominee held the world record for having the largest audience at a solo Christian artist concert, set the record for the largest concert at Texas Stadium with more than 71,000 fans, and led more than 80,000 fans in worship in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Died following complications from surgery on a hiatal hernia. (Full name: Carman Dominic Licciardello)

WAYNE DANIEL, 92, died Feb. 16.
Country-music scholar noted for many magazine & journal articles on the history of bluegrass, Southern gospel, country. Published in Bluegrass Unlimited, Old Time Music, Atlanta Journal Constitution, JEMF Quarterly, Journal of Country Music, The Devil’s Box, Radio Digest, Precious Memories, etc. Book: Pickin’ on Peachtree: A History of Country Music in Atlanta, Georgia (University of Illinois, 1990). Also nationally known as PhD, author & professor in Biostatistics.

CURTIS McPEAKE, 93, died Feb. 20.
Nashville banjo master. Stints with Flatt & Scruggs (1955), Bill Monroe (1961-63), Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper (1963), Opry staff band (1960s), Benny Williams/Tennessee River Boys, Danny Davis & Nashville Brass (1969-87). Session musician for George Jones, Melba Montgomery, Willis Brothers, C.W. McCall, etc. Developed 10-string banjo. Also played guitar, dobro, jaw’s harp, steel guitar, mandolin. Began career on Tennessee radio 1941. Continued to record & perform after age 90. Several solo albums. IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award 2018.

NISHA JACKSON, 62, died Feb. 23.
Grand champion on TNN-TV’s country talent competition You Can Be a Star 1987. Black country contender subsequently charted with “Alive and Well” on Capitol.

BETH FLOOD, 77, died Feb. 24.
Landscape designer whose gardening skills were sought after by Nashville’s music industry. Hosted star-studded annual holiday parties. Wife of celebrity financial manager Chuck Flood. (full name: Zora Elizabeth Edelbrock Flood).

PETER OSTROUSHKO, 67, died Feb. 24.
Mutli-instrumentalist musical director at Prairie Home Companion NPR radio show, appearing on 250+ episodes over 40-year span. Toured with Robin & Linda Williams, Chet Atkins, Norman Blake. Prominent on soundtracks of Ken Burns documentaries about Mark Twain, Lewis & Clark. Appeared on Austin City Limits, Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Late Night with David Letterman. More than 15 albums for Red House label (1985-2018).

DUFFY JACKSON, 67, died Mar. 3.
Jazz drummer with Count Basie, Lionel Hampton, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Betty Carter, Illinois Jacquet, others. Teacher at Nashville Jazz Workshop, gigs at Rudy’s Jazz Room, Acme Feed & Seed, etc.

ROSS, MARVIN, 87, died Mar. 8.
Member of Nashville gospel quartet The Ross Brothers.

DAVID C. NEAL, 58, died Mar. 10.
Vocalist in gospel quartet The Elighteners. Multi-instrumentalist on keyboards, guitar, bass.

ROBB EARLS, 69, died Mar. 11.
Nashville pop/rock innovator. Vocalist, songwriter, synthesizer performer, Led acclaimed techno-pop bands Factual, Warm Dark Pocket, Big Bong Theory and This Midnight Stream. Factual made disc debut via tracks on local-rock compilations Never In Nashville (1981), The London Side of Nashville (1982). Debut Factual single “Think to the Beat” / “Your Way” 1982. Four-song, mini-LP Factual (1983). Band headlined multi-act extravaganza Entertainment Expo at Municipal Auditorium 1983. Four-song, techno-pop mini-LP Warm Dark Pocket (with Marilyn Blair) 1986. Psychedelic rock-club band Big Bong Theory. Then This Midnight Stream (with Carole Edwards) issued dance-pop CD Cinematic (2001). Owner of Sound Vortex studio & engineer/producer there for David Olney, Webb Wilder, Lambchop, DeGarmo & Key, Bonepony, Tom House, Doug Hoekstra, Jet Black Factory, Clockhammer, Tom Ovans, Dessau & more.

SCOTT WHITEHEAD, 61, died Mar. 12.
Business manager for Nashville’s Grassroots Promotion and FanTheJam.com. Formerly songwriter (Acuff-Rose), producer, musician & member of duo Hometown News. Act charted with “Minivan” & “Wheels” (2002), recorded three CDs. Husband & biz partner of Nancy Tunick, co-owner of Grassroots.

TAYLOR DEE, 33, died Mar. 14.
Texas country singer who released her debut single in 2019, “The Buzz.”

TOM ERVIN, 86, died Mar. 17.
President & GM of WTVF NewsChannel 5. Spent 40 years at the CBS Nashville affiliate. Many Emmy & other broadcasting awards.

JT GRAY, 75, died Mar. 20.
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame inductee 2020. Owner of bluegrass mecca The Station Inn since 1981. Venue launched The Whites, Time Jumpers, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dreadful Snakes. Training ground for Dierks Bentley, Alison Krauss, Chris Stapleton, Larry Cordle, many more. Regulars included John Prine, Jim Rooney, Nanci Griffith, Doyle & Debbie, Roland White, Vince Gill, Peter Rowan. Site of music videos, photo shoots, showcases, Gold parties. IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award. Guitarist, bassist, tenor singer for Jimmy Martin (1979-81), Misty Mountain Boys (1971-75), own band Nashville Skyline (1979-2000). Documentary film: The Station Inn: True Life Bluegrass (2004). Solo album: It’s About Time (2005). Presenter on national Grammy telecast 2021. (full name: Earl “JT” Gray).

TOMMY CHAYNE, 32, died March 22.
Country rapper who was newly signed to Nashville’s Average Joes Entertainment. Last song, “Captain America,” was released just days before his passing. (Full name: Thomas Alan Herring)

CONNIE BRADLEY, 75, died March 24.
Leader at Nashville’s ASCAP office for 34 years. ASCAP signed Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Rodney Crowell, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Chris Young, John Rich, Billy Currington, George Strait during her tenure. Formerly at NewsChannel 5, Famous Music, Dot Records, RCA Records. CMA Board president/chair 1989-90. Nashville Symphony Harmony Award 2006. SOURCE honoree 2012. CMA Irving Waugh Award of Excellence 2018. Wife of Country Music Hall of Fame member Jerry Bradley. Daughter-in-law of Country Music Hall of Fame member Owen Bradley. Stepmother of Clay Bradley. Sister-in-law of Patsy Bradley.

ROBERT DOYLE JACOBS, 89, died March 28.
Nashville country singer-songwriter of the 1950s with own weekly TV show on WBKO in Bowling Green, KY. Often sat in with bands on Lower Broadway in later years.

ANDY SMITH, 83, died March 28.
Nashvillian known as “Jazzman,” an internationally known jazz record collector and historian. Own NPR radio series The Jazzman Show WKMS at Murray State for 20 years. Past president International Society of Jazz Record Collectors. His archive spanned blues & jazz recordings, films, memorabilia. Cornet player.

GENE KENNEDY, 87, died April 1.
Owner of Door Knob Records, Nashville’s longest-lasting indie country label (1976-2015). Label recorded more than 100, including charted acts Wayne Kemp, Bobby G. Rice, Gary Goodnight, Big Al Downing, Tom Carlile, Jerry Wallace, Bonnie Nelson, Perry LaPointe, Jeris Ross, Sonny Wright, Peggy Sue (13 charted singles). Producer, recording artist, songwriter (for Bobby Lewis, Jerry Wallace, Newbeats, Mark Brine, etc.). Formerly head of promotion at Hickory Records, Decca, 4-Star, Ace of Hearts. Founder & lifetime member of R.O.P.E. COVID pandemic victim.

BARBARA MILLER, 86, died April 2.
Widow, co-writer, co-publisher of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Eddie Miller. Formerly duet singer with sister Betty on L.A.’s Hometown Jamboree. (married name: Barbara Miller McCormick).

BILL OWENS, 85, died April 7.
Mentor & early songwriting collaborator with niece Dolly Parton. Wrote 800+ songs, including BMI Award winning “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” (with Dolly) (Bill Phillips 1966; Kendalls 1980, etc.). Also cowrote “Puppy Love” (Dolly), “More Love Than Sense” (Kitty Wells), “Fuel to the Flame” (Skeeter Davis), “The Company You Keep” (Bill Phillips), “I Only Regret” (Bill Phillips), more. Songs also recorded by Tammy Wynette, Bob Beckham, Red Sovine, Al Ferrier, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner, Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs, Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson, Johnny Dollar, etc. Took Dolly to Cas Walker’s “Farm & Home Hour” show Knoxville 1956, Grand Ole Opry 1959. Co-founded Dolly’s first publishing company, Owepar Music. Produced many aspiring artists – Ralph Loveday, Jim Wyrick, Larry Cooke, Don Handy, Johnny Ringo, Tom Hackney and brother Henry (billed as “John Henry III”). Musical headliner at Dollywood following 1986 opening. Planted 70,000 trees at park. In later years, passionate about reintroducing chestnut trees to Appalachia.

DENNIS PAYNE, 71, died April 8.
Songwriter, sideman, studio engineer, recording artist. Songs include Junior Brown’s “Highway Patrol” (1995) & Vern Gosdin’s “All I Want and Need Forever” (1979). As a lead-guitarist he backed Earl Thomas Conley, David Frizzell, Jimmy Dickens, Cal Smith, Tommy Overstreet, etc. Member of bands Eagle Creek, Bakersfield Boys and Cigars & Cataracts. Began career in Bakersfield on local TV shows of Dave Stogner and Bill Woods. Managed by Buck Owens, protégée of Red Simpson & Tommy Collins, touring guitarist for Wynn Stewart, Joe & Rose Lee Maphis, Eddie Dean. Recorded for Capitol 1975, True Records 1988. Son of Charles Payne of The Light Crust Doughboys. Nephew of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Leon Payne.

JAMES ALLEN COLLINS, 89, died April 8.
Fixture of East Tennessee bluegrass scene for 70+ years. Member Pinnacle Mountain Boys.

RUSTY YOUNG, 74, died April 14.
Founder/leader of country-rock band Poco. Influential Steel Guitar Hall of Fame member. Sang lead on Poco hits “Rose of Cimarron” (1976), “Crazy Love” (1979). Poco colleagues included Jim Messina, Richie Furay, Paul Cotton, Timothy B. Schmitt, George Grantham, Randy Meisner. Formerly on Buffalo Springfield LP Last Time Around (1968). Also in 1996 country supergroup The Sky Kings with Bill Lloyd & John Cowan.

PHIL ZIMMERMAN, 77, died April 16.
Mandolin & banjo player with workshops at bluegrass festivals. Noted photographer who documented first bluegrass festival (Fincastle, VA, 1965), plus fests in Massachusetts, Delaware, New York, Vermont, etc. Book: Bluegrass Time (2008). Photo exhibit at IBMA Museum (2008).

CHARLIE BLACK, 71, died April 23.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member. SESAC Country Songwriter of Year 1979. ASCAP Country Songwriter of Year 1983 & 1984. More than 20 top-10 country hits, including Anne Murray’s “A Little Good News” (1983), Reba’s “You Lie” (1990), Jennifer Warnes’ “I Know a Heartache When I See One” (1979, revived by Jo Dee Messina 1998). Career launched by Tommy Overstreet top-10 hits “I Don’t Know You (Anymore)” (1971), “Send Me No Roses” (1973), “I’ll Never Break These Chains” (1973), “(Jeannie Marie) You Were a Lady” (1974), “If I Miss You Again Tonight” (1974). Co-wrote Murray hits “Shadows in the Moonlight” (1979), “Lucky Me” (1980), “Blessed Are the Believers” (1981), “Another Sleepless Night” (1982). “A Little Good News” CMA Single of the Year, Grammy Award for Murray and Grammy nomination for Black. Other songwriting hits: “Do You Love As Good As You Look” (Bellamys 1981), “Be There For Me Baby” (Johnny Lee 1982), “Sounds Like Love” (Lee 1983), “Slow Burn” (T.G. Sheppard, 1984), “Another Motel Memory” (Shelly West, 1984), “Honor Bound” (Earl Thomas Conley, 1985), “Strong Heart” (T.G. 1986), “100% Chance of Rain” (Gary Morris 1986), “Someone” (Greenwood 1987), “Timeless and True Love” (McCarters 1988, Jeannie Kendall & Alan Jackson 2003), “Come Next Monday” (K.T. 1990), “Goodbye Says It All” (BlackHawk 1994), “Little Red Rodeo” (Colin Raye, 1998), “Right on the Money” (Alan Jackson 1999). Also Phll Vassar hits “Carlene” (1999), “Six Pack Summer” (2001), “Don’t Miss Your Life” (2012). Songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Lynn Anderson, Conlee, Crystal, Strait, Andy Williams, Juice, Charlie Rich, Jerry Reed, Osmonds, Bare, Don Williams, Joe Nichols. Husband of songwriter Dana Hunt (Strait’s “Check Yes or No” & “Write This Down”).

PAM BELFORD, 70, died April 22.
Noted as co-writer of George Strait’s “If I Know Me” & “Holding My Own” (1991-92). Other cuts: Connie Francis “Don’t Tell Me Not to Cry” (1981), Leon Everette “Sad State of Affairs” plus Doug Stone, Linda Jordan, Karen Taylor-Good, Blackcreek, Rich McCready, Dean Dillon, Renee Wahl, Anna Marie, Teriri Gibbs, Susan H. Brantley, Michael Dean Church, etc. Solo album: Slow Dancing Cowboys & Strawberry Pie (2015). Vet performer for 30+ years at Bluebird Café, Longtime Nashville Public Library worker.

TOMMY WEST, 78, died May 2.
Producer, songwriter, artist, label exec. Noted as Jim Croce producer, plus Henry Gross, Gail Davies, Mary Travers, Dion DiMucci, Ed Bruce, others. Began career in pop music in doo-wop group The Criterions, then DJ at WRLB-FM (Long Branch, NJ), promoter at Command Records, session singer for Sinatra, Como, Sammy Davis Jr., Mitch Ryder, Connie Francis, others. Formed pop groups Salt Water Taffy and Cashman, Pistilli & West, then Cashman & West (1972’s “American City Suite”). With Terry Cashman (Dennis Minogue) co-wrote songs for Partridge Family, Mama Cass, Manhattan Transfer, Al Martino, Mouth & MacNeal. Co-founded MTM Records on Music Row 1984 & produced most of its artists – Judy Rodman, Holly Dunn, Girls Next Door, Almost Brothers, Voltage Brothers. Later founded High Harmony label. (real name: Thomas Ralph Picardo).

JIM PEVA, 92, died May 5.
Photographer, writer who became historian of Bill Monroe’s music park at Bean Blossom, Indiana. Recorded many performances, photographed even more over a 50-year period. Served on Bean Blossom Brown County Jamboree Preservation Foundation board. Book: Bean Blossom: Its People and Its Music (2006).

JIM HALL, 61, died May 10.
Audio engineer & venue sound-system designer. Skilled in public address systems, studio monitors, stage speakers, microphones, lighting systems, digital technology, closed-circuit video, theaters, television production, acoustic installations. Clients included Milsap, Dolly, Oaks, Travis, McGraw, Martina, Merle, Waylon, Gaithers, Dove Awards, Municipal Auditorium, Elite Post, Post Masters, LP Field, Sounds Stadium, Allied Sound, Memphis Symphony, many churches & multipurpose facilities. COVID pandemic victim. (full name: James Norman Hall).

JOHN MITCHEL HICKMAN, 78, died May 11.
Noted for several album collaborations with Byron Berline, solo work on Rounder, banjo player for movies & TV, subject of a film documentary, IBMA award winner. Began career in bluegrass in Columbus, Ohio bands. Relocated to West Coast 1969 & became session musician, banjo teacher, instrument restorer/repairer. Appeared on The Smothers Brothers TV show, then joined Berline in band Sundance 1975-78 (albums on MCA, Takoma, etc.). Solo album Don’t Mean Maybe 1978. Formed Berline-Crary-Hickman trio & issued albums 1981, 1984, 1986, 1989. Formed group California, which won IBMA Instrumental Group awards 1992, 1993, 1994.

RANDY LEE MARTIN, 72, died May 12.
Sculptor, songwriter, ad exec, award-winning wood carver. Album jackets for Merle Haggard, Charlie Daniels, Shenandoah, etc. while at CBS art department.

PATSY BRUCE, 81, died May 16.
Veteran Music Row entrepreneur, artist manager, songwriter, event planner, tourism businesswoman, TV/film exec, publisher. Managed former husband Ed Bruce (1939-2021) in 1970s-1980s & is listed as cowriter on his songs “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” “Texas (When I Die),” “After All,” “Ever Never Lovin’ You,” “(When You Fall in Love) Everything’s a Waltz,” “Girls Women and Ladies.” Guided Ed to film & TV roles, branding as “The Tennessean” spokes-character, voice-over work, commercials, as well as managing their talent agency and publishing company. Casting director on TV’s Maverick and movie Urban Cowboy. Served as president of NSAI. Moved into event planning winning honors for massive Super Dome convention gala for Honda. Launched own film & TV production company. Worked in political campaigns, on parole board, as crime-victim advocate. Founded Songbird Tours 2017 with songwriter son Trey Bruce. Also mother of former publishing exec Beau Bruce (1970-2019).

MARY P. FLOWERS, 69, died May 16.
Former journalist whose “Country Music Memo” column was nationally syndicated by King Features.

BISHOP ROBERT L. ROSS, 87, died May 16.
Prominent Black Nashville minister whose services were broadcast on WVOL weekly.

LOU ROBIN, 90, died May 18.
Johnny Cash & June Carter manager 1973-2003. Cash estate manager 2003-2018. Concert promoter, film producer, theatrical producer. More than 4,000 concerts promoted – Streisand, Stones, Beatles, Garland, Joplin, Hendrix, Chicago, Queen, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., etc. Former Hollywood Bowl show promoter. IEBA Hall of Fame 2011.

ROGER HAWKINS, 75, died May 20.
Legendary Muscle Shoals drummer, studio owner. Member Musicians Hall of Fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame. “The heartbeat of the Muscle Shoals Sound” as the drummer of sessions band The Swampers. Backed hundreds on disc, including Milsap, Willie, Toby, Tony Joe, Oaks, Dr. Hook, Joe Tex, Sawyer Brown, Debert, Buffett, Alabama, Rabbitt, Newbury, Jerry Jeff, Stella Parton, Donna Fargo, Ronstadt, Billy Swan, Billy Joe Royal, Paul Davis, plus Aretha, Clapton, Seger, Anka, Baez, Garfunkel, Odetta, Cocker, Traffic, Staples, James Brown, Cat Stevens, Kim Carnes, Paul Simon, Rod Stewart, Leon Russell, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Ry Cooder, Boz Scaggs, Sweet Inspirations, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Bobby Womack, Bobby Blue Bland, Slim Harpo, Percy Sledge, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Little Milton, J.J. Cale, Millie Jackson, Herbie Mann, many more. Produced Connie Francis, Orleans, Mel & Tim, Denise LaSalle, Tamiko Jones, Luther Ingram & others. Do-founder of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

GLENN DOUGLAS TUBB, 85, died May 22.
Hit country songwriter with “Home of the Blues” (Johnny Cash, 1957), “Next Time” (Ernest Tubb, 1959), “Sweet Lips” (Webb Pierce, 1961), “Tell Her So” (Wilburn Brothers, 1963), “I Talk to Jesus Every Day” (Cash, 1971), “Two Story House” (Jones & Wynette, 1980). Social-commentary classic “Skip a Rope” (Henson Cargill, 1968), a Grammy-nominated No. 1 smash recorded by dozens – Jimmy Dean, B.J., Twitty, Bare, Autry Inman, Lynn Anderson, Harden Trio, Gene Vincent, George Jones, Joe Tex, Patti Page, Jack Reno, Rex Allen, Lawrence Reynolds, Jordanaires, Brothers Four, Kentucky HeadHunters, Marty Stuart, etc. Songs also recorded by Yoakam, Collins Kids, Kitty, Hank Jr., Pride, Dylan, Tennessee Ernie, Hawkshaw, Sonny James, Charlie Louvin, Jan Howard, Nat Stuckey, Gene Watson, Jack Barlowe, Billy Walker, Anne Murray, many more. Tubb also a recording artist for Dot, Decca, Mercury, MGM, others, sometimes billed as “Glenn Douglas” or “Doug Tubb.” LP Heartbreak Alley 1958. Later albums included New Country Psalms, Half and Half, Glenn Douglas, Let Me Cry Alone, Gonna Make My Mark, Aged to Perfection. Appeared on Opry and Ozark Jubilee network TV series. Toured with Cash, Jones, Jerry Lee, Carl Perkins, Marty Robbins & others. In later years, hosted “Midnight Jamboree,” performed gospel duets with wife Dottie Snow (daughter of Opry stars Radio Dot & Smokey Swann). They co-ministered weekly Sunday service “The Kitchen Tabernacle” on Facebook Live & Periscope. Active for seven decades on Nashville music scene, writing & performing until death. Nephew of Country Music Hall of Famer Ernest Tubb (1914-1984), cousin of Grand Ole Opry star Justin Tubb (1935-1998).

TOMMY EDWARDS, 75, died May 22.
Singer/guitarist who co-founded North Carolina band Bluegrass Experience (1971). Group recorded four albums. Edwards also recorded several solo projects.

DEWAYNE BLACKWELL, 84, died May 23.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member. Noted for “Friends in Low Places,” “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home,” “Honkytonk Man,” “Mr. Blue.” Began performing age 14. Formed family pop group The Blackwells (1958-61). The Fleetwoods 1959 pop smash “Mr. Blue” first song success. Later recorded by Bobby Vee, Johnny Crawford, Bobby Vinton, Pat Boone, Gary Lewis & Playboys, Garth, Dylan, others. Fleetwoods also recorded his “The Last One to Know” (1960). Other early pop successes Billy Fury’s “Love Or Money” (1961), Everly Brothers’ “The Ferris Wheel” (1964), Bobby Vee’s “Hickory, Dick and Dock” (1964), Sam the Sham & Pharaohs’ “Oh That’s Bad No That’s Good” (1967). Early songs also recorded by Orbison, Four Preps, Peggy March, Little Richard, Ventures, etc. Switched to country songwriting via “Mama Come’n Get Your Baby Boy” (Johnny Darrell, 1970), “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino” (David Frizzell, 1982, nominated for a songwriting Grammy), “Honkytonk Man” (Marty Robbins, 1982, title song of Clint Eastwood movie), “Saturday Night Special” (Twitty, 1988), “Friends in Low Places” (Garth, 1990, CMA & ACM Single of the Year, Grammy nominated, ASCAP Country Song of the Year), “Cowboy in a Three-Piece Business Suit” (Rex Allen Jr., 1982), “Turn the Pencil Over” (Porter, 1982), “Tulsa Ballroom” (Dottie, 1983), “A Million Light Beers Ago” (Frizzell, 1983), “Make My Day” (T.G. & Eastwood, 1984), “Still Pickin’ Up After You” (Kendalls, 1987), “When Karen Comes Around” (Mason Dixon, 1988), “Nobody Gets Off in This Town” (Garth, 1989), “Yard Sale” (Sammy Kershaw, 1992). Songs also recorded by Chestnut, Bandy, Oaks, Stampley, Merle, Shelly West, Reba, Confederate Railroad, Daryle Singletary, Michael Peterson, Floyd Cramer, others. Recorded as solo artist 1974 & thereafter. Own restaurant Senor Azul (Mr. Blue) in Ajijic, Mexico.

COTTON IVY, 91, died May 25.
Country humorist with four LPs. Guest star on Hee Haw, Nashville Now, Opry. Also former state legislator, Tennessee State Commissioner of Agriculture, insurance salesman, convention speaker, lay minister. (full name: Lamarse H. “Cotton” Ivy).

BUSTER PHILLIPS, 74, died May 26.
Prolific Nashville session drummer on hundreds of sessions – Milsap, Mandrell, Rabbitt, Tanya, Sylvia, Phil Driscoll, Mylon LeFevre, Con Hunley, David Allen Coe, Levon Helm, Leon Russell, Steve Young, Irma Thomas, James Galway, Michael Clark, Stella Parton, etc. (full name: Charles Furman Phillips Jr.)

B.J. THOMAS, 78, died May 29.
Gifted vocalist in pop, gospel, country & soundtracks. Five Grammy Awards. Iconic hits include “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” “Hooked on a Feeling,” “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.” Began career in Texas with band The Triumphs and 1966 swamp-pop hit with Hank Williams classic “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” Single introduced distinctive vocal style with note slides, ornamented phrasing & jazzy tones. Pop action continued 1966 with Mark Charron songs “Mama,” “Billy and Sue,” “Bring Back the Time.” Rebounded 1968-69 via Mark James’s “Eyes of a New York Woman,” “Hooked on a Feeling,” “It’s Only Love.” Massive 1969 hit with Bacharach & David’s “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” theme song of movie Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid (Oscar: Best Song) now in Grammy Hall of Fame. Followed by “Everybody’s Out of Town” (1970), “I Just Can’t Help Believing” (1970), “No Love at All” (1971), “Rock and Roll Lullaby” (1972). Resurgence again via pop smash & first country hit “Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” Grammy winner for Best Country Song. Pop success continued via “Don’t Worry Baby” (1977) & “Everybody Loves a Rain Song” (1978), but more prominent in country with hits “Some Love Songs Never Die” (1981), “I Recall a Gypsy Woman” (1981), “Whatever Happened to Old Fashioned Love” (No. 1, 1983), “New Looks From an Old Lover” (No. 1, 1983), “Two Car Garage” (1984), “The Whole World’s in Love When You’re Lonely” (1984), “Rock and Roll Shoes” (with Ray Charles, 1984), “The Girl Most Likely To” (1985). Substance abuse followed by Christian conversion & gospel success with Grammy winners “Home Where I Belong” (1977), “Happy Man” (1978), “You Gave Me Love” (1979), “The Lord’s Prayer” (1980), “Amazing Grace” (1981). Also gospel Grammy nominations for “Peace in the Valley” (1983), “Miracle” (1982), “Everything Always Works Out for the Best” (1980). Opry cast inductee 1981. Sang “As Long as We’ve Got Each Other” theme song for ABC-TV hit Growing Pains 1985-92). Autobiography: Home Where I Belong (1978). (full name: Billy Joe Thomas)

GEORGE BEASLEY, 89, died June 2.
Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame member. His Beasley Media Group owns 62 radio stations. Broadcasters Foundation of America Lifetime Achievement Awardee.

JERRY SMITH, 87, died June 6.
Nashville keyboardist who recorded instrumentals billed as “Jerry Smith & His Pianos,” “Papa Joe’s Music Box,” “Cornbread & Jerry” and “The Magic Organ.” Made country charts with “Truck Stop” (1969), “Sweet & Sassy” (1969), “Papa Joe’s Thing” (1970), Grammy nominated “Drivin’ Home” (1970) and “Steppin’ Out” (1970) for ABC, Decca. Appeared on American Bandstand, Lawrence Welk. Session keyboardist for Jerry Reed, Merle Haggard, etc. Co-wrote and played piano on 1963 pop hit “Down at Papa Joe’s” by The Dixiebelles. Song’s collaborator Bill Justis (1926-1982) was “Cornbread” recording partner on Liberty (“Lil Ole Me,” “Loco Moto”).

TOMMY GARRETT, 77, died June 7.
Former PD/MD at WRNS-FM Greenville, NC. Also a songwriter. (real name: Tommy Harmon).

RONNIE HOBBS, 67, died June 15.
Entrepreneur who developed the Music Valley entertainment district, including The Nashville Palace, alongside partner and brother of John Hobbs. (full name: James Ronald Hobbs).

LARRY SHERIDAN, 69, died June 19.
Music Row publisher, real estate developer and contractor. Owned The Parlor recording studio used by Vince, Chesney, John Michael Montgomery, Amy Grant, etc.

JIM BESSMAN, 68, died June 22.
Veteran music journalist noted for 25+ years freelancing for Billboard. Also wrote for MusicRow, Variety, Cashbox, Spin, Country Rhythms, more. Vast contacts, stretching from Grand Ole Opry to Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, omnipresent at CMA Music Fest, Oral historian for Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions. Books: The Ramones – An American Band and John Mellencamp – The Concert at Walter Reed. More than 80 album liner-note essays. Blogs: centerlinenews.com, jimbessman.com.

BEN EWING, 67, died June 27.
GM of Plowboy Records with CDs by Bobby Bare, Kentucky HeadHunters, Chuck Mead, Paul Burch, Buzz Cason, Ghost Wolves, JD Wilkes & Dirt Daubers, Richard Lloyd, Cheetah Chrome, etc. Began career at Capricorn Records, then affiliations with broadcasting company South Eastern Communications, Artist Envoy Agency, Progression Music Group, Red Dirt Music, Ewing Management.

“MAMA FRANCES” LUNSFORD, 92, died July 5.
Matriarch of Lunsford Family. Muse of artists & songwriters. Co-creator & star of mockumentary film Mama Frances the Family Pope. Widow of prominent fiddler/songwriter Jim Lunsford (1927-1978). Mother of Tomi, Nancy, Teresa who formed Lunsford Family with Jim. Daughter Tomi became solo artist, bandleader, session performer. (full name: Frances Stroup Lunsford).

BYRON BERLINE, 77, died July 10.
Renowned bluegrass fiddler. Two-time national grand champion, 1965 & 1970. Joined Dillards 1964. At Newport Folk Festival 1965. Subsequently joined Bill Monroe (1966-67), Dillard & Clark (1969-70), Dillard Expedition (1970-71). Co-founded Country Gazette toured & recorded 1971-75. Then Sundance (1975-85), Berline, Crary & Hickman (1978-90), L.A. Fiddle Band (1978-93), California (1990-96), Byron Berline Band (1995-2021). Session player for Byrds, Eagles, Rolling Stones, Dylan, John Denver, Elton, Vince, Emmylou, Jethro Burns, John Hartford, Dirt Band, Don Reno, Earl Scruggs, etc. Also on movie & TV soundtracks. Owned Double Stop Music Shop in Guthrie, OK. In Oklahoma Musicians Hall of Fame. IBMA Distinguished Achievement award 2012.

E.D. THOMPSON, 96, died July 10.
Organist who performed on WLAC’s Ranch House Melodies show in 1940s. Performed in various dance bands, then formed Buddy Thompson & The Nashville Knights. Later band director at Hillsboro High, Belmont University. Taught at MTSU, Aquinas College. (full name: Ellis Dillard Thompson Jr.)

DILLON GASCA, 28, died July 10.
Drummer in house band at Jason Aldean’s honky-tonk on Lower Broadway.

WILBUR “ANTHONY” JOYNER, 54, died July 13.
Known as “Smooth Groove,” bass player & backing vocalist on tour with Faith Hill, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, Lee Greenwood, Cody Purvis, etc. Featured in Bass Player magazine & instructional videos. Also instrumental teacher, music director, road manager, bass-guitar clinician with advanced degrees from Austin Peay, Belmont. Most recently in Tony Sarno Band. Son of gospel drummer Marie Brown, brother of jazz singer Cleve Douglass.

MARTIN KAHAN, 74, died July 18.
Prominent & prolific country video director 1983-2001. Began career with rock clips for Rush, Scandal, Ian Hunter, Clarence Clemons, Bon Jovi, Loverboy, Michael Bolton, Motley Crue, Kiss, Scorpions, Eddie Money, etc. Transitioned to country in early 1980s, creating 1985-88 career-establishing Sawyer Brown videos “Betty’s Bein’ Bad,” “Heart Don’t Fall Now,” “Out Goin’ Cattin,’” “Shakin.’” Acclaim for 1984 Ricky Skaggs videos “Honey (Open That Door)” (with cameo by NY Mayor Ed Koch) and “Country Boy” (Bill Monroe in key role). Won awards for “Chattahoochie” by Alan Jackson (CMA, 1993) and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” by John Michael Montgomery (CMT, 1995). Particularly noted for multiple Confederate Railroad videos “Trashy Women,” “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind.” “When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back.” Many clips for Neal McCoy – “Wink,” “No Doubt About It,” “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye,” others. Also multiple videos for Chesney, including “She’s Got it All” (1997), “That’s Why I’m Here” (1997), “I Lost It” (2000). Other videos ‘Then What” Clay Walker (1998), “Hog Wild” Hank Jr. (1995), “High Powered Love” Emmylou (1993), “Countrified” John Anderson (1986). More than 30 country clients, including David Ball, Billy Dean, T.G. Sheppard, Emilio, Ty England, Gibson Miller Band, John & Audrey Wiggins, Kieran Kane, Dude Mowery, Andy Childs, Buffalo Club, Rick Trevino.

DUSTY HILL, 72, died July 27.
Bassist of legendary rock group ZZ Top. With ZZ Top Hill racked up dozens of hits through the decades and packed arenas with their hard-driving mix of Southern rock and blues. In the 80’s they hit pay dirt when they released a series of albums that added funky synthesizer sounds to their hard-driving guitars, yielding massive hits like “Legs,” the quintessential “Sharp-Dressed Man,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin,’” which sold 10 million copies and remained on the Billboard charts for 183 weeks. Hill and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. He played with ZZ Top for over 50 years until his death.(Full name: Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill)

TOM LeGARDE, 90, died July 31.
Lead singer/guitarist in The LeGarde Twins with identical brother Ted LeGarde (1931-2018). After achieving disc stardom in Oz, relocated to L.A. with own KTLA TV series. In Nashville since 1958 as pioneers of Oz country sounds in Music City. Recorded for Dot (“Freight Train Yodel”), Liberty (“Baby Sister”), Bel Canto (“Rock and Roll That Hula Hoop”), debuted on Opry with own tune, “Cooee Call.” Signed management contract with Col. Tom Parker. Became casino stars in Vegas, appeared on Star Trek portraying androids (1967). Debuted on charts with Cole Porter standard “True Love” (1978). Also charted with “I Can Almost Touch the Feelin’” (1979), “Daddy’s Makin’ Records in Nashville” (1980), “Crocodile Man” (1988). Popular on TNN’s Nashville Now & other TV shows. Favorites in Great Britain at Wembley Festival. Aussie Country Hall of Fame induction at Tamworth in Oz 1987. During 1990s, operated LeGarde Twins Country Music Theatre at Twitty City. Relocated to Best Western/Quality Inn Hall of Fame motor inn adjoining Music Row. Noted as top showmen via rope stunts, whip cracking, rifle marksmanship, card tricks, yodeling. Worked with Marty Robbins, Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins, Roy Rogers, Lassie, Groucho Marx, Dale Robertson, Barbara Mandrell, Nat King Cole, Hopalong Cassidy, Randy Travis, etc. Blazed trail for Keith Urban, Jedd Hughes, Jamie O’Neal, Olivia Newton-John, Kasey Chambers, Catherine Britt, James Blundel, Diana Trask, Sherrie Austin, Morgan Evans & other Australians in U.S. country.

CLARENCE DOBBINS, 64, died July 31.
Nashville classic R&B/blues singer, songwriter and producer. Solo CDs Soul of the Man (2005), The Uprising (2008). Formerly lead singer of The Kadillacs (1977). Founder/leader of The Clarence Dobbins Revue (1979).

ROBERT HUTCHINSON, 72, died Aug. 2.
Bluegrass singer & banjo player. Member of Hutchinson Brothers duo with sibling John for two albums on Vetco in Cincinnati (1975, 1977). Then with son Robert Jr. as The Hutchinsons on Vetco 1993.

JIM FEMINO, 69, died Aug. 3.
Songwriter, producer, singer, publisher, label owner. Songs recorded by Faith, Toby, Milsap, John Michael Montgomery, Craig Morgan, Jamie O’Neal, Steve Azar, others. Biggest hit via James Otto “Just Got Started Lovin’ You” (2008). Began career as pop artist/performer for 25 years.

RAZZY BAILEY, 82, died Aug. 4.
Singer-songwriter who placed more than 30 singles on the country charts in 1976-89, including five No. 1 smashes, including “Midnight Hauler,” “Lovin’ Up a Storm” and “She Left Love All Over Me.” In 1976, Dickey Lee scored a major country hit with Bailey’s song “9,999,999 Tears.” The following year, Lee also hit the charts with Bailey’s “Peanut Butter.” Bailey earned top-newcomer awards from Cash Box and Record World, as well as an ACM nomination. He was named Billboard’s No. 1 country chart artist of 1981. Bailey was noted for mentoring new songwriters and aspiring country performers. This kept him active as a record producer well into the 2000s. (Full name: Erastus Michael Bailey)

NANCY DUNNE, 90, died Aug. 5.
Longtime office manager of Danny Davis & The Nashville Brass. Managed country and gospel singers. (real name: Nancy Fenstermaker).

CHARLES WYATT, 78, died Aug. 6.
Principal flutist with Nashville Symphony for 25 years. Author of three books of poetry, several collections of short fiction. Taught creative writing at universities.

SPENCER NITCHIE, 57, died Aug. 6.
Publisher of valued bluegrass magazine Banjo Newsletter.

NANCI GRIFFITH, 68, died Aug. 13.
Folk/Americana singer-songwriter described as “folkabilly.” Wrote country hits “Love at the Five & Dime” (Kathy Mattea, 1986) & “Outbound Plane” (Suzy Bogguss, 1992). Grammy for LP Other Voices, Other Rooms (1993). Songs recorded by Willie, Emmylou, Bruce Springsteen, Kasey Chambers, Chieftains, Tom Russell, Dwight, Ronnie Hawkins, Lynn Morris, Juice Newton, Maura O’Connell, Chad Mitchell, Jonathan Edwards, etc. Published & first popularized Julie Gold song “From a Distance” as international peace anthem (later a pop smash for Bette Midler). More than 20 solo albums. Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Trailblazer Award 2009. Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame 2021.

CRAIG KARP, 76, died Aug. 15.
Nashville songwriter who co-wrote “If It Don’t Come Easy” (No. 1 for Tanya Tucker, 1988), “There’s No Stopping Your Heart” (Np. 1 Marie Osmond, 1985), “Honey I Dare You” (No. 5 Southern Pacific, 1989), “Second Hand Heart” (No. 7 Gary Morris, 1984), “All Is Lost” (No. 19 A/C for Southern Pacific, 1989). Songs also recorded by T.G. Sheppard, Lynn Anderson, Dave Gibson, Burrito Deluxe, Eddy Raven, Jimmy Fortune, Matt King, Rob Crosby, James House, Wayland Patton. Indie Artists Carla Monday & Rustie Blue charted with Karp songs. More than two dozen other indie-artist cuts, 1980-2020, several European artists.

RON CORNELIUS, 76, died Aug. 18.
Session guitarist, bandleader, producer, publisher. Noted as bandleader for Leonard Cohen through four LPs, six world tours, documentary. Session guitarist on seven Dylan albums, plus records by Cash, Flatt & Scruggs, Marty Robbins, Loudon Wainwright III, Hoyt Axton, more. In Nashville since 1980. Professional manager for Pete Drake Music & A.T.V. Had own Cornelius Companies since 1986 administering catalogs of Charlie Daniels, Lowery Music, etc. Began career as teen guitarist in California backing Chubby Checker, Martha & Vandellas, Miracles, Sonny & Cher, Jackie Wilson, Jan & Dean, Mary Wells, Glen Campbell, Bobby Rydell. Own bands The Untouchables on Dot (1961), West on Epic (1967). Solo albums on A&M, Polydor. In Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit “Dylan, Cash & The Nashville Cats” (2015-18). Later a country producer for Colt Prather, Summer Schappell, Cooper Berry, Miko Marks, etc. Book: The Guitar Behind Dylan and Cohen.

TOM T. HALL, 85, died Aug. 20.
Country Music Hall of Fame, Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Grand Ole Opry member. Created indelible “Harper Valley P.T.A.” (Jeannie C. Riley), “Little Bitty” (Alan Jackson), “How I Got to Memphis” (Bobby Bare). Recording artist with 50+ singles on country charts 1967-87, including 21 top-10 hits. Joined Kentucky bluegrass band at age 15. DJ in Kentucky & Virginia signed to Newkeys Music 1963 when Jimmy C. Newman had “D.J. For a Day” as top-10 country hit. Moved to Nashville Jan. 1, 1964. Dave Dudley hits “Mad” (1964), “What We’re Fighting For” (1965) and eight other Hall songs, including No. 1 “The Pool Shark” (1970). Newman top-10 hits “Artificial Rose” (1965), “Back Pocket Money” (1966). Johnny Wright No.1 with “Hello Vietnam” (1970). Own hits launched with “I Washed My Face in the Morning Dew” (1967). Riley’s 1968 “Harper Valley P.T.A.” topped pop & country charts, sold six million, won Grammy & CMA awards, inspired movie & TV series. Own hits resumed with top-10s “Ballad of Forty Dollars,” “Homecoming” (1969), No. 1 “A Week in a Country Jail” (1970). Bare hit with “(Margie’s At) The Lincoln Park Inn,” “The Town That Broke My Heart,” “How I Got to Memphis” 1968-70. Last-named covered by many – Buddy Miller, Rosanne Cash, Solomon Burke, Eric Church, Ronnie Dunn, Avett Brothers, Kelly Willis, Lee Hazelwood, Deryl Dodd, etc. Hall hit No. 1 with 1971’s “The Year That Clayton Delaney Died” (1971), “(Old Dogs, Children and) Watermelon Wine” (1973), “I Love” (1973) & top-10 hits continued with “Ravishing Ruby,” “County Is,” “I Like Beer,” “Faster Horses,” “Fox on the Run,” “Your Man Loves You Honey.” Voted into Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 1978, then more hits with “I Wish I Loved Somebody Else” (1978), “What Have You Got to Lose” (1978), “The Old Side of Town” (1980). TV host of nationally syndicated Pop Goes the Country (1980-83), commercial spokesman for Tyson Chicken, Chevy Trucks. Discovered Johnny Rodriguez. Promoted Billy Joe Shaver via 1983’s “Old Five and Dimers Like Me,” “Willy the Wandering Gypsy and Me.” Teamed with Earl Scruggs on 1982 LP including future Alabama No. 1 hit “Song of the South.” Sang with Johnny Cash on “The Last of the Drifters” (1988). Album in 1996 included “Little Bitty,” later a No. 1 for Jackson. Storyteller, Poet, Philosopher issued as boxed-set tribute 1995. Published six books, including novel The Laughing Man of Woodmont Cove, short-story collection The Acts of Life and autobiographical The Storyteller’s Nashville. Inducted into Country Hall of Fame 2008. BMI Icon award 2011. Married to lyricist & former Music City News journalist Dixie Dean (Iris Violet May Lawrence) (1934-2015). In 1990s-2000s collaborators on more than 500 bluegrass recordings of their songs. Both inducted into Bluegrass Hall of Fame 2018. Classic songs credited with helping to transform country music.

NORMA MORRIS, 82 died Aug. 20.
Music Row publicist whose clients included Exile, Time Jumpers, Vince Gill, Pete Huttlinger, Nefesh Mountain, Steve Wariner, Ralph Stanley, Waylon Jennings, Paul Overstreet, Merle Haggard, Jim & Jesse, Teea Goans, Maxine Brown, Jesse Winchester, sometimes in collaboration with Alison Auerbach. Co-owned Morris Public Relations. Also a photographer whose works appeared in People, TV Guide, Billboard, Bluegrass Unlimited, Amusement Business, etc. Co-authored Free & Low-Coast Publicity for Your Musical Act. Subject of 2021 book by husband Ed Morris: Stardust: An Alzheimer’s Love Story. Formerly a college textbook author and stage performer in musicals. Wife of journalist Ed Morris, mother of music publisher Jason Morris & publicist Erin Morris Hutlinger. (full name: Norma Ann Chapman Morris)

PHIL VALENTINE, 61, died Aug. 21.
Conservative radio talk-show host in Nashville on 99.7 WWTN. nationally syndicated for 12 years. Formerly a rock musician, songwriter, music DJ and morning-show host on WLAC-FM. COVID pandemic victim.

BILL EMERSON, 81, died Aug. 21.
Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame member. Singer & banjo player noted as co-founder of The Country Gentlemen. Stints with Jimmy Martin, Red Allen, Mac Wiseman, Stonemans, Bill Clifton. Appeared on Opry, Wheeling Jamboree, Louisiana Hayride, Golden Nugget saloon in Vegas. Five albums with Country Gentlemen. Three duo albums in 1960s with Cliff Waldron billed as Emerson & Waldron. They pioneered reinterpreting pop tunes as bluegrass – “Fox on the Run,” “If I Were a Carpenter,” “Proud Mary,” etc. In U.S. Navy 20 years & led navy band Country Current. Two solo albums. Formed his own band Sweet Dixie 2007, recording CDs for Rebel, Rural Rhythm. His banjo work heard on more than 400 songs in lifetime. Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame 1984. Bluegrass Hall of Fame 2019. (full name: William Hundley Emerson Jr.)

LISA LEE, 52, died Aug. 21.
Senior VP of Creative/Content for ACM. Producer of annual ACM Honors awards show at Ryman. Oversaw ACM Tempo magazine, ACM & Lifting Lives websites, CBS-TV awards specials & awards program books. Author of This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards (2014). Formerly reporter/producer at TNN Country News plus other Jim Owens & Associates shows (1995-99). Correspondent/producer at CMT/cmt.com/CMT Insider (2000-07). Began career in news at Cabot Star Herald newspaper in Arkansas, then KTAL-TV, the CBS affiliate for Shreveport/Texarkana. Leadership Music class 2014.

DON EVERLY, 84, died Aug. 21.
Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. Country Music Hall of Fame. Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Lead singer & songwriter of Everly Brothers, one of the most influential acts in pop-music history. Sold more than 40 million records. Toured globally for six decades. Wrote “Cathy’s Clown,” “So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad),” “(‘Til) I Kissed You,” more. Debut as radio performer 1945 as “Little Donnie” on KMA Shenandoah, Iowa. Don & high-tenor sibling Phil Everly (1939-2014) became The Everly Brothers 1949, relocated to WROL Knoxville 1953. Don scored as writer of Kitty Wells hit “Thou Shalt Not Steal” 1954. Anita Carter recorded Don’s “Here We Are Again.” Duo signed with Columbia Records 1955 “The Sun Keeps Shining”/ “Keep A Lovin’ Me,” both Everly originals. Justin Tubb recorded “The Life I Have to Live” 1957. Signed by Acuff-Rose Publishing & Cadence Records. Debuted with Boudleaux & Felice Bryant’s “Bye Bye Love,” to which Don applied rollicking Bo Diddley beat 1957. Rocketed to top of pop, R&B, country charts. Flip side, Everly original “I Wonder If I Care As Much” also charted, later covered by Dickey Lee, Johnny Winter, Robin & Linda Williams, Tracy Nelson, Andy Kim, Ricky Skaggs (1987 country hit). Even bigger follow-up single “Wake Up Little Susie” (Bryants) with Don original on flip “Maybe Tomorrow” (later covered by Don Gibson, The Browns, Englebert Humperdinck, Richard Leigh, Del Shannon, etc.). Bryant-penned Everly Brothers hits 1957-59 “All I Have to Do Is Dream,” “Bird Dog,” “Devoted to You,” “Problems,” “Take a Message to Mary,” “Poor Jenny.” Everly-penned “Should We Tell Him” 1958 revived by Flying Burrito Brothers 1990. Don’s “(‘Til) I Kissed You” top-10 Everly hit 1959, now a Million-Air BMI song via covers by Tom Wopat, Kenny Rogers, Connie Smith (top-10 1976), The Angels, Johnny Rodriguez, Gary Lewis & Playboys, Sue Thompson, Sandy Posey, Anne Murray. Acclaimed 1958 LP Songs Our Daddy Taught Us. Following eight million-selling singles 1957-59, duo first artists offered a million-dollar contract, Warner Bros. 1960. “Cathy’s Clown” sold three million, covered by Pat Boone, Shadows, Williams Brothers, Springer Brothers, Neil Sedaka, Dee Dee Ramone, Reba McEntire (giant country hit led to BMI Country Song of the Year 1990). “So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)” follow-up single later hit for Hank Williams Jr. & Lois Johnson (1970), Connie Smith (1976), Emmylou Harris (1983), also recorded by Tammy Wynette, Del Reeves, Frank Ifield, Dillard & Clark, Mott the Hoople, Steve Wariner, Albert Lee, Louise Mandrell, Sweethearts of Rodeo, Bryan Hyland, John Prine, more. Don’s “Since You Broke My Heart” (1960) revived by Searchers, Chocolate Watchband, Terry Jacks, Dino, Desi & Billy. Big British Everly successes 1961-64 “Walk Right Back,” “Ebony Eyes,” “Temptation,” “Stick with Me Baby,” “Don’t Blame Me,” “Crying in the Rain,” “How Can I Meet Her,” “No One Can Make My Sunshine Smile,” “The Ferris Wheel.” Don & Phil co-wrote 1964’s “Gone, Gone, Gone,” later covered by Ventures, Surfaris, Crow, Fairport Convention, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (on Raising Sand Grammy Album of Year 2007). Everlys also co-wrote “The Price of Love” (No. 1 British hit 1965), later recorded by The Move, Bryan Ferry, Status Quo, Poco, Nighthawks, Roxy Music, Cactus Brothers, Kinleys, BR5-49, Buddy Miller. Roots LP 1968 regarded as a seminal country-rock record. TV variety series on ABC, Johnny Cash Presents The Everly Brothers 1970. RCA albums Stories We Could Tell (1972) and Pass the Chicken and Listen (1973). Brothers broke up 1973. Don solo albums Don Everly (1971), Sunset Towers (1974), Brother Jukebox (1977) & charted country singles “Yesterday Just Passed My Way Again,” “Since You Broke My Heart,” “Brother Jukebox” 1976-77. Everlys re-teamed 1983. Reunion concert in London’s Royal Albert Hall aired worldwide on HBO. Paul McCartney wrote 1984 comeback single “On the Wings of aNightingale.” Don’s song “Born Yesterday” returned duo to country top-20 1986, plus hit video. Mercury albums 1984-88. His “Following the Sun” (1984) & “You Make It Seem So Easy” (1986) inspired music videos. Everly Brothers among 10 inaugural selections into Rock Hall of Fame (1986) alongside Chuck, Fats, Elvis, Jerry Lee, Buddy, James Brown, Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Little Richard. Everlys’ final chart appearance “Ballad of a Teenage Queen” with Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash (1989). Heartaches and Harmonies four-CD, boxed-set 1994. Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award 1997. Tour with Simon & Garfunkel 2003-04 farewell for both duos. Phil died 2014. Don voted into Musicians Hall of Fame 2019. Subjects of 1988 musical Bye Bye Love and books Living Legends: An Illustrated Discography (1985), Ike’s Boys (1988), The Everly Brothers: Ladies Love Outlaws (1991), The Everly Brothers: Walk Right Back (1998).

WAYNE “COWBOY” SPEARS, 70, died Aug. 22.
Longtime foreman at the tourist attraction Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN. Flood disaster victim.

SHIRLEY LEE LORD, 82, died Aug. 22.
Country songwriter/performer. As “Shirley Wood” wrote Connie Smith top-20 hit “Cry, Cry, Cry” (1968), Jean Shepard’s “Coming Or Going” (1967), James O’Gwynn’s “It’s Not the Best Way to Love” (1967). As “Shirley Adams” recording artist on Shue Records with “In Case I Ever Cross Your Mind” (1971), “Sunday Morning We’ll Be Singing” (1972), “Plastic Saddle” (with John L. Sullivan, 1972), etc. Also billed as “Shirley Spears.”

RIP PATTON, 81. died Aug. 24.
Music City jazz/blues drummer & vocalist who recorded with Keb Mo, Bonnie Raitt, performed with Lou Rawls, Roy Ayers. Noted as Freedom Rider during Civil Rights era. Expelled from TSU due to protesting at lunch counters for equality in Nashville. Compelling, entertaining stage storyteller. (full name: Ernest “Rip” Patton Jr.)

KIM TRIBBLE, 69, died Aug. 25.
Hit country songwriter. Catalog best-of includes “I’m On Your Side” Patty Loveless (1990), “Addicted to a Dollar” Doug Stone (1994), “Guys Do It All the Time” Mindy McCready (1996), “Out With a Bang” David Lee Murphy (1996), “I Can Still Feel You” Collin Raye (1998), “It’s My Time” Martina McBride (2001), “On a Mission” Trick Pony (2003), “Loco” David Lee Murphy (2004), “Beer Or Gasoline” Chris Young (2006), “A Feelin’ Like That” Gary Allan (2007), “One in Every Crowd” Montgomery Gentry (2009), “Let There Be Cowgirls” Chris Cagle (2013). Several BMI & SESAC awards. Highly prolific, with cuts by Shania, Aldean, Tippin, Dirt Band, Chesney, Journey, Ricochet, Randy Travis, Ty Herndon, Restless Heart, Randy Houser, Eric Heatherly, Craig Morgan, Brooks & Dunn, Chad Brock, James Otto, Colt Ford, George Fox, Lisa Stewart, etc.

CHARLIE DAVIS, 68, died Aug. 25.
Nashville booking agent at Paradise Artists. Clients included Steppenwolf, Joan Jett, Weird Al Yankovic, Gary Puckett & Union Gap, REO Speedwagon, Tommy James & Shondells, Bad Company, Blood Sweat & Tears. IEBA board member. Began career road managing Peter Frampton, managed Chubby Checker for 30 years.

KENNY MALONE, 83, died Aug. 26.
Legendary Music City percussionist. Creativity on assorted rhythm instruments, as well as traditional drum kit. Noted for hand drumming. Hit-making sessions with Dolly, Waylon, Milsap, Prine, Amy Grant. One of the most recorded drummers in Nashville history – Haggard, Whites, Crystal, Bare, Mandrell, Cash, Pride, Paycheck, Dottie, Emmylou, Skaggs, Wanda, Ray Charles, Carl Perkins, George Jones, Janie Fricke, Don Williams, Dobie Gray, Donna Fargo, David Allen Coe, Moe Bandy, Floyd Cramer, Kenny Rogers, Dr. Hook, Lynn Anderson, Michael Johnson, New Grass Revival, Bela Fleck, B.J. Thomas, John Anderson, Lacy J. Dalton, Barefoot jerry, John Hartford, many more. Noted for ebullient disposition. COVID pandemic victim.

RANDY “BAJA” FLETCHER, 73, died Aug. 27.
Inaugural winner CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award 2017. Production Manager of the Year award 2019. Known for creative staging, lighting, sound, shipping. Credited with innovations ranging from concert load-in to wiring boards and speakers. Tour production manager for ZZ Top, Waylon Jennings, Randy Travis, Brooks & Dunn, Keith Urban. Began career with Bill Deal & The Rondels. Fell from stage during Urban tour stop in Ohio.

TIM AKERS, 59, died Aug. 30.
Keyboard player, session & touring musician, songwriter, arranger, producer. Formerly musical director of TNN’s Prime Time Country 1997-99. Conductor/arranger/bandleader for Stevie Wonder, Patti LaBelle, Donna Summer, John Legend, Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Christopher Cross, Earth Wind & Fire, more. Touring keyboardist with Rascal Flatts, LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Amy Grant, Vince Gill. Recording sessions for Keith Urban, Megadeth, Michael Bolton, SHeDAISY, Jewel, Trace Adkins, Glen Campbell, Barry Manilow, Pam Tillis, Joss Stone, Wynonna, Kid Rock, Josh Gracin, as well as Hill, Rimes, Loggins, McDonald, LaBelle, Rascal Flatts, Many others. On movie soundtracks for Chicken Little, Evan Almighty, Herbie Fully Loaded, The Prince of Egypt, We Were Soldiers, Kissing Jessica Stein, Anastasia, Cheyenne. Also TV music for Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, Lois and Clark. Leader of 17-piece R&B band Tim Akers & The Smoking Section. With Ben Nye founded AHP Records soul band Hubcap Moses.

LINDA GAYLE DENNY, 77, died Sept. 2.
Owner of booking agency Country Music Spectacular. Daughter of Opry manager & Cedarwood Music’s Country Music Hall of Famer Jim Denny (1911-1963), sister of former music publishers John Denny (1940-2020) & Bill Denny, aunt of real estate & publishing exec Kurt Denny. Business partner of singer-songwriter Margie Singleton.

JOYCE MILSAP, 81, died Sept. 6.
The “eyes” of superstar Ronnie Milsap, her husband. She was his unofficial manager, A&R consultant and career advisor and his unquestionable champion and muse.

STAN MORESS, 83, died Sept. 6.
Renowned manager of Eddie Rabbitt, Tammy Wynette, Roger Miller, K.T. Oslin, Lorrie Morgan, Don Williams, Clint Black, Mindy McCreedy, Ronnie Milsap, Donna Summer, at various times. Led Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine from Florida nightclubs to international acclaim. Later a partner in The Consortium, offering management/direction/consulting to Sherrie Austin, Joe Diffie, Tammy Cochrane, Mandy Barnett, Catherine Britt, more. Helped launch Broken Bow Records. Also involved in publicity, A&R work. Mentor to many, including Clarence Spalding, Al Schltz. Former CMA board member.

DON MADDOX, 98, died Sept. 12.
Last surviving member of pioneering honky-tonk & rockabilly band The Maddox Brothers & Rose. Group popularized flashy rhinestoned “Nudie” suits as country-star attire, recorded hillbilly versions of R&B hits, created wildly entertaining, manic stage show. Hugely popular, particularly on West Coast 1937-56. Recorded for 4-Star, Columibia. Biggest hit Woody Guthrie’s “Philadelphia Lawyer” 1949. Known as “Don Juan,” the group’s fiddler & comic. Performing siblings were Cliff (1912-1949), Cal (1915-1968), Fred (1919-1992), Don (1922-2021), Rose (1925-1998) & Henry (1928-1974), who replaced deceased Cliff. After breakup, Rose went solo with a dozen top-20 country hits. Don reemerged as solo act 1990s. Opened for Big & Rich 2005, performed at festivals 2010-12, appeared on Marty Stuart’s TV show & record album, earned standing ovation at Opry, featured in “Bakersfield” exhibit at Country Music Hall of Fame 2012-14, headlined at Vegas Rockabilly festival 2014, showcased in Ken Burns PBS Country Music documentary 2019, recorded three solo albums.

BARRY BAIRD, 62, died Sept. 12.
Former Sales Manager at gospel’s Benson Company who became VP at Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins Christian Publishing.

GEORGE WEIN, 95, died Sept. 13.
Founder of Newport Folk Festival, which brought country stars to collegiate audiences. Johnny Cash, Flatt & Scruggs, Highwomen with Dolly Parton, Stanley Brothers, Maybelle Carter, Jim & Jesse, Kris Kristofferson, New Grass Revival, Emmylou Harris, Bill Monroe, Old Crow Medicine Show, Wanda Jackson, Roy Acuff, Rodney Crowell, Grandpa Jones, Alison Krauss, Merle Travis, Everly Brothers, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Doc Watson, Cousin Emmy, Carl Perkins, among those who showcased. Wein also founded Newport Jazz Festival (1954), becoming the patriarch of all multi-day outdoor music festivals. Recording Academy Trustees Award 2015 for Lifetime Achievement.

BARRY SIEBEL JR., 74, died Sept. 14.
Veteran, 26-year, Music Row employee at BMI (1978-2004) who was the “life of the party” on the fifth floor. Self-dubbed “The Original B.S.”

JOHN RIGGS, 80, died Sept. 17.
Country singer-songwriter. Noted as the right-hand man to WSM radio star Ralph Emery in 1960s, 1970s. Songs recorded by Conway & Loretta (“How High Can You Build a Fire”), George Jones (“Getting Over the Storm,” later covered by UB40), Red Jenkins, Dave Dudley, Billy Walker, Mel Street (“Forbidden Angel”), Jim Mundy, Red Simpson, Charley Pride, Barbara Fairchild, Nashville Superpickers, Liz Lyndell, etc. Memoir: A Songwriter’s Journey With Nashville Stars (2017).

BOB MOORE, 88, died Sept. 22.
Musicians Hall of Fame member. Prolifically recorded Nashville sessions bass player, a member of the fabled A-Team that put Music City on the map as a recording center. Played on more than 17,000 records, including such classics as Patsy’s “I Fall to Pieces,” Kenny Rogers “The Gambler,” Loretta’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Marty Robbins “El Paso,” Brenda’s “I’m Sorry,” Conway’s “Hello Darlin,’” Roger Miller’s “King of the Road,” Elvis’ “Are You Lonesome Tonight,” Sammi Smith’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” Nashville native began career as pre-teen on WSIX radio. On the road at age 15, performing with Jamup & Honey, Paul Howard, Jimmy Dickens, Cowboy Copas, Flatt & Scruggs. In Red Foley house band on TV’s Ozark Jubilee. Rockabilly pioneer on sessions for Elvis, Orbison, Brenda, Wanda, Johnny Burnette, Bobby Helms, Gene Vincent. Countless country sessions – Eddy Arnold, Ernest Tubb, Kitty, Faron, Webb Lefty, Floyd Tillman, Chet, Cash, Tom T., Jerry Lee, Carl Perkins, Connie Smith, George Jones, Willie, Waylon, Don Gibson, Ray Price, Stonewall, Wilburns, Donna Fargo, John Anderson, etc., plus pop acts Bobby Darin, Connie Francis, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, George Burns, more. Partner with Fred Foster in Monument label. Led the Bob Moore Orchestra in 1961 international instrumental hit “Mexico” on Monument. Sound prefigured Herb Alpert & Tijuana Brass. Also recorded his band for Hickory. A-Team inducted into Musicians Hall of Fame 2007. Father of cult-fave singer/songwriter R. Stevie Moore and of vocalist Linda Moore in all-female country group Calamity Jane.

SUE THOMPSON, 96, died Sept. 23.
Western-swing singer turned “teen” pop star of the 1960s. While signed to the Acuff-Rose affiliated label Hickory Records in Nashville, Thomson scored big pop hits with “Sad Movies” (1961), “Norman” (1962), “James (Hold the Ladder Steady)” (1962) and “Paper Tiger” (1965). With a pert bright quality in her voice that made her sound much younger than a 36-year-old, Thompson became a “teen” pop star in 1961 with the whimpering ballad “Sad Movies.” She also appeared on Hullabaloo, Shindig, American Bandstand, Where the Action Is, Hollywood A Go-Go and other pop TV shows.

KEN SEAMAN, 79, died Sept. 23.
Banjo player with Bluegrass Patriots (1980-2011). Promoter of Midwinter Bluegrass Festival in Colorado (1986-present), Ozark Mountain Bluegrass Festival in Missouri (1990-2005).

COMMANDER CODY, 77, died Sept. 26.
Novelty band leader noted for retro country, rockabilly, western swing, boogie-woogie. Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen scored with remakes of “Hot Rod Lincoln” (1972), “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! That Cigarette” (1973), “Don’t Let Go” (1975), “Best Me Daddy Eight to the Bar” (1972). Band appeared in 1976 movie Hollywood Boulevard & TV series Police Woman and was subject of 1977 book Star Making Machinery. Also noted as award winning video/film maker & painter. (real name: George Frayne).

McDONALD CRAIG, 90, died Sept. 26.
Black country traditionalist. Specialized in Jimmie Rodgers music. In 1978, became first and only Black winner of annual talent contest staged during Jimmie Rodgers Days in Meridian, MS. Began career in fiddling father Newt Craig’s family string band, a favorite at square dances in West Tennessee in 1940s. Solo singles in 1960s. Solo CDs in 2001 (Yodeling McDonald Craig), 2002 (McDonald Craig Sings Traditional Country Music). Tennessee State Legislature commendation as “Legendary Country Music Performer” 2009.

BETTY AMOS, 87, died Sept. 30.
Country singer, banjo player, songwriter noted for tenure in The Carlisles (1951-54), performing on hits “Too Old to Cut the Mustard” (1952), “No Help Wanted” (1953), “Knothole” (1953), “Iz Zat You Myrtle” (1953). Solo artist on Mercury (1954-56) and on KWKH Louisiana Hayride (1954-57). Toured with Elvis 1955. Formed “all-girl band” The Rhythm Queens (1960-70) with sister Jean (bass) and “Judy Lee” (Alice Schreiber, lead guitar). Group recorded for Starday (“Franklin County Moonshine,” “Eighteen Wheels a-Rolling”). Wrote “Second Fiddle” hit for Jean Shepard (1964). Songs also recorded by Loretta, Tubb, Willis Brothers, Bonnie Owens, Valerie Smith. In 1970s, Betty Amos Show featured reunions with Judy Lee. Later published romance novel Wayward and Searching & performed with Hendersonville band The Nashville Kit Kats.

JIM LIGHTMAN, 57, died Oct. 3.
Grammy-nominated Nashville recording engineer. Credits include Rissi Palmer, Confederate Railroad, Hank Williams III, Jim Horn, BarlowGirl, India.Arie, Jack Ingram, etc. Also session guitarist on projects by Tim Montana, Darren Hincks, Brandon Desayer, Tim Wilson, more.

RON “SNAKE” REYNOLDS, 76, died Oct. 5.
Musicians Hall of Fame member. Renowned studio engineer worked on more than 100 million-selling albums & 60 No. 1 hits – George, Tammy, Toby, Elton, Charlie Rich, Keith Urban, Dave Loggins, Elvis Costello, Earl Thomas Conley, etc., including Shania’s 12-million-selling The Woman in Me. Also producer for Merle, Marcy Brothers, Tony Joe White, more. Songs recorded by John Anderson, Sonny James, Johnny Cash, Neal McCoy, Levon Helm, Johnny Rodgriguez, Billy Joe Royal, others. Began career as artist on Nugget Records 1965. Staff engineer for Columbia Records 1972-83. Freelance thereafter. Many Grammys. ACM Engineer of Year 2004. Lifetime Achievement Award from Audio Engineering Society & Musicians Hall of Fame induction 2016.

JUNE GLASER, 82, died Oct. 11.
Bookkeeper for WSM, WSMV-TV, National Life, & Grand Ole Opry. Office manager for Music Row’s “Hillbilly Central” studio where country’s “outlaw” aesthetic was born. Widow of Glaser Brothers leader and solo hit maker Tompall Glaser (1933-2013). (full name: Dorothy June Johnson Glaser).

BILL EWIN JR., 88, died Oct. 12.
Radio producer. Began career at NPR/PBS affiliate in Miami. Executive at USDA in D.C. Co-owner of WAKM in Franklin, TN. Also an actor with parts in TV series and commercials in Nashville.

KERRY LaFONNE HAY, 89, died Oct. 13.
Owner of Virginia’s Hay Holler Records. Bluegrass label with releases by Gibson Brothers, Lost Highway, Goins Brothers, Herschel Sizemore, Gillis Brothers, Sand Mountain Boys, Big Country Bluegrass, Wayne Henderson, etc. Also innovative TNN TV packages.

PHIL LEADBETTER, 59, died Oct. 14.
Bluegrass resophonic guitar master. Three solo albums, Filibuster (1999), IBMA instrumental-award winning Slide Effects (2005), The Next Move (2014). Plus Swing for the Fences (2020), billed as by Phil Leadbetter & The All-Stars of Bluegrass. Also backed Grandpa Jones, Vern Gosdin, J.D. Crowe, Two albums with Crowe (1994, 1999). Three albums as co-founder of Wildfire. Two albums as co-founder of Grasstowne. Three-time winner of IBMA Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year. Gibson launched Phil Leadbetter Series Dobro Guitar 2003. COVID pandemic victim.

JOE PALMACCIO, 56, died Oct. 16.
Grammy winning mastering engineer. Worked at Bonneville Broadcasting, PolyGram Records, Sterling Sound, Sony Music Studios. Grammys for historical reissues The Complete Hank Williams (1998), Martin Scorses Presents The Blues (2003), Night Train to Nashville: Music City’s Rhythm & Blues (2004), Bill Withers: The Complete Sussex & Columbia Albums (2014). Recent clients Keith Urban, Eagles, BeBe Winans, Gwen Sebastian, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Josh Kelly, David Cook. Founded The Place For Mastering in Nashville 2006. Joined Sony Music Nashville 2019 as A&R Administrator, archiving label’s masters. Audio hardware design consultant, musical instrument craftsman, public speaker, musician, adjunct instructor at Belmont. Ebullient personality widely loved. Leadership Music class 2011.

RONNIE TUTT, 83, died Oct. 16.
Drummer best known as founding member of Elvis’s TCB Band (1969-1977). Also worked with Cash, Stevie Nicks, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Orbison, Carpenters, Billy Joel, Jerry Garcia, Elvis Costello, many others.

ROMAN SETH GRIFFIN, 32, died Oct. 19.
Nashville-bred film and video producer/director. Music videos for Alyssa Bonagura, Dustin Tavella, Jessie James Decker, Raquel Castro. Many documentary films, commercials, TV pilots, features. Also an actor in movie Beneath the Blue.

JIM ZERFACE, 81, died Oct. 23.
Country songwriter with cuts by Mel McDaniel, Cimarron, Tanya Tucker, Larry Stephenson Band, Roy Clark, George Burns, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Clark, Donna Fargo, Perry Como, etc. Usually collaborating with brother Bill Zerface and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Bob Morrison, he co-wrote the top-10 hits “Angels, Roses and Rain” for Dickey Lee (1976), “(You Lift Me) Up to Heaven for Reba (1980), “You’d Make an Angel Want t Cheat” for Kendalls (1980). Nashville public school administrator for 27 years.

SONNY OSBORNE, 83, died Oct. 24.
Osborne Brothers banjo great. Bluegrass Hall of Fame (1994). Grand Ole Opry cast (1964-2004), National Heritage award from NEA (1997), CMA Vocal Group of the Year (1971). Hits included “Once More” (with Red Allen, 1958), “Roll Muddy River” (1967), “Rocky Top” (1968), “Tennessee Hound Dog” (1969), “Ruby Are You Mad” (1970), “Midnight Flyer” (1973), “Blue Heartache” (1973), “I Can Hear Kentucky Calling Me” (1980). Began career age 12 on local Ohio radio & on disc with sister Louise. Joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys 1952 & recorded “The Little Girl & The Dreadful Snake,” “Memories of Mothers & Dad” with them. Joined forces with older brother Bobby to form Osborne Brothers 1953. Team worked for Jimmy Martin, Charlie Bailey, Red Allen & recorded for RCA, MGM. Signed by Wilburn Brothers who brought them to Decca and the Opry 1964. Sonny modernized band’s sound with electrified instruments, complex vocal arrangements, dynamic banjo style. “Rocky Top” named a Tennessee State Song 1982, became “fight song” for UTK. Osbornes played on records by Conway Twitty, Carl Smith, Charley Pride, Wade Ray, Jethro Burns, Mac Wiseman, Gary Burton. Sonny also a record producer for Pinnacle Boys, Virginia Squires, Terry Eldredge, Dale Ann Bradley. Own line of banjos, branded with his nickname “Chief.” Brothers first bluegrass act to play on college campus (1960) & invited to perform at The White House (1973). Retired from performing 2004; Bobby continued on Opry with Rocky Top X-Press band.

ROSE LEE MAPHIS, 98, died Oct. 26.
Country singer, songwriter, guitarist best known in duet Joe & Rose Lee Maphis with hotshot guitarist husband Joe (“The King of the Strings”). Billed as “Mr. & Mrs. Country Music, they cowrote and sang honky-tonk classic “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (and Loud, Loud Music)” (1953). Duo recorded for OKeh, Columbia, Capitol, Mosrite, Chart, Starday, CMH. Her solo LP on Columbia (1960). Began career as “Rose of the Mountains” age 15 on radio in Hagerstown, MD. Joined “all girl” band Saddle Sweethearts. Formed duo with Mary Klick 1948 & joined “Old Dominion Barn Dance” on WRVA/CBS network. Married Joe Maphis (1921-1986) on West Coast 1952. Starred on “Town Hall Party” radio & TV series in L.A. Mentor/mother figure to Lorrie Collins, Barbara Mandrell. Moved to Nashville 1968. Following Joe’s death, became seamstress in Opryland costume department and greeter at Country Music Hall of Fame. “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke” revived by dozens, including Dwight, Flying Burrito Brothers (with Gram Parsons), Conway, New Riders of Purple Sage, Flatt & Scruggs, Daryle Singletary, Tom T., Prine, Larry Sparks, Frankie Miller, Mandrell, Tennessee Ernie, Benny Martin & Bobby Osborne, Vern Gosdin, Derailers, IIIrd Tyme Out, Skaggs, Porter, Jack Ingram, Marty Stuart. Mother of musician Jody Maphis.

DOUG NICHOLS, 65, died Oct. 31.
Artist manager, musician, songwriter. Co-managed Rascal Flatts 2000-2011. Also worked with Johnny Paycheck, Brooks & Dunn, Nicolette Larson.

ARCH BISHOP III, 72, died Nov. 6.
Nashville publicist for Tennessee Repertory Theater, among other clients. Later in real estate.

SUDIE CALLAWAY, 87, died Nov. 10.
Music Row session singer for five decades. Backed superstars Strait, Dolly, Porter, Mel Tillis, Marty Robbins, many others. Played bass & sang on the road with several country stars. Appeared on Opry, recorded solo singles for labels Re-Von (1964), Musicor (1968), Avenue South (1969-70). Appeared in movies Music City USA (1966), W.W. & The Dixie Dance Kings (1975), Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Harper Valley P.T.A. (1978). Formerly on Renfro Valley Barn Dance, Detroit’s WJR (with Casey Clark & The Lazy Ranch Boys), Knoxville’s WVOL (with Cas Walker). Wife of steel guitarist Jim Baker. Aunt of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Matraca Berg.

RENEE GRANT-WILLIAMS, 78, died Nov. 12.
Famed Nashville vocal coach. Worked with Faith, Tim, Garth, Chicks, Carrie, Jason Aldean, Ronstadt, Miley Cyrus, Christina Aguilera, Huey Lewis, many more. Public-speaking trainer. Motivational speaker. Educator. Book: Voice Power: Using Your Voice to Captivate, Persuade and Command Attention (2002).

LARRY WILSON, 52, died Nov. 14.
Former Bridgestone promoter of Garth Brooks shows, Dove Awards, etc. in Nashville. Helped create “A Concert for Charlottesville” in wake of people killed at racial unity rally. Later V.P. of Operations for Jacksonville Jaguars.

JASON MOORE, 47, died Nov. 21.
Bluegrass bass player in Sideline, the group that won the IBMA Song of the Year in 2019 for its hit single “Thunder Dan.” Formerly in Mountain Heart and The James King Band.

ESTELLE CONDRA, 79, died Nov. 27.
Nashville actor/playwright/author. Founded drama school Imagination Station. Plays include autobiographical Caged, Blind People Shouldn’t Vacuum & Annie Sullivan saga Vibrations of Laughter. Award-winning children’s book Ocean. Performed at Lincoln Center, Tennessee Rep, Wolf Trap, Kennedy Center, Nashville Institute for the Arts, etc., despite being blind.

H. JACKSON BROWN JR., 81, died Nov. 30.
Songwriter, author, ad exec, BMI rep. During 30-year agency career, created hundreds of ad jingles for car dealerships, groceries, banks, restaurants, political candidates. Launched voice-over career of DJ Casey Kasem. Wrote 20+ inspirational books, including mega-hit Life’s Little Instruction Book, No. 1 for a year on NY Times Best Seller list. Also: A Father’s Book of Wisdom & P.S. I Love You. Books spawned calendars, posters, journals, greeting cards & fortune cookies.

GARY SCRUGGS, 72, died Dec. 1.
Producer, songwriter, instrumentalist. Began career in Scruggs Brothers with sibling Randy Scruggs (1953-2018) via two LPs in 1969-70. Both formed Earl Scruggs Revue 1969-82 with brother Steve Scruggs (1958-1992) and legendary dad Earl Scruggs (1924-2012). Subsequently had long tenure in Waylon Jennings band The Waylors & produced his records. BMI songwriter awards for “Call on Me” (Tanya Tucker 1989), “Long Shot” (Baillie & The Boys 1989) & “Right Hand Man” (Eddy Raven 1987 ). Songs also recorded by Dolly (“Country Road”), Garth (“Pushin’ Up Daisies”), Patty (“Long Stretch of Lonesome”), Steve Martin (“Daddy Played the Banjo”), Bogguss, Wopat, Reba, Oaks, Vince, Dirt Band, Fairfield Four, Jon Randall, Marie Osmond, Del McCoury, Tracy Byrd, John Anderson, etc. Grammy in 2001 for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” recording with Earl. Session musician for dozens, including Dylan, Dolly, Byrds, Rosanne, Vince, Doc Watson, Joan Baez, Charlie Daniels, more. He and father Earl coauthored revised, enhanced and updated version of classic book Earl Scruggs and the 5-String Banjo. Also son of bluegrass promoter/ manager/ publicist Louise Scruggs (1927-2006).

NEIL FLANZ, 83, died Dec. 2.
Steel guitarist noted for tenure in The Fallen Angels, backing Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris, then extensive sojourn in Nashville as member of Joe Sun’s recording & touring band Shotgun. Also a regular with the top bands on Lower Broadway. Began career in native Canada with 1962-64 LPs His Nashville Steel & Get on the Star Route, plus touring with Dusty King, Jack Kingston, Gary Buck, etc. Many recording sessions.

WOODY WOODELL, 91, died Dec. 2.
Steel guitarist who toured with top country stars in 1960s. Also owned Benchcraft Electronics in Goodlettsville. (Full name: Melyear S. Woodell).

STONEWALL JACKSON, 89, died Dec. 4.
Grand Ole Opry star. In 1958-1973, placed 44 singles on country charts, including 18 top-20 hits. Made history by signing as Opry cast member 1956 without recording contract or hit record. Debut chart hit “Life to Go” 1958. Shot to top of pop & country charts with “Waterloo” 1959. Hits “Smoke Along the Track” (1959) & “Mary Don’t You Weep” (1960) led to self-penned “Why I’m Walkin’” (1960) as second major smash. “Newcomer” awards from Billboard, Cash Box, Record World. Appeared on American Bandstand, headlined at Hollywood Bowl. Top-10 with “A Wound Time Can’t Erase,” “”Leona,” “Old Showboat” 1962-63. In 1964, “B.J. the D.J.” rose to No. 1, followed by “Don’t Be Angry.” Latter revived as a big country hit by Donna Fargo 1977. “I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water” (1965), covered by many. Jackson featured in 1965 film Country Music on Broadway. Returned to county top-10 via “Help Stamp Out Loneliness” (1967). First artist to record a live album in Ryman Auditorium. (1971). Returned to country top-10 via country version of Lobo’s pop success “Me and You and a Dog Named Boo” (1971). Cameo appearance in Sweet Dreams 1985 film about Patsy Cline. Portrayed “Dad” in Confederate Railroad 1993 “Trashy Women” video. “Jesus Is My Lifeline” spent four months at No. 1 on Music City News Gospel Voice chart 1996. Jackson & Don Richmond co-wrote song & performed it as duet. Ernest Tubb Memorial Award 1997. His 50th anniversary in Opry cast (2006) commemorated via album featuring 50 guest vocalists (2007). Songs revived by Yoakam, Emmylou, Tubb. Skeeter. Carl Smith, Skaggs, George Hamilton IV, Loretta, Paycheck, Buddy Miller, others. Autobiography From the Bottom Up 1991.

MARGARET EVERLY, 102, died Dec. 6.
Mother of The Everly Brothers. Radio performer in country family act with guitarist-husband Ike Everly (1908-1975) and sons Don Everly (1937-2021) and Phil Everly (1939-2014) on stations in Iowa, Indiana, Tennessee. Booking agent and business manager of group. Brought sons to Nashville.

SCAT SPRINGS, 61, died Dec. 9.
A top studio singers in Nashville. He sang over a thousand jingles and 100 records in gospel, country, soul, bluegrass, and contemporary music. Recorded with Faith Hill, Ronnie Milsap, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Hank Williams Jr., Chaka Kahn, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman. Performed with George Jones, Kid Rock, Garth Brooks, Pattie Labelle, Aretha Franklin, Tim McGraw. (Full name Kenneth Wayne Springs.)

MICHAEL NESMITH, 78, died Dec. 10.
Country-rock pioneer and video visionary who initially gained fame as member of The Monkees in 1965-70. Multi-million-selling group won 1967 Emmy for self-titled TV comedy series. Huge pop hits with “Last Train to Clarksville,” “I’m a Believer,” “Pleasant.Valley Sunday,” “Daydream Believer” etc. Wrote hits for group as well as “Different Drum” for Linda Ronstadt & Stone Ponys (1967), “Some of Shelly’s Blues” for Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1971) , “Mary, Mary” for Butterfield Blues Band (1966) and Run-DMC (2002). Began recording with country musicians in Nashville 1968. Solo hits as First National Band leader “Joanne” (1970), “Silver Moon” (1970), “Nevada Fighter” (1971), “Rio” (1976). These influenced birth of entire West Coast country-rock genre. Made promo film for “Rio,” predicting industry’s wholesale music-video production in 1980s. Created Popclips video TV show 1976, which became MTV. Made Elephant Parts music & comedy show (1981), which won the first-ever video Grammy Award. Produced cult movies Repo Man, Timerider, Tapeheads, Square Dance, plus NBC TV series Television Parts and short films for Saturday Night Live & Fridays. Grammy-nominated for a new-age record 1994. Pioneer in surround-sound recording. Pacific Arts company his record label & the video distributor for PBS (The Civil War, I Claudius, etc.) and other top films. Novelist and a scriptwriter. More than 20 solo LPs. Subject of biography: Total Control: The Monkees Michael Nesmith Story (2005).

VINCENT FERNANDEZ, 81, died Dec. 12.
Multiple Grammy winning, beloved star of ranchera music, Mexico’s cousin to country music. Elegant, embroidered, stylishly costumed vocalist with big hits “El Rey” and “Lastima Que Seas Ajena.” Many U.S. fans thanks to homeland-yearning “Volver, Volver” and “Como Mexico No Hay Dos.”

KEN KRAGEN, 85, died Dec. 14.
Superstar manager, promoter, author, speaker, TV producer, humanitarian. Managed Trisha Yearwood, Travis Tritt, Dottie West, Lionel Richie, Harry Chapin, Olvia Newton-John, Burt Reynolds, Bee Gees, Smothers Brothers and, most famously, Kenny Rogers. Organizer of mega charity events “We Are the World” (USA For Africa, 1985), Hands Across America (1986). Produced TV shows The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (1967-69), Rollin’ on the River (1971-73). Produced many Kenny Rogers TV movies, plus mega hit 12 Dogs of Christmas (2004). Books: Life Is a Contact Sport: Ten Great Career Strategies That Work (1994), On the Road with Harry Chapin (1970).

RANDY JACKSON, 75, died Dec. 21, 2021.
Country manager, agent, promoter, noted for work with Charley Pride, Janie Fricke. Began career on Music Row at Hubert Long Agency, booking Loretta, Conway, others. Road manager for Johnny Rodriguez, then agent at Chardon, Charley Pride’s in-house booking agency in Dallas. Discovered Neil McCoy. Managed and married Janie Fricke. Continued to promote concerts until his passing.

CHUBBY HOWARD, 95, died Dec. 23, 2021.
Steel guitarist who backed Buck, Merle, Connie, Crystal, Loretta, many others in concert. Band member Boxcar Willie 1980s. Renfro Valley house band 1989-99. Duo albums with Shot Jackson in 1971, 1975. Radio & TV broadcaster in Washington state. Steel Guitar Hall of Fame induction 2015. (Full name: Ray V. Howard).

J.D. CROWE, 84, died Dec. 24.
Grammy Award winning Bluegrass Hall of Fame member. Led The New South, a band that fostered the careers of such future stars as Ricky Skaggs, Jerry Douglas, Tony Rice and Keith Whitley. J.D. Crowe was named Banjo Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 1971, 1994 and 2004. He won a Grammy Award in 1983 for his instrumental “Fireball.” Crowe was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2003. The New South album Lefty’s Old Guitar won the IBMA’s Album of the Year award in 2007.

DREW ALEXANDER, 52, died Dec. 31, 2021.
Former head of Curb Music Publishing. With the company 23 years, 1994-2017. During his tenure, Curb earned 87 ASCAP, BMI & SESAC awards. Famously hosted groups of songwriters — Lee Brice, Bill Anderson, Kyle Jacobs, Billy Montana, Kelsea Ballerini, etc. — at writing retreats at family home at Blackberry Farm, at Evins Mill, TN and at Bending Lake in Canada. These sessions resulted in 1,000+ songs, including many hits. Classically trained guitarist who began with company as receptionist. Named publishing v.p. 2010. Later worked with Mike Curb Foundation and own company, Blair Branch Music. Served on boards of Recording Academy, Belmont School of Music, Family & Children’s Service, Community Resource Center, Leadership Music (Treasurer), Tennessee Residence Foundation (Secretary). Notable community volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank, Nashville Rescue Mission, Music Health Alliance, Room at the Inn, others. Son of former TN Governor and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander..

PENNY JACKSON RAGSDALE, 78, died Dec. 31.
Wife of Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Stevens. Passed following a prolonged battle with cancer.

Index:

Akers, Tim – 8/30
Albright, Richie – 2/9
Alexander, Drew – 12/31
Amos, Betty — 9/30
Bailey, Razzy – 8/4
Baird, Barry – 9/12
Beasley, George – 6/2
Beaver, Stan – 1/2
Belford, Pam – 4/29
Berline, Byron – 7/10
Bessman, Jim — 6/22
Bishop, Arch — 11/6
Black, Charlie – 4/23
Blackwell, Dewayne – 5/23
Bradley, Connie – 3/24
Brown, H. Jackson — 11/30
Bruce, Ed – 1/8
Bruce, Patsy – 5/16
Callaway, Sudie — 11/10
Carman – 2/16
Chayne, Tommy – 3/22
Cody, Commander – 9/26
Collins, James Allen – 4/8
Condra, Estelle — 11/27
Cope, Jason – 1/16
Cornelius, Ron – 8/18
Cox, Jimmy – 1/11
Craig, McDonald — 9/26
Cravens, Red – 1/11
Crowe, J.D. – 12/24
Daniel, Wayne – 2/16
Davis, Charlie – 8/25
Dee, Taylor – 3/14
Denny, Linda Gayle – 9/2
Dettwiler, Reudi – 2/2
Dobbins, Clarence – 7/31
Dunne, Nancy – 8/5
Earls, Robb – 3/11
Edwards, Tommy – 5/22
Emerson, Bill – 8/21
Ervin, Tom – 3/17
Everly, Don – 8/21
Everly, Margaret — 12/6
Ewin, Bill – 10/12
Ewing, Ben – 6/27
Farr, Tony – 1/6
Femino, Jim – 8/3
Fernandez, Vincent — 12/12
Flanz, Neil — 12/2
Fletcher, Randy “Baja” – 8/27
Flood, Beth – 2/24
Flowers, Mary – 5/16
Foster, Aaron “Frosty” – 2/10
Garrett, Tommy – 6/7
Glaser, Dennis – 1/21
Glaser, June – 10/11
Grant-Williams, Renee — 11/12
Gray, JT – 3/20
Griffin, Roman Seth — 10/19
Griffith, Nanci – 8/13
Hall, Clarence – 2/4
Hall, Jim – 5/10
Hall, Tom T. – 8/20
Hawkins, Roger – 5/20
Hay, Kerry — 10/13
Hickman, John Mitchel – 5/11
Hill, Dusty – 7/27
Hobbs, Ronnie – 6/15
Howard, Chubbie – 12/23
Hutchinson, Robert – 8/2
Ivy, Cotton – 5/25
Jackson, Duffy – 3/3
Jackson, Nisha – 2/23
Jackson, Randy – 12/21
Jackson, Stonewall — 12/4
Jacobs, Robert Doyle – 3/28
Joyner, Wilbur “Anthony” – 7/13
Kahan, Martin – 7/18
Karp, Craig – 8/15
Kennedy, Gene – 4/1
Kragen, Ken — 12/14
Leadbetter, Phil – 10/14
Lee, Lisa – 8/21
LeGarde, Tom – 7/31
Lightman, Jim – 10/3
Lisenby, Jeff – 1/6
Lord, Shirley Lee – 8/22
Lunsford, Frances – 7/5
McPeake, Curtis – 2/20
Maddox, Don – 9/12
Malone, Kenny – 8/26
Maphis, Rose Lee – 10/26
Martin, Randy Lee – 5/12
Miller, Barbara – 4/2
Milsap, Joyce – 9/6
Mitchell, Bob – 1/26
Moore, Bob – 9/22
Moore, Jason — 11/21
Moress, Stan – 9/6
Morgan, Misty – 1/1
Morris, Norma – 8/20
Neal, David C. – 3/10
Nesmith, Michael — 12/10
Nichols, Doug — 10/31
Nitchie, Spencer – 8/6
O’Hara, Jamie – 1/7
Osborne, Sonny – 10/24
Ostroushko, Peter – 2/24
Owens, Bill – 4/7
Palmaccio, Joe – 10/16
Parton, Randy – 1/21
Patton, Rip – 8/24
Payne, Dennis – 4/8
Pearl, Ed – 2/7
Peva, Jim – 5/5
Phillips, Buster – 5/26
Ragsdale, Penny Jackson – 12/31
Reynolds, Ron “Snake” – 10/5
Riggs, John – 9/17
Robin, Lou – 5/18
Ross, Bishop Robert – 5/16
Ross, Marvin – 3/8
Runkle, Bill – 1/7
Scruggs, Gary — 12/1
Seaman, Ken — 9/23
Sexton, Lee – 2/10
Sheridan, Larry – 6/19
Siebel, Barry – 9/14
Smith, Andy – 3/28
Smith, Jerry – 6/6
Spears, Wayne – 8/22
Spencer, John – 1/11
Springs, Scat – 12/9
Starr, Tom – 1/12
Stevens, Tom – 1/23
Tankersley, Brian – 2/5
Thomas, B.J. – 5/29
Thompson, Sue — 9/23
Trenworth, Colleen Bain – 1/24
Tribble, Kim – 8/25
Tubb, Glenn Douglas – 5/22
Tucker, Don – 1/21
Tutt, Ronnie – 10/16
Valentine, Phil – 8/21
Weatherly, Jim – 2/3
Wein, George – 9/13
West, Tommy – 5/2
White, James – 1/24
Whitehead, Scott – 3/12
Willoughby, Larry – 1/14
Wilson, Larry — 11/14
Woodell, Woody — 12/2
Wyatt, Charles – 8/6
Young, Rusty – 4/14
Zerface, Jim – 10/23
Zimmerman, Phil – 4/16

For 2020 obits, including for those lost during the holidays last year, click here.

Former Grand Ole Opry Drummer Jerry Ray Johnston Passes

Music Industry Veteran Jerry Crutchfield Passes

Songwriting Titan Dallas Frazier Dies

“Dean Of Country Broadcasters” Ralph Emery Passes

Manager, Agent & Promoter Randy Jackson Passes

Big Daddy Weave’s Jay Weaver Passes Away Due To COVID-19 Complications

Nashville Music Publishing Veteran, Drew Alexander, Dies At 52

Penny Jackson Ragsdale, Wife Of Ray Stevens, Passes Away At 78

Bluegrass Great J.D. Crowe Passes

Nashville-Related Music Obituaries 2021

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter