Guitar Icon Duane Eddy Passes

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Duane Eddy. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s archive

Rock ’n’ roll Hall of Fame member Duane Eddy has died at age 86.

The Grammy Award-winning instrumentalist was famed for a series of reverb-heavy, twang-drenched recordings of the 1950s and 1960s. Easily the most prominent of the early rock guitarists, he influenced hundreds of stylists, including Georg Harrison, The Ventures, The Shadows, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Bruce Springsteen and Ry Cooder. A Nashville resident for more than 40 years, Duane Eddy was the most successful solo rock instrumentalist in history.

He was born in Corning, New York in 1938 and was playing guitar by the age of five. He debuted on local radio when he was 10. In 1951, the family moved to Arizona. Four years later, he began working with producer Lee Hazelwood, who shaped his distinctive style. Long before Hazelwood discovered Gram Parsons and worked with everyone from Nancy Sinatra to Ann Margret, Duane Eddy was the star maker’s first project.

Eddy and Hazelwood had their first recording session in 1956. Working in Phoenix, they crafted “Movin’ N Groovin,” “Rebel Rouser,” “Ramrod” and “Cannonball,” all of which hit the pop charts in 1958. Late that year, Have Twangy Guitar Will Travel was issued as Eddy’s debut LP.

His distinctive sound incorporated reverb-enhanced melodies played on the bass guitar strings, hand claps, rebel yells and saxophone wailing. His shy demeanor and striking good looks made him a teen heartthrob. Rock ‘n’ roll kingmaker Dick Clark featured him on his national American Bandstand TV series more than any other artist. He also put Eddy on the road in his famous “Caravan of Stars” rock ’n’ roll touring troupes. Unknown to the guitarist, Clark had a financial interest in Jamie Records, Eddy’s label.

Eddy’s band The Rebels featured such standouts as Al Casey, Steve Douglas, Jim Horn, Larry Knechtel, Plas Johnson and pioneering female instrumentalist Corky Casey. All of them later became topnotch L.A. session musicians.

Beginning in 1959, Duane Eddy’s records were massive successes in England, usually surpassing their U.S. chart peaks. “The Lonely Ones,” “Yep,” “Peter Gunn Theme,” “Forty Miles of Bad Road,” “The Quiet Three,” “Some Kind-a Earthquake” and “First Love, First Tears” all became U.K. hits that year, as did his second LP, Especially For You.

In an era when few teen artists issued LPs, Duane Eddy stood out. In 1960, he issued The Twang’s the Thang, his groundbreaking “unplugged” album Songs of Our Heritage and $1,000,000 Worth of Twang. The following year’s LP was Girls! Girls! Girls!, featuring him posing on the jacket with teen queens Brenda Lee and Annette. The hit singles continued with “Bonnie Came Back,” “Kommotion” and “Shazam!” The last named was drawn from the soundtrack of the Tuesday Weld movie Because They’re Young. Eddy also scored a hit with the film’s title tune. In addition, Duane Eddy and The Rebels appeared in Because They’re Young.

He moved to Los Angeles. Film soundtrack work continued with 1961’s “Ring of Fire,” which became a U.K. hit. It was the title tune of a David Janssen movie, which the guitarist scored. Some of his biggest hits were drawn from film or TV soundtracks, including Peter Gunn, Pepe, Gidget Goes Hawaiian and The Ballad of Palladin (Have Gun Will Travel).

In addition to 1960’s Because They’re Young, Duane Eddy appeared in A Thunder of Drums (1961), The Wild Westerners (1962), The Savage Seven (1968), The Kona Coast (1968) and Sing a Country Song (1973). He also appeared in two episodes of the hit TV western series Have Gun Will Travel.

In 1962, he married Phoenix singer-songwriter Miriam Johnson, his second wife. Following their 1968 divorce, she became Jessi Colter, married Waylon Jennings, moved to Nashville and had hits including 1975’s “I’m Not Lisa.”

Duane Eddy’s flurry of albums of the early 1960s included Twistin’ and Twangin’ (1962), Twangy Guitar Silky Strings (1962), $1,000,000 Worth of Twang Vol. 2 (1962), Twistin’ With Duane Eddy (1962), In Person (1963), Twangin’ Up a Storm (1963), Surfin’ With Duane Eddy (1963), Lonely Guitar (1964), Water Skiing (1964) and Twangin’ the Golden Hits (1964).

“Theme From Dixie,” “Drivin’ Home” and “My Blue Heaven” closed out his tenure with Jamie Records. He signed with RCA. The label teamed him with The Rebelettes (actually Darlene Love & The Blossoms), and he enjoyed a sting of 1962-63 singles with “Dance With the Guitar Man,” “Boss Guitar,” “Lonely Boy, Lonely Guitar” and “Your Baby’s Gone Surfin.’”

He also embarked on a series of “theme” albums. These included Twang a Country Song (1963), Duane A Go Go Go (1965), Duane Eddy Does Bob Dylan (1965) and The Roaring Twangies (1967).

By the close of the 1960s, Duane Eddy had placed 30 titles on the pop charts and had sold an estimated 100 million records worldwide. In 1972, he joined B.J. Thomas and The Blossoms on the hit single “Rock and Roll Lullaby.” The following year, he produced Phil Everly’s album Star Spangled Springer,” which contained the future Hollies hit “The Air That I Breathe.”

In 1975, Eddy scored a huge international hit with “Play Me Like You Play Your Guitar.” In 1977, he appeared on the country charts with “You Are My Sunshine,” featuring vocals by Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kin Vassy and his wife, Deed Eddy. In the wake of this encouragement, the couple moved to Nashville.

Duane Eddy returned to touring in the 1980s. His band at the time featured his admirer Ry Cooder on guitar. In 1986, a version of “Peter Gunn” recorded with The Art of Noise became an international hit and earned him a Grammy Award. His 1987 comeback album included appearances by Cooder, Paul McCartney, Jeff Lynne, John Fogerty, George Harrison, James Burton, David Lindley and Steve Cropper.

During the 1990s, Duane Eddy’s music appeared on the soundtracks of such prominent films as Forrest Gump, Natural Born Killers, Broken Arrow, Milk Money and Scream 2. His guitar collaboration with Doc Watson earned a country Grammy nomination in 1995.

Duane Eddy was inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. His influence continued when the Gretsch Guitar Company issued its Duane Eddy 6120 Signature Model, based on his specifications, in 1998. The Paul Revera Company issued its Duane Eddy Model amplifier the following year. In 2004, Guitar Player magazine honored the guitar superstar with its Legend Award. In 2008, he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame. Eddy appeared at the 2014 Stagecoach festival. Nashville admirer Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys) enlisted Duane Eddy for his 2017 solo album Waiting on a Song.

The legendary guitarist died on Tuesday, April 30, after a battle with cancer. He survived by his wife Deed Abbate Eddy and by four children, five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Tom Foote, Longtime Road Manager For George Strait, Passes

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Tom Foote

Longtime road manager for George Strait, Tom Foote, has passed away. His passing tragically comes a little over a month after Strait and his band suffered two losses on the same day when his longtime manager Erv Woolsey and his fiddle and mandolin player Gene Elders both died.

Foote first met Strait back in 1975 when his band posted a flyer looking for a singer at Southwest Texas State University. Strait, an agriculture major just back from a stint serving in the Army, auditioned, and the rest is history. The band became Strait’s Ace In The Hole Band and he and Foote became lifelong friends and business partners. As former drummer for the band, Foote transitioned to Strait’s tour manager in 1983.

 

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“We were a bunch of kids back then,” Foote told the Lexington Herald Leader in 2010. “I was 23 and I think George was 24, maybe. We were playing local beer joints and dance halls and really did that for the better part of six years until he got his record deal with MCA. In fact, until George had his record deal, we had never played outside of Texas. It was a really great time. Some of my favorite memories were when we first started.”

Foote had other ties to the music business as well. His uncle was writer Horton Foote, best known for his screenplays for To Kill A Mockingbird and Tender Mercies.

“We lost another one of our good friends and a huge part of our musical journey yesterday,” Strait wrote on Instagram about the loss of his dear friend. “Tom Foote, our one-time drummer and long-time road manager for around 48 years, suddenly passed away at his home after our rehearsal. The band and I were with him most of the afternoon and he was great. Just doing what he loved to do which was making sure we were taken care of. 2024 is taking its toll on the Ace in the Hole group. We’re all heartbroken to say the least. Rest in peace brother Tom. You will be hugely missed. I’ll see you down the road amigo.”

Funeral arrangements for Foote have not yet been announced.

Grammy-Winning Christian Artist, Mandisa, Passes At 47

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Mandisa

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

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

 

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

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

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

Allman Brothers Band Founding Member Dickey Betts Passes Away

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Dickey Betts. Photo: Kirk West Photography

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

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

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

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

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

Gabe Patillo, Former TobyMac Diverse City Member, Passes

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Gabe Patillo

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

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

 

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

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

Bucky Wilkin Of Ronny & The Daytonas Passes

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Bucky Wilkin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Norah Lee Allen

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

Duane and Norah Lee Allen

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

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

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

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

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

Veteran Music Manager Erv Woolsey Passes Away At 80

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Details on arrangements will be shared at a future date.

Music Row Photographer Steve Lowry Dies

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Steve Lowry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photographer Anthony Scarlati Passes

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Anthony Scarlati

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

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

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

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

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

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

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