Banjo Great & ‘Hee Haw’ Star Roni Stoneman Passes

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Roni Stoneman. Photo: Courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Roni Stoneman, a member of the CMA Award-winning group The Stonemans and a longtime comedian and musician on the country television show Hee Haw, has died at age 85.

Born Veronica Loretta Stoneman in 1938, she was the youngest daughter of Country Music Hall of Fame member Ernest V. “Pop” Stoneman (1893-1968). He and his wife Hattie Frost Stoneman (1900-1976) had 23 children, 15 of whom survived to adulthood and seven of whom formed a family band with him. Pop Stoneman was one of country music’s pioneers of the 1920s. He faced hard times during the 1930s, then began rebuilding his career with his children.

Roni Stoneman was raised by her parents to become a country music professional. At around age 9, she joined the family act in 1947, which was initially billed as Pop Stoneman and His Little Pebbles. Three of the children became renowned for their instrumental talents. Roni perfected three-finger bluegrass banjo. Donna excelled at “cross picking” mandolin. Scotty Stoneman (1932-1973) was a five-time national fiddle champion who was regarded as one of country music’s great fiddlers before dying of alcoholism.

In 1957, Roni Stoneman, age 19, was tapped to play on American Banjo: Tunes & Songs in Scruggs Style. This is now regarded as the first bluegrass album. During the early 1960s, The Stonemans became wildly popular on folk and bluegrass festival stages, playing everywhere from the Monterey Folk Festival to the Smithsonian Institution.

She and The Stonemans began recording for Starday Records in 1962. In 1965, The Stonemans relocated to Nashville, where they were guided by Jack Clement on a series of albums for MGM and RCA. In 1966, the group landed its own syndicated TV series, Those Stonemans, and became the long-running headline act at The Black Poodle nightclub in Printer’s Alley. Roni’s solo spot was often the comedic “Dirty Old Egg-Sucking Dog.”

In 1967, The Stonemans won the inaugural CMA Vocal Group of the Year award. After Pop died in 1968, Roni’s autoharp-playing older sister Patsy Stoneman (1925-2015) assumed leadership of the family group. The 1969 Pop Stoneman Memorial Album on MGM contained a gem, a previously recorded Roni Stoneman and Pop Stoneman duet on the folk song “The Mountaineer’s Courtship.” This was one of the last attempts to market old-time music by a major label. On the road, Roni’s comedy and banjo talents, plus Donna’s dancing and mandolin work, continued to define The Stonemans’ showmanship.

Roni left the group for a solo career around 1971. Two years later, she joined the cast of Hee Haw. The show routinely showcased her banjo virtuosity, but she became even more beloved for portraying the braying, gap-teethed, ironing-board harpy “Ida Lee Nagger,” shrieking one liners at her shiftless drunk of a husband, “LaVerne” (Gordie Tapp).

In between annual tapings of the show, Roni Stoneman headlined as a solo act at Disneyworld, entertaining an estimated 250,000 fans there in 1976. She also appeared in the 1975 film W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings starring Burt Reynolds. An acclaimed 1981 double LP titled The First Family of Country Music showcased nine Stoneman siblings, including Roni. Her daughters Barbara and Georgia also appeared on the record, as did the children of her brothers and sisters. She launched her own Roni Stoneman’s Music Park in Kentucky in 1989. It failed, leading to her bankruptcy petition late that year.

Her skits on Hee Haw continued. In addition to her “Ida Lee’ character, she was “Mophead,” the maid in the “Empty Arms Hotel” skits. She also starred in the show’s Hee Haw Banjo Band, demonstrating her picking prowess. Hee Haw became the most successful and longest lived syndicated TV program in history. During her tenure with the show, she recorded solo efforts for the Chart, Dot, Playback and Spin Chek labels. Roni Stoneman remained with Hee Haw until 1991. In 1992, she formed her all-female country band The Daisy Maes. In the 1990s, she worked the bluegrass-festival circuit with her bluegrass group Formal Grass. She divorced the fifth of her abusive husbands during this era.

Sometimes billed as “The First Lady of the Banjo,” Roni Stoneman continued to book solo shows into the early 2000s. She entertained in country nightclubs, on bluegrass festivals and at college campuses. She appeared at the annual International Country Music Conference of academics in Nashville in 2003 and 2012. She recorded a solo CD, Bummin’ Around, and collaborated with sister Donna on The Legend Continues. With sister Patsy, the women also issued The Stoneman Tradition. In 2007, Roni Stoneman published her autobiography, Pressing On. She and her family were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2021.

Roni Stoneman died on Thursday, Feb. 22 surrounded by her children. She had been in hospice care recently. Her death leaves sister Donna, 90, as the original family’s sole survivor. In addition to Donna, Roni Stoneman is survived by five children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Country Hitmaker Toby Keith Dies At 62 After Battle With Cancer

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Toby Keith

Iconic country hitmaker Toby Keith died Monday night (Feb. 5) after a battle with stomach cancer. He was 62.

Keith is one of the biggest country hitmakers of the modern era, with more than 40 million albums sold and 32 No. 1 hits. His legacy includes that of a prolific songwriter, as the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee wrote 26 of his hits and 11 of those alone. Throughout his career, Keith garnered more than 10 billion streams, largely on the strength of his own songwriting and producing, and under the banner of his own record label Show Dog Nashville.

Toby Keith. Photo: Greg Watermann

Keith was also a member of the New York-based all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts and the Academy of Country Music’s prestigious Merle Haggard Spirit Award.

He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in June of 2022. That fall, he received the BMI Icon Award for his songwriting legacy, and in September of 2023, he made a triumphant appearance at the Peoples Choice Country Awards, where he accepted the Country Icon award and performed the poignant “Don’t Let The Old Man In.” BMLG Records partnered with Keith following the performance to release the song to country radio, making it Keith’s last chart appearance.

At the end of 2023, Keith performed several shows in Las Vegas. Despite the challenges from his illness, he played for two hours each night.

Keith’s death was announced on his social media early Tuesday morning (Feb. 6). “Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5th, surrounded by family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time,” the post shared.

Toby Keith

Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma on July 8, 1961. His interest in music started young, and he got his first guitar around age 8. After graduating from high school, Keith started his career in the oil fields. He and his friends formed the Easy Money Band when Keith was 20. They played at local bars as he continued to move up in rank working in oil.

After the oil industry in Oklahoma began to decline in the early ’80s, Keith fell back on another passion: football. He played defensive end with the semi-pro Oklahoma City Drillers while continuing to perform with his band. By the mid ’80s, Keith’s Easy Money band began playing the honky-tonk circuit in Oklahoma and Texas.

Keith came to Nashville in the early ’90s. Despite giving out his demo to record labels up and down Music Row, he received no interest. He made a vow to himself that he would get a record deal by the time he was 30 or he would quit. After one of Keith’s demos ended up in the hands of record executive Harold Shedd, he was signed to Mercury Records.

Keith’s first release with the label came with 1993’s “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.” It was a sure-fire hit and set Keith’s path to country superstardom. He continued his first spree of hits with “He Ain’t Worth Missing,” “A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action” and “Wish I Didn’t Know Now,” all of which appeared on his debut, self-titled album.

Keith then signed with Polydor Records Nashville and released his second album, Boomtown, in 1994, containing such hits as “Who’s That Man,” “Upstairs Downtown,” “You Ain’t Much Fun” and “Big Ol’ Truck.”

Next up was a deal with the Nashville division of A&M Records, where he released his third album Blue Moon in 1996. That project contained “Does That Blue Moon Ever Shine on You,” “A Woman’s Touch” and “Me Too.” Keith returned to Mercury in 1997 to release his fourth studio album, Dream Walkin’, notching more hits with the project such as “We Were in Love” and a cover of Sting’s “I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying.”

Toby Keith accepts an award onstage from BMI VP of Creative Nashville, Clay Bradley and president and CEO of BMI Mike O’Neill for the 2022 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI

The country maverick moved to DreamWorks Records in 1999. It was there that he had one of the biggest songs of his career, “How Do You Like Me Now?!” The song spent five weeks at No. 1 and became Keith’s first top 40 pop hit. The album of the same name also included “Country Comes to Town” and “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This.”

Keith released his next project, Pull My Chain, in 2001—the same year he took home the ACM’s Top Male Vocalist and Album of the Year trophies. The album’s three singles—”I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight,” “I Wanna Talk About Me” and “My List”—all topped of the country charts. “My List” was the CMA’s Single of the Year in 2002.

His next string of hits came from 2002’s Unleashed album, which included juggernaut “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American),” a song Keith wrote by himself in just 20 minutes about the September 11 tragedy. Next came chart-toppers “Who’s Your Daddy?” and “Beer for My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson which spent six weeks at the top of the country charts.

Toby Keith presented with his Pandora’s Billionaires Plaque at his Las Vegas show at Dolby Live at Park MGM in 2023

Keith released his eighth studio album Shock’n Y’all in 2003, and collected more hits with “I Love This Bar,” “American Soldier” and “Whiskey Girl.” His last DreamWorks album was Honkytonk University, which included the six-week No. 1 “As Good as I Once Was.”

Keith founded his own label, Show Dog Nashville, in 2005. Releasing several projects on the label, he collected more hits, such as “Get Drunk and Be Somebody,” “A Little Too Late,” “Love Me If You Can,” “She Never Cried in Front of Me,” “God Love Her,” “American Ride,” “Every Dog Has Its Day” and more.

In 2011, Show Dog released Keith’s Clancy’s Tavern. The project included the No. 1 song “Made in America” and a beloved fan-favorite “Red Solo Cup,” which became Keith’s best-peaking crossover, reaching No. 15 on the Hot 100. His legacy was honored in December of 2011 when Keith received the Artist of the Decade award at the American Country Awards.

More success followed with Keith’s albums Hope on the Rocks (2012), 35 MPH Town (2015) and The Bus Songs (2017). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.

Throughout his career, Keith has been a symbol of patriotism. His self-written “Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)” helped spur Americans onward despite our wounds following the terrorist attacks on September 11. He frequently played for the troops, doing 11 USO Tours and touching the lives of nearly 256,000 soldiers and military families across 18 countries with more than 285 events. Keith was recognized with the Spirit of the USO Award in 2014 for his efforts.

Keith was also very passionate about other philanthropic causes. His annual golf classics funded the Toby Keith Foundation and the OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home for families of children dealing with critical illnesses. Recently, the 19th installment of the charity event raised a record $1.8 million, bringing its all-total to nearly $18 million.

Toby Keith

A singer, songwriter, musician, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and more, Keith’s interests and skills spanned far and wide. Recently Keith acquired Luck E Strike, an iconic bait and tackle brand. Other business ventures he undertook were bar and restaurant ownership, a clothing line and more, in addition to being a record label owner and prominent music business executive. In a 2013 issue of Forbes magazine, Keith was described as “Country Music’s $500 million man,” as he was out-earning prominent musicians such as Jay-Z and Beyoncé at that time.

In 2023, 17 of Keith’s songs were newly certified as Gold and Platinum singles from the RIAA, including the hit “I Love This Bar,” which was awarded double Platinum. He also released his last album, 100% Songwriter, last year, which included 13 of his solo writes.

Keith is survived by his mother; wife of 40 years, Tricia Lucus Keith; daughters, Shelley Covel and Krystal Sandubrae; a son, Stelen; a sister, Tonnie; a brother, Tracy; and four grandchildren.

Memorial services for Keith have not yet been announced at this time.

 

Country Star Margo Smith Passes

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Margo Smith

Singer Margo Smith, noted for a string of country hits in the 1970s and 1980s, died Tuesday, Jan. 23, at age 84.

Born Bette Lou Miller, the singer was an Ohio kindergarten teacher who came to Nashville in 1975 to record her self-penned “There I Said It” and “Paper Lovin.’” Signed by Warner Music, she hit the charts with three self-written hits in 1976-77, “Love’s Explosion,” “Take My Breath Away” and “My Weakness.”

Her biggest hits occurred via her chart-topping revivals of the pop oldies “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You,” “It Only Hurts for a Little While” and “Little Things Mean a Lot” in 1978. Margo Smith underwent several career transformations. The first of these occurred in 1979-80 when she shed her “house wife-y” image in favor of a sexy persona in spandex, plunging necklines, satin costumes and a newly blonde coiffure. This coincided with such sultry hits as “Still a Woman” and “He Gives Me Diamonds, You Give Me Chills.”

She divorced her husband and married businessman Richard Cammeron in 1982. He took over her career management. During the next few years, she returned to her homey image and continued to make the charts throughout the 1980s with solo singles as well as duets with Rex Allen Jr. such as 1980’s “Cup of Tea.” Beginning in 1982, her country releases were on such independent labels as AMI, Moon Shine, Bermuda Dunes and Payback.

Smith also began to emphasize her show-stopping yodel ability. Her next image was as “The Tennessee Yodeler,” and she began to market TV albums such as 1983’s The Best of the Tennessee Yodeler. She continued in this vein into the 1990s.

In the mid-1990s, Margo’s musical career shifted again. This time it was to Christian country music. She and her daughter, Holly, became a duo billed as “Margo Smith and Holly.” They recorded for Homeland Records and had a number of Christian-country hits. In 1994, they were named Vocal Duo of the Year by the Christian Country Music Association.

In later years, Smith continued performing and marketed records that taught singers how to yodel. Among the artists she mentored was Taylor Ware, who successfully competed on TV’s America’s Got Talent. She moved to Florida and began recording for Lamon Records in 2005. During her career, Margo Smith released 18 albums and charted with 27 country singles.

She died in Franklin, Tennessee due to complications from a stroke she suffered two days earlier.

Margo Smith is survived by her husband Richard Cammeron; son Jeffery Smith; daughters Holly Watson, Tonja Taskey Elder and Lisa Foster; brother Jimmy Miller; sisters Kathy Kelly and Linda Crofut as well as eight grandchildren.

Arrangements are being handled by Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Music City Christian Fellowship.

A celebration of life for Margo Smith will be held Friday (Feb. 2) at 2:00 p.m. at Harpeth Christian Church (1101 Gardner Drive, Franklin, TN 37064).

Hit Songwriter, Red Street Records Executive Don Koch Passes

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Don Koch

Music industry veteran Don Koch, who most recently served as EVP of Publishing/A&R, Co-Founder, producer and songwriter for Red Street Records, passed away on Jan. 15.

Koch was born in San Jose, Costa Rica to missionary parents and lived around South America and the U.S. throughout his childhood. He moved to Nashville in 1980 to attend Belmont and pursue a career in sound engineering. He began dabbling in songwriting during this time as well, and eventually signed his first publishing deal with Benson Record Company in 1986.

Throughout his career, Koch won six GMA Dove Awards including Song Of The Year (1994, “In Christ Alone”), Inspirational Recorded Song Of The Year (1993 and 2006, “In Christ Alone;” 1999, “Adonai”) and Inspirational Album Of The Year (1994’s The Season Of Love by 4Him; 1993’s Generation To Generation by Benson Family of Artists).

Koch racked up 38 No. 1s as a songwriter, and some of his best-known hits include “In Christ Alone,” “Mercy Said No,” “Adonai,” “Mercy Came Running,” “Jesus Saves” and “Land of Mercy.” Koch also became a successful publisher and producer, working with artists such as 4Him, Newsong, Avalon, Charles Billingsley, Al Denson, Dallas Holm and Matthew Ward, among others.

Koch helped Jay DeMarcus launch Red Street Records in 2018. The relationship between the two goes back to the beginning of DeMarcus’ music career.

DeMarcus posted a tribute to his friend upon news of his passing. He shared, “Don Koch and I started the Red Street Records journey together in 2018. It seemed so fitting that we had come full circle since he was the one who ultimately brought me to Nashville and got Neal Coomer and I our first record deal with Benson Records. I owe this man a lot, and I learned so much from him as a songwriter—he was a wonderful mentor, and friend.”

 

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Memorial services for Koch have not yet been announced. Friends are encouraged to send photos, memories or thoughts about Koch to [email protected] to share with the family.

Louisiana Cajun Music Legend Jo-El Sonnier Dies Following Show

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Jo-El Sonnier

Cajun country artist Jo-El Sonnier passed away on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the age of 77.

He died following a heart attack after a performance in Llano, Texas. Texas promoter Tracy Pitcox posted the news on his Facebook account on Sunday (Jan. 14). Sonnier had reportedly ended his show with a performance of his hit ‘Tear Stained Letter,’ receiving a standing ovation.

With a career that spanned decades, Sonnier demonstrated a talent for music early on. Born in Rayne, Louisiana to French-speaking sharecroppers, he learned to play the accordion at three, was on the radio by six and recorded his first songs at 11. He released several independent singles and albums as a teenager, and later signed with Mercury Records Nashville in the 1970s. Upon signing with RCA Records in the 1980s, he released hits like “No More One More Time” and “Tear Stained Letter.”

He later recorded for Capitol Records and Rounder Records and briefly explored acting, even making an appearance in the HBO series True Detective. Sonnier’s albums Cajun Pride and Cajun Blood received Grammy nominations, and he won a Grammy for best regional roots album for The Legacy in 2015. He was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2009.

Details regarding services have not yet been announced.

West Coast Country Great Larry Collins Dies

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Larry Collins

Rockabilly guitar slinger and hit country songwriter Larry Collins passed away last Friday (Jan. 5) at age 79.

Best known for co-writing such hits as “Delta Dawn” and “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma,” Collins was a mainstay of the California country scene for decades.

Born in Oklahoma, he moved with his family to Los Angeles when he was nine. Older sister Lorrie Collins (1942-2018) had won a talent contest in Tulsa, which led her to pursue a country career in L.A. She formed a duo with Larry as her lead guitarist and singing partner.

Larry Collins

When he was 10 and she was 12, The Collins Kids became regulars on the TV show Town Hall Party in 1954. When the rock & roll revolution hit two years later, the talented siblings became an enthusiastic rockabilly act. Larry Collins blossomed as a hotshot electric guitarist after he was tutored by the TV show’s Joe Maphis (1921-1986). The older star played a double-necked electric guitar and gave one to Larry, who played it for the rest of his life.

The Collins Kids featured Lorrie on lead vocals and sock rhythm guitar. Larry sang, played snappy rockabilly guitar licks and bounced around the stage energetically. They performed weekly on Town Hall Party. The show was hosted by Tex Ritter, who would introduce the exuberant, scene-stealing siblings as “something for the youngsters.” Because of the show, Larry Collins performed alongside such legends as Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Gene Vincent.

In 1956, The Collins Kids came to Nashville to perform on the first television broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry. They also guested on The Ozark Jubilee and on variety shows hosted by Steve Allen, Arthur Godfrey, Tony Bennett and Jack Carson. In addition, the duo appeared in the 1956 movie Music Around the World. In 1958, Larry recorded an instrumental EP with his mentor Maphis.

The Collins Kids’ hopped-up hillbilly style was showcased on a series of singles on Columbia Records in 1955-59. These are now considered classics of the rockabilly genre. “Beetle Bug Bop,” “Hoy Hoy,” “Rock and Roll Polka,” “Soda Poppin’ Around,” “Party,” “Hush Money,” “Mama Worries” and “Rockaway Rock” bristled with excitement.

Lorrie fell in love with teen heartthrob Ricky Nelson. Larry was enlisted by their parents to “chaperone” their dates. In 1959, she suddenly eloped with Johnny Cash manager Stu Carnall, and this brought an end to The Collins Kids.

Larry and Lorrie Collins

The siblings reunited for TV appearances in the 1960s, some Nevada casino shows in the 1970s and rockabilly revival festivals in the 1990s.

Meanwhile, Larry Collins pursued a solo career, evolved into a golf pro and became a successful country songwriter. He’d cowritten such 1950s Collins Kids tunes as “In My Teens,” “Hot Rod,” ”Whistle Bait,” ”Hop Skip and Jump” and his instrumentals “T-Bone” and “Hurricane.” But in the 1970s, he began writing much bigger hits for others.

In 1972, his co-written “Delta Dawn” launched the Hall of Fame career of Tanya Tucker. The following year, the song became a No. 1 pop hit for Helen Reddy. Tucker returned to the Larry Collins song catalog for her 1980 hit “Pecos Promenade.”

In 1981, David Frizzell and Shelly West hit No. 1 with his co-written “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma,” which was named the ACM Song of the Year. Later that year, Glen Campbell had a hit with “Any Which Way You Can,” which Collins co-wrote as the title tune of a Clint Eastwood movie. Larry Collins songs were also recorded by Mac Davis, Nancy Sinatra, Lou Rawls, Alex Harvey, Bette Midler and others.

He died at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita, California of natural causes. Daughter Larissa Collins announced the news of his passing. Larry Collins is also survived by two grandsons and by sister Nicki Collins. No funeral arrangements have been announced.

Laura Lynch, Founding Member Of The Dixie Chicks, Dies In Car Crash

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Laura Lynch, one of the founding members of the Dixie Chicks, died in a tragic car accident on Dec. 22 outside of El Paso, Texas. She was 65.

The Chicks shared the news in a social media post, saying that Lynch “was a bright light…her infectious energy and humor gave a spark to the early days of our band.”

 

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Upright basist and vocalist Lynch co-founded the band, formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, in 1989 with guitarist Robin Lynn Macy and multi-instrumentalist sisters Martie and Emily Erwin.

In 1990, the group released their first studio album Thank Heavens for Dale Evans. Their Texas-bluegrass sound and cowgirl imaging earned The Chicks performance slots on bills with Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire and George Strait, and their growing fan-base led them to earn the title of “best band” at 1990 Telluride Bluegrass Festival. The Chicks even appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, but they didn’t receive much airplay.

After releasing their second studio Little Ol’ Cowgirl, the band moved towards a more contemporary country sound, leading co-founder Macy to exit the group in late 1992.

1993’s Shouldn’t a Told You was the last album to feature singer-bassist Lynch. At the time of her exit, sisters Martie and Emily shared with the Dallas Observer that Lynch had been considering leaving the band for over a year and was hoping to spend more time with her daughter. However in a later interview with Lynch, she shared, “It can’t really be characterized as a resignation. There are three Dixie Chicks, and I’m only one.”

In 1995, a 21-year-old Natalie Maines—whose demo tape had earned her full scholarship to Berklee College of Music—joined The Chicks as lead vocalist. The group signed with Monument Records Nashville in 1997 and went on to release multiple Platinum albums and notch No. 1 hits with “There’s Your Trouble,” “Wide Open Spaces,” “You Were Mine,” “Cowboy Take Me Away,” “Without You” and “Travelin’ Soldier.” The Chicks have since won 13 Grammy Awards and 10 CMA Awards, and released their most recent album, Gaslighter, in 2020. This year they held a residency in Las Vegas, “The Chicks: Six Nights in Vegas.”

After leaving the band, Lynch spent much of her time raising her daughter, and became a PR officer with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. In an interview with the Associated Press in 2003, Lynch shared that she had no regrets about leaving the band and that she enjoyed being part of the beginnings of The Chicks, despite its wear on her. “It was worth it,” she said in the interview. “I’d get anemic all over again to do it.”

Nashville-Related Music Obituaries 2023

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As the curtain comes down on 2023, MusicRow gives one last round of applause for the folks in our community who took their final bows this year.

The bluegrass community mourned the losses of two of its Hall of Famers, Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds, and also said farewell to pioneering Gloria Belle. Porter & Dolly banjo innovator Buck Trent passed, too. Other artists of note who have left us include Jimmy Buffett, Ray Pillow, Lee Clayton, Gordon Lightfoot, Vernon Oxford and Charlie Robison.

The Nashville songwriting community was hit particularly hard this year. We said goodbye to Peter McCann, Sterling Whipple, Pat Bunch, Kyle Jacobs and beloved nightlife figure Mike Henderson. Bass players Michael Rhodes and Dave Roe left us, as well.

In the Music Row business community, publicist Liz Thiels, financial manager Chuck Flood, photographer Les Leverett, CRB leader Bill Mayne and producer/executive Jerry Bradley passed away. So did Lower Broadway maven John Shepherd.

To all of them, and to all of those listed below, a fond ovation.

JEFF CAPPS, 55, died Jan. 3.
Nashville roadie and IATSE stagehand in Crew One Productions. Son of longtime Opry guitarist Jimmy Capps (1939-2020). Brother of recording engineer Mark Capps (1968-2023).

STAN HITCHCOCK, 86, died Jan. 4.
Country TV personality & co-founder of CMT. Starred on own syndicated series 1964-70, launched Americana/BlueHighwways channel, hosted  long-running cable interview program Heart to Heart. Recording artist on Columbia, Epic, GRT, Cinnamon, MMI, Caprice and Rambin’ labels. Placed 14 singles on country charts 1967-1981. Biggest hit “Honey I’m Home” a top-20 success. Several albums. Authored 2009 book At The Corner of Music Row and Memory Lane.

MARK CAPPS, 54, died Jan. 5.
Nashville recording engineer with four Grammy Awards for work on Jimmy Sturr polka albums. Extensive credentials include engineering on albums by Milsap, Twitty, Oaks, Lonestar, Trace, Faith, Olivia, Dolly, Big & Rich, Diffie, Tippin, Chicks, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Mavericks, Take 6, Gaither, Alabama, Cherryholmes, Skaggs, Gosdin, Kenny Rogers, Kentucky HeadHunters, Emerson Drive, Chris Young, Ronnie McDowell, Brooks & Dunn, Tracy Lawrence, Junior Brown, John Michael Montgomery, etc. Worked for The Isaacs for 18 years. Son of longtime Opry guitarist Jimmy Capps (1939-2020). Brother of IATSE stagehand Jeff Capps (1967-2023).

DON WILLIAMS, 100, died Jan. 6.
Former manager of The Osmonds, Roger Miller, Reba McEntire, Ray Stevens. Last survivor of Williams Brothers quartet who starred on radio and in several movies 1944-47 and backed Bing Crosby on his 1944 pop hit “Swinging on a Star.” Group also spawned pop superstar sibling Andy Williams.

VIVIAN WILLIAMS, 84, died Jan. 6.
Award winning fiddler. Co-founder, manager and producer of Voyager Records. More than 50 trophies as a fiddle champion. Solo LP 1979, Fiddler. Member Tall Timber bluegrass band.

LISA MARIE PRESLEY, 54, died Jan. 12
The only daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley. Inherited the Graceland estate on her 25th birthday and sold 85% of her father’s estate in 2004. Began her own musical career with debut album, To Whom It May Concern, in 2003. Followed with albums Now What (2005) and Storm & Grace (2012), which was a bluesy-country project produced by T Bone Burnett. She made her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2012.

C.J. HARRIS, 31, died Jan. 15.
Alabama guitarist/singer who competed as country-soul performer on American Idol in 2014 and became show finalist. Debut single “In Love” in 2019. Guest on Grand Ole Opry. (full name: Curtis Harris).

GARY OELZE, 80, died Jan. 23.
Founder and owner of The Birchmere, prominent Northern Virginia nightspot, notable for country, folk, bluegrass showcases.

PETER McCANN, 74, died Jan. 26.
Hit songwriter & longtime NSAI legislative activist. Noted for such enduring songs as Jennifer Warnes’ “Right Time of the Night” (1977), Earl Thomas Conley’s “Nobody Falls Like a Fool” (1985), Janie Fricke’s “She’s Single Again” (1985). As vocalist, McCann had 1977 No. 5 pop hit & Gold Record “Do You Wanna Make Love,” which he also wrote. Song also charted country for Bobby Smith, Buck Owens, David Wills in 1977-79. McCann’s cowritten “Wall of Tears” was K.T. Oslin’s debut single on RCA 1987. Baillie & The Boys 1991 hit with his cowritten “Treat Me Like a Stranger.” “The Star” recorded by Kathy Mattea for Grammy-winning album Good News 1993. Whitney Houston recorded McCann’s “Take Good Care of My Heart” for her 20-million selling 1985 debut album. Songs recorded by Jermane Jackson, Shaun Cassidy, Karen Carpenter, Isaac Hayes & Millie Jackson, Paul Anka, Julio Iglesias, John Travolta, Bobby Vinton, Donny Osmond, Ricky Nelson, Andy Williams, Michael McDonald plus country’s Con Hunley, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal, Greenwood, Reba, Jim Ed & Helen, Oaks, Anne Murray, Rodney Carrington, Nicolette Larson, Kenny Rogers, Lisa Brokop, Shelly West. Top-40 country successes via singles by Mickey Gllley, Louise Mandrell, Pake McEntire 1987-88. Own Xmas album on RCA 1995. Spent 25 years lobbying for songwriters rights in Washington. Formerly in folk-rock group The Repairs, with three Motown LPs. Leadership Music class 1993.

PAT BUNCH, 83, died Jan. 30.
Prolific Lyricist best known for co-writing “I’ll Still Be Loving You” Restless Heart (1987), “Safe in the Arms of Love” Martina (1995), “Wild One” Faith Hill (1993). More than 100 artists recorded her songs. Highlights included Lynn Anderson “Last Love of My Life” 1978. Moe & Joe “Holding the Bag”1979, Crystal “Me Against the Night” 1984, Janie “The First Word in Memory Is Me” & “Somebody Else’s Fire” both 1985, Ty Herndon “I Want My Goodbye Back” 1995, Baillie & The Boys “He’s Letting Go” 1987, Collin Raye “What If Jesus Comes Back Like That” 1995, Herndon “Living in a Moment” 1996, Terri Clark “She Didn’t Have Time” 2005, Steve Holy “Come On Rain” 2006, Herndon “I Have to Surrender” 1997, BlackHawk “I Need You All the Time” 2000, Chris Janson “Better I Don’t” 2013. Female country cuts prominent: Patty, Reba, Tammy, Juice Newton, Forester Sisters, Lacy J. Dalton, Judy Rodman, Michelle Wright, Dottie, Pam, Shelby Lynne, Sylvia, Barbara Mandrell, Lauren Alaina, Connie, Suzy, Carlene, Mary Chapin Carpenter Calamity Jane, etc. Male country cuts by John Michael Montgomery, Keith Zarling, Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, Billy Dean, Greenwood, Pride, Gene Watson, Mark Wills, Gatlins, Strait, Oaks, Sammy Kershaw, Clay Walker, David Houston, etc. Pop cuts by Glenn Frey, Jill Sobule, Art Garfunkel, Percy Sledge, Joan Baez, Soul Sistas, Kennedy Rose, Petula Clark. Frequent songwriting collaborators included Pam Rose, Mary Ann Kennedy, Doug Johnson, Shane Teeters, Nicole Witt, Dan Mitchell, Buck Moore.

DIX BRUCE, 70, died Feb. 1.
Multi-instrumentalist who authored more than 60 music-instruction books, videos & CDs. Editor of Mandolin World News, 20-year contributor to Acoustic Guitar magazine. Martin Guitar clinician. Engineer/graphic designer/songwriter/notes writer for Arhoolie Records. Performed with Frank Wakefield, Jim Numally and own band, Back Up and Push.

JOE EDWARDS, 75, died Feb. 3.
Associated Press (AP) reporter who covered the country-music scene for 30 years in his nationally syndicated column “Nashville Sound.” He helped to make “Rocky Top” a state song of Tennessee. Also a sports reporter.

CRAIG HAYES, 75, died Feb. 5.
Entertainment attorney and musician. Represented stars via Zumwalt, Almon & Hayes firm. Toured and recorded in rock bands for seven years. Appeared and recorded with Neil Young 1983-84. Leadership Music class 1996. Husband of songwriter Pamela Brown Hayes (“I Can Love You Better” Dixie Chicks).

RANDY SMITH, 75, died Feb. 9.
Nashville entertainment lawyer for 40+ years. Clients included recording artists, movie producers, authors. (full name: James Randolph Smith).

CODY LONGO, 34, died Feb. 8.
Actor and musician who had a two-episode role on the TV series Nashville. Also Days of Our Lives, Hollywood Heights, many other TV credits. Member of band Forever the Day with EP in 2010.

JOHN SNOW, 57, died Feb. 14.
Multi-instrumentalist in various Nashville club bands. Played guitar, drums, bass, fiddle, piano in FlatBranch, Dog & The Boners, Nashville North, Mixed Company, The New Creatures, VCR, etc. In Wildhorse Saloon house band 1982.

DWIGHT DILLER, 76, died Feb. 14.
Old-time, clawhammer banjo stylist with 12 albums of his music on own Yew Pine Music label. Also taught old-time banjo. Bass player in Black Mountain Bluegrass Boys on three of group’s albums 1971-75. Represented West Virginia at 2002 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Vandalia Award winner 2019, West Virginia’s folklife honor.

MATT ALESE, 29, died Feb. 16.
New York native who moved to Nashville to work in the music business. Started at Grayscale Marketing as an intern in 2016 and had advanced to Senior Project Management and Operations Coordinator when he passed.

KYLE JACOBS, 49, died Feb. 17.
Hit country songwriter, noted for “More Than a Memory” by Garth Brooks, “Still” by Tim McGraw, “Rumor” by Lee Brice, “Dust” by Eli Young Band. Many other Brice cuts & co-writes, as well as production on Brice, plus cuts by Thompson Square, Kenny Chesney, Gary Allan, Stephanie Quayle, Clay Walker, Charlie Worsham, Craig Morgan, Trace Adkins, George Strait, Scotty McCreery, Parmalee, Charles Esten, Mindy McCready, Mark Wills, Keith Anderson, many more. Husband of Kellie Pickler.

TORU MITSUI, 82, died Feb. 19.
Japanese music scholar whose Bluegrass Music (1967) was the first book published about bluegrass music. Recorded several albums of American folk songs.

UNCLE STEVE CROCKETT, 73, Feb. 23.
Stage name of Steven M. Skold. Clawhammer banjo player & high-energy entertainer. Performed for years as leader of Log Cabin Boys band in upstate New York. Two albums: Traditional Country Favorites & Showtime.

RALPH LAND, 76, died Feb. 24.
Music City percussionist who toured with George Jones, Sammi Smith. Also session musician, contractor. Member The Sidemen. Later career working on soundtracks in L.A. Active in veterans’ issues, led Vietnam Veterans march in Nashville’s Veterans Day Parade for years.

MELVIN SLOAN, 82, died Feb. 26.
Leader of the Grand Ole Opry dance troupe The Melvin Sloan Dancers 1980-2002. Succeeded brother Ralph Sloan’s Tennessee Travelers as resident Opry cloggers & square dancers. Formerly a member of gospel quartet The Kingdom Heirs. Own string band.

BILL CASTLE, 89, died Feb. 27.
Bluegrass songwriter with cuts by stars Doyle Lawson, IIIrd Time Out, Lonesome River Band, James King, Lost & Found, Larry Sparks, Bluegrass Cardinals, etc. Two albums recorded with Bill Castle Band.

CALVIN NEWTON, 93, died March 3.
Gospel Music Hall of Fame member. Lead singer of Oak Ridge Quartet gospel group 1953-56. Act evolved into Oak Ridge Boys country quartet in 1970s. Prior to Oaks in Victory Four, Kingsmen Four, Melody Masters, Blackwood Brothers. After Oaks in Sons of Songs.

BRUCE OSBON, 83, died March 3.
Guitarist honored with a Nashville Super Picker Award from NARAS. Longtime member of Porter’s band The Wagonmasters. Also backed Dottie West, Skeeter Davis, Jim Ed Brown, Dolly, Nat Stuckey, Mel  Tillis, Stan Hitchcock, Charlie Louvin, others. Later a piano tuner at Opryland. National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame 2016.

GARY ROSSINGTON, 71, died March 4.
Last surviving original member of Rock & Roll Hall of Famers of  Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd.

MICHAEL RHODES, 69, died March 4.
Top Nashville bass player. Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019. Ten-time ACM winner as Bass Player of the Year. Moved to Nashville in 1977 after stints in Austin, Memphis. Played on Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance,” Shawn Colvin’s “Sunny Came Home,”  Yearwood’s “How Do I Live,” many more hits. County sessions for Willie, Alan Jackson, Dolly, Chicks, Wynonna, Hank Jr., Merle, Strait, Cash, Chesney, Keith Whitley, Highwaymen. Equally adept on non-country projects for Etta James, Mark Knopfler, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, Joss Stone, Amy Grant, Bob Seger, Joan Baez, Lionel Richie, Burt Bacharach, Aaron Neville, India.Arie, Buddy Guy, Michael McDonald, John Fogerty, Elton John, Larry Carlton, J.J. Cale, Joe Bonamassa, Ashley Cleveland, Joan Osborne, etc. Touring band member for Vince, Rodney, Rosanne, Steve Winwood, Pat McLaughlin. Member of Nashville rock band The Nerve and of country’s Notorious Cherry Bombs with Vince & Rodney.

PEGGY KNIGHT, 79, died March 8.
Longtime care giver for Mother Maybelle Carter. Worked for Johnny Cash & June Carter for more than 30 years. Books: Cooking in the House of Cash; My 33 Years Inside the House of Cash; At Home With Johnny, June and Mother Maybelle; My Friends John, June and Maybelle.

MARVIN GLYNN RUSSELL, 86, died March 12.
Guitarist who toured with Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper’s Clinch Mountain Clan. Began career in Knoxville backing Don Gibson, teenage Dolly, Con Hunley. Retired from the road to teach guitar in Blount County, TN.

JIM GORDON, 77, died March 13.
Drummer in L.A.’s Wrecking Crew of session musicians. Recorded with Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, Everly Brothers, Gordon Lightfoot, Joan Baez, plus rock/pop who’s who. Co-wrote rock classic “Layla.”

JEANIE OAKLEY, 90, died March 13.
Alongside husband Frank Oakley (1925-2009) founded Willie Nelson & Family General Store & Museum in 1979 and operated it on Music Valley Drive for decades. (Full name: Nettie Jeanie Bracey Oakley).

PAUL BEASLEY, 78, died March 13.
Tenor/falsetto singer in gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama, noted for “There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated at the Conference Table).” Several Grammy nominations. Previously in Gospel Keynotes (“Jesus You’ve Been Good to Me”), Mighty Clouds of Joy (“Walk Around Heaven”).

LIZ THIELS, 78, died March 19.
Influential Nashville music publicist. Vice President at Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum 2002-2015. Previously co-founded historic Exit/In nightclub 1971-74, worked at Sound Seventy putting on big-name concerts 1974-79, launched Network Ink as Nashville’s first PR firm specializing in music 1979-2001. Clients included Skaggs, Wynonna, Mattea, Reba, Wariner, Dolly, Lyle Lovett, Brooks & Dunn, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Clint Black, Nanci Griffith, WSM radio, Universal Music Group, Clay Walker, Guy Clark, etc.

FAYE LaBAUVE BADGER, 88, died March 19.
Longtime Nashvillian who was formerly pop recording artist plus runway and print fashion model. (Full name: Faye LaBauve Badger Sauder).

TOM LEADON, 70, died March 22.
Nashville guitarist and instructor. Formerly in bands Mudcrunch (with Tom Petty) and Silver. Bassist for Linda Ronstadt. Brother of Eagles member Bernie Leadon.

RON SPEARS, 69, died March 22.
Bluegrass musician, songwriter, ventriloquist. Songs recorded by IIIrd Tyme Out, David Parmley, Special Consensus, Josh Williams, Lou Reid & Carolina, Bluegrass Cardinals, Doyle Lawson, etc. Sideman on guitar or bass for Rhonda Vincent, Continental Divide, James King Band, Cardinal Tradition, Fast Track, others. Own band Within Tradition. Five albums, 1995-2020.

BOB “NORTON” THOMPSON, 80, died March 24.
Alongside wife Toni, owned Soundcheck rehearsal studio, used by Vince, Urban, Brad, Eagles, Reba, Tim & Faith, Garth, Peter Frampton, .38 Special, many others. Previously a roadie, stage manager, personal assistant for Eagles, Ozzy Osbourne, Glenn Frey, Dan Fogelberg, Chicago, Jimmy Buffet, Fool’s Gold, Bellamy Brothers. Book — Last Encore: My Time with Glenn Frey, the Eagles and Other Hit Artists. Founded Soundcheck 1993.

RAY PILLOW, 85, died March 26.
Grand Ole Opry star best known for 1966 hit duets with Country Music Hall of Famer Jean Shepard (1933-2016) “I’ll Take the Dog” and “Mr. and Mrs. Used to Be.” Also had top-40 solo country hits with “Thank You Ma’am” (1965), “Common Colds and Broken Hearts” (1966), “Volkswagen” (1966), “Reconsider Me” (1969). Charted 18 times 1965-81. Recorded for Capitol, ABC, Plantation, Mega, Hilltop,  Dot,, MCA, First Generation labels. Named “Most Promising Male Artist” by Billboard 1966, “Most Promising New Artist of 1966” by Cash Box. Inducted into Opry cast 1966. Appeared on syndicated TV shows of Porter Wagoner, Bobby Lord, Wilburn Brothers. In feature films Country Boy (1966), The Disc Jockey (1979). Co-founded Joe Taylor Artist Agency. With Larry McFaden, a partner in Sycamore Valley Music, publishing songs of Lee Greenwood, including 1984’s CMA-awarded “God Bless the USA.” Hired n 1990 by Jimmy Bowen as A&R executive at Liberty Records. Celebrated 50th anniversary at Opry 2016. Retired 2018.

RUSTY RUSSELL, 66, died March 27.
Nashville editor for Guitar Player magazine. Also wrote for Vintage Guitar, The Nashville Musician and others. Photographer with many published works. Guitarist, trumpeter, bassist, songwriter. Hosted AFM’s monthly “Musician – Songwriters Workshop.” (Full name: Raymond N. Russell).

JOHN SHEPHERD, 85, died April 3.
Top country guitar picker and singer who was a fixture in Lower Broadway tourist honky-tonks for 50 years, 1972-2022. Knew more than 1,000 songs. Champion of historic preservation involved with Broadway Revitalization Committee working in 1970s & 1980s to save musical heritage of downtown Nashville and prevent planned razing of Ryman & Lower Broad’s honky-tonks. Widower of his musical and life partner Lois Shepherd (1924-2022), who died seven months earlier.

IVAN TRIBE, 82, died April 4.
Historian, journalist, author specializing in bluegrass & old-time country music. Published extensively in Bluegrass Unlimited, Goldenseal, Pickin,’ Precious Memories, Old-Time Music, The Devil’s Box, JEMF Quarterly, The Journal of Country Music, etc. More than 70 sets of liner notes. His 14 books include Mountaineer Jamboree, The Stonemans, West Virginia’s Traditional Country Music, Folk Music in Overdrive, Country: A Regional Exploration, The Jamboree in Wheeling. With wife Deanna, co-hosted bluegrass radio show “Hornpipe & Fugue” on WUOB-FM at Ohio University 1983-2023.

JOE MACK VINCENT, 92, died April 6.
Steel guitarist. Toured with Marty Robbins, Faron Young. On Robbins’ first hit “I’ll Go on Alone” (1952) & Young’s “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young” (1955).

KEITH GATTIS, 52, died April 23.
Country singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer. Cuts by George Strait, Randy Travis, Gary Allan, Randy Houser, Charlie Robison, Randy Rogers Band, Jack Ingram, Wade Bowen, etc. Co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s “When I See This Bar” & “El Cerrito Place.” Session guitarist for Dwight Yoakam, Bruce Robison, Sunny Sweeney, Jon Pardi, Brandy Clark & more. Production credits include Houser, Pardi, Bowen, Jake Owen, Waylon Payne, Kendall Marvel. Solo LPs Keith Gattis (1996), Big City Blues (2002). Charted with “Little Drops of My Heart” (RCA, 1996). Husband of Penny Gattis, GM of Publishing at Eclipse Music Group.

GORDON LIGHTFOOT, 84, died May 1.
Canadian folkie who became hit country songwriter and mainstream pop star. Came of age in Toronto’s Yorkville bohemian folk scene in early 1960s. Square dancer & singer on CBC’s Country Hoedown TV show 1961. Records produced by Chet Atkins in Nashville 1962, including first Canadian hit single “Remember Me.” In England, hosted BBC-TV series Country and Western Show 1963. Songwriting success with “Ribbon of Darkness” (Marty Robbins, 1965; Connie Smith, 1969), “Early Morning Rain” (George Hamilton IV, 1966; Ian & Sylvia, 1964), “For Lovin’ Me” (Ian & Sylvia, 1964; Peter, Paul & Mary, 1965; Waylon Jennings, 1966), “Did She Mention My Name” (Bill Anderson, 1968), “The Last Time I Saw Her” (Glen Campbell, 1971), “Cotton Jenny” (Anne Murray, 1972), “Second Cup of Coffee” (George Hamilton IV, 1973). Singing stardom with self-penned “If You Could Read My Mind” (1971), “Sundown” (1974), “Carefree Highway” (1974), “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976). Last three also made country charts, as did “Rainy Day People” (1975), “The Circle Is Small” (1978), “Dreamland” (1978), “Dream Street Rose” (1980), “Anything For Love” (1986). Albums Back Here on Earth (1968), Summer Side of Life (1971) recorded in Nashville. Songs recorded by Jerry Reed, Toby, Eric, Crystal, Cash, Conway, Buffett, Elvis, Hank Jr., Jerry Lee, Olivia, Jeannie C. Riley, Raul Malo, Carter Family, Jack Greene, Don Williams, Michael Martin Murphey, Lynn Anderson, Hank Snow, Dale Watson, Jim Lauderdale, Vernon Oxford, Irish Rovers, Steve Forbert, Gretchen Peters, Ronnie Hawkins, Leroy Van Dyke, etc. Bluegrass covers by Kentucky Colonels, Country Gentlemen, Alison Krauss, Dale Ann Bradley, Claire Lynch, Jesse McReynolds, Tim O’Brien & Darrell Scott, Chris Jones, Isaacs, J.D. Crowe, Seldom Scene. Many pop covers —  Streisand, Belafonte, Dylan, Dead, Mathis, Petula, Blue Rodeo, Jane’s Addiction, Sarah McLachlan, Don McLean, Liza Minnelli, Cilla Black, Jim Croce, Richie Havens, Brothers Four, Kingston Trio, Electric Prunes, Andy Williams, Spanky & Our Gang, Neil Young, Replacements, Judy Collins, Vikki Carr, Percy Sledge, Chad & Jeremy, Robert Plant, more. Starred at opening ceremonies of 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. PBS-TV concert special 2000. Headlined Tin Pan South at Ryman in Nashville 2001. Won 16 Juno awards 1967-77. Tribute albums by Canadian artists (2003), by Tony Rice (1996), by Mac Wiseman (1977), by J.P. Cormier (2005), by female Americana acts (2021). Commemorative statue of him in hometown Orilla, Ontario, 2015. Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1986). Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2001). National Songwriters Hall of Fame (2012).

GLORIA BELLE, 83, died May 5.
One of the earliest female lead singers in bluegrass. Multi-instrumentalist and highly adaptable vocalist. Appeared on Cas Walker’s show in Knoxville 1960-65. Joined Raymond Fairchild in Maggie Valley, NC 1965. Wheeling Jamboree in all-girl Betty Amos band 1966. Extended tenure in Jimmy Martin band 1968-75. Also stints with McCormick Brothers, Bailey Brothers, Charlie Monroe, Bonnie Lou & Buster and all-girl band The Nashville Kitty Kats, plus own Tennessee Sunshine group. Eight solo albums 1968-2001. Background vocals on Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken 1971. IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award 1999. On IBMA winning Follow Me Back to the Fold all-female CD 2000. Won IBMA award as member of Daughters of Bluegrass 2009. (Real name: Gloria Bernadette Flickinger).

CHRIS STRACHWITZ, 91, died May 5.
Founder of Arhoolie Records, Old Timey Records and the retail/mail-order store Down Home Music, all of which preserved, promoted and distributed American roots music. He recorded traditional blues, Cajun, mountain music, polka, klezmer, Hawaiian steel-guitar music, bluegrass, Irish dance tunes, norteno, zydeco, Ukranian fiddle music, folk songs, old-time string bands, Tex-Mex music and more. Among his best-known albums were ones by Mance Lipscomb, Clifton Chenier, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Lydia Mendoza, Flaco Jimenez, Mississippi Fred McDowell, BeauSoleil, Rose Maddox, Del McCoury, Strange Creek Singers, Vern & Ray, Snuffy Kenkis, Armstrong Twins, Cliff Carlisle and Big Mama Thornton. Published “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die” by Country Joe & The Fish, plus “You Got to Move” McDowell song recorded by Rolling Stones and 1993 Alan Jackson hit “Mercury Blues.” Partnered with Les Blank on several roots-music documentary films. Blues Hall of Fame member. Grammy Trustees Award 2016. Arhoolie catalog acquired by Smithsonian Folkways in 2016.

GEORGE MOFFETT, 86, died May 14.
Variety Attractions founder & veteran talent buyer. Founding member of IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) & a member of its Hall of Fame. Four-time winner of CMA’s SRO Promoter/Talent Buyer of Year. Three-time winner of ACM Talent Buyer of Year. Former CMA board member. IEBA board for 30 years. Founded Variety Attractions 1961, booked Dolly,  Loretta, Tammy & George, Alabama, Garth, Toby, Trace, Chesney, etc. Also booked circus acts for state and country fairs.

RICHARD LANDIS, 77, died May 16.
Country producer, publisher, record producer and label executive. Keyboardist on recording sessions. Produced Juice Newton, Lorrie Morgan, Roy Rogers, Eddie Rabbitt, Oaks, Earl Thomas Conley, Kenny Rogers, Doug Supernaw, Neil Diamond, Vince, Hot Apple Pie, Sammy Kershaw, Rhonda Vincent, Dennis Robbins, Lisa Stewart, Tim Ryan, Dionne Warwick, Peter Allen, Dirt Band, Desmond Child, Pam Tillis, others. Label exec at Giant, Capitol, BNA. Co-owner of Loud Recording studio. Co-founder of Route 66 song-publishing firm. Associated with Joe Galante, James Stroud, Stan Morress. Songs cut by Della Reese, Billy Eckstine, Seldom Scene, etc. Self-penned solo LP Natural Causes on Dunhill Records, 1972.

JOHN NOVA LOMAX, 53, died May 22.
Houston music journalist with ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for profile of Doug Supernaw. Also wrote about Townes Van Zandt, Johnny Nash, Bobby “Blue” Bland, others. Senior editor Texas Monthly 2015-2019. Houston Press 2000-2012 as music editor & staff writer. Also wrote for Texas Highways, Houstonian, Spin, New York Times, Village Voice, L.A. Weekly. Two books Houston’s Best Dive Bars: Drinking & Diving in the Bayou City and Murder & Mayhem in Houston. Son of noted Nashville journalist/artist manager/performer/author John Lomax III. Lomax dynasty also includes great-grandfather John Avery Lomax, dean of American folklorists and the discoverer of Leadbelly. Grandfather, John II, managed Lightnin’ Hopkins & founded Houston Folklore Society. Great uncle Alan Lomax guided Library of Congress Archive of American Folksong, wrote prolifically, was recording artist. Great aunt Bess Lomax Hawes a leading authority on children’s folklore, exec at National Endowment for the Arts & co-wrote Kingston Trio hit “M.T.A.”

DEBORAH MAUREEN LOACH, 53, died May 25.
Percussionist with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Founded own group Chamber Happenings 2020. Wife of percussionist Rich Graber.

LES LEVERETT, 96, died June 2.
Legendary country-music photographer with Grammy Award for album-jacket work. Staff photographer of Opry 1960-1992. Major provider of photos for Ken Burns’ PBS opus Country Music documentary series and many periodicals (American Heritage, Country Weekly, etc.), plus annual Opry souvenir books. Rescued & preserved photos of WSM/Opry founding years 1925-50 after he discovered company throwing images away. In addition to Opry work, did stars’ publicity portraits, created album covers and documented celebrities at home. Photos on more than 200 albums, including Grammy-winning Porter Wagoner Confessions of a Broken Man (1966). His 1972 cover for Dolly Parton’s Bubbling Over won Billboard  Country Album Cover of the Year. Iconic images of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, Vince Gill, etc. Official photographer for TV series of both Johnny Cash and Marty Stuart. Who’s who of country clients — Garth Brooks, Kitty Wells, Gene Autry, Roy Acuff, Merle Haggard, Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Ernest Tubb, Conway Twitty, Maybelle Carter, Emmylou Harris, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, Waylon Jennings, k.d. lang, Marty Robbins, Hank Snow, Grandpa Jones, Minnie Pearl, Tex Ritter, etc., etc. Especially fond of bluegrass — many images of Flatt & Scruggs, Whites, Jim & Jesse, Ralph Stanley and the like. Distinguished Achievement Award from International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 2001. Books, Blue Moon of Kentucky (1996), American Music Legends (2005), Saturday Nights with Daddy at the Opry (2003, by daughter Libby Leverett-Crew). Leverett archive now at Country Music Hall of Fame.

CYNTHIA WEIL, 82, died June 1.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and national Songwriters Hall of Fame member as mega-hit pop composer. Co-wrote “Here You Come Again” Dolly Parton million-selling country/pop-crossover 1977 hit. Other country cuts include “Another Goodbye” for Donna Fargo, “I Just Can’t Help Believin’ for B.J. Thomas, “If a Woman Answers” for Leroy Van Dyke, “Wrong Again” for Martina McBride, “We’re Over” for Johnny Rodriguez, “Just a Little Lovin’” by Shelby Lynne, “Rock and Roll Lullaby” for B.J. Thomas, “You Were There For Me” for Crystal Gayle. Songs recorded by 30+ country acts, including Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell, David Frizzell, Debbie Boone, Barbara Fairchild, Elvis, Dottie, David Rogers, Lynn Anderson, Don Williams, Eddy Arnold, Bellamys, Juice, Marie, Vince, Wynonna, Milsap, Billy Joe Royal, Kelly Lang, T.G. Sheppard, Kendalls, Roy Clark. Pop standards include “On Broadway,” “Uptown,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “Somewhere Out There,” “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration,” “Don’t Know Much,” “I’m Gonna Be Strong,” “Just Once,” “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” “Kicks” and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” BMI’s most preformed song of the 20th century. More than 30 BMI Awards. Wife and collaborator of Barry Mann.

STERLING WHIPPLE, 95, died June 2.
Hit country songwriter. Catalog includes “The Blind Man in the Bleachers” (Kenny Starr 1975), “Forever Lovers” (Mac Davis 1976), “Show Me a Man” (T.G. Sheppard 1976), “In Some Room Above the Street” (Gary Stewart 1976), “Cheap Perfume and Candlelight” (Bobby Borchers 1977), “If Love Was a Bottle of Wine” (Tommy Overstreet 1977), “Ain’t No California” (Mel Tillis 1978), “Now You See ‘Em Now You Don’t” (Roy Head 1978), “Silence on the Line” (Henson Cargill 1980), “I’ll Be Coming Back for More” (T.G. Sheppard 1980), “Prisoner of Hope” (Johnny Lee 1981). Eight BMI Awards. Artist on Warners with self-penned singles “Dirty Work” (1978), “Then You’ll Remember” (1978), “Love Is Hours in the Making” (1979).

ROBERT CORRIGAN, 82, died June 8.
Co-organizer of Sinking Creek Film Festival, which evolved into Nashville Film Festival. Iguana wrangler on children’s TV show Hey Vern, It’s Ernest! Photographer, woodworker.

LEE CLAYTON, 80, died June 12.
Country-rock singer-songwriter with edgy outsider image. Noted for writing Waylon Jennings LP title tune “Ladies Love Outlaws” (1972), Willie Nelson’s “If You Can Touch Her At All” (1978), Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Lone Wolf“ (1978), Highwaymen’s “Silver Stallion” (1990). Eight solo albums: Lee Clayton (1973), Border Affair (1978), Naked Child (1979), The Dream Goes On (1981), Tequila Is Addictive (1990), Another Night (1990), Spirit of the Twilight (1994), Live At Rockpalast (2014). Achieved widespread popularity in Europe, particularly Scandinavia. Book: The Streets of Nashville (2013). (Real name: Billy Shotts).

MATTHEW BARRETT BREWER, 33, died June 14.
Site-operations supervisor at Bonnaroo 2010-2023. Employed by many other music festivals, arriving early for festival construction, remaining to run logistics during events, tearing down afterward. Grandson of famed civil-rights attorney George “Citizen” Barrett.

VERN BENKE JR., 71, died June 16.
Record-store magnate as v.p. of Camelot Music. Taught music marketing at Belmont. Later, a Nashville-area restaurateur via Grand Stands, Anchor High Grill, The Shack, Crossroads, Awedaddys eateries.

TERRI NOLAN, 46, died June 20.
Entertainment attorney at Loeb & Loeb. Formerly in-house attorney for Capitol Christian Music Group 2012-20.

HAROLD LEO BLAIR, 81, died June 20.
Violinist with Nashville Symphony, music faculty at Morehead State University in Kentucky 1975-98. Solo concert at Kennedy Center. Played in traditional country groups Spit and Polish, The White Horse String Band.

ROGER REDEL, 80, died June 22.
Lighting director for films & TV. Credits include Murder She Wrote, Tron, The Black Hole, Air Force One, Disney projects, etc. Longtime member of IATSE Local 728.

JESSE McREYNOLDS, 93, died June 23.
Bluegrass Hall of Fame member in duo Jim & Jesse with brother Jim McReynolds (1927-2002). Oldest cast member of the Grand Ole Opry. Noted for revolutionary, virtuoso, complex “crosspicking” style of mandolin playing, leading to his moniker “Mr. Mandolin.” Brother duo launched 1947, began recording 1951. Signed by Capitol 1952. Recorded “Are You Missing Me” with fiddler James Loden, later known as Country Music Hall of Famer Sonny James. Brothers recorded “Air Mail Special,” “A Memory of You” 1952. Joined WWVA Wheeling Jamboree 1955. Team prospered in Florida late 1950s on WNER’s Swanee River Jamboree in Live Oak and became television stars with own shows in Tallahassee and Pensacola. Their TV programs also broadcast in Montgomery, AL; Albany, GA; Dothan, AL and Jackson, MS. Recorded for Starday Records 1958, then signed with Epic Records 1962. Jim & Jesse’s first charted single 1964’s “Cotton Mill Man.” Then “Better Times A-Comin’” (1965), “Diesel on My Tail” (1967), “Ballad of Thunder Road” (1967), “Greenwich Village Folk Song Salesman” (1968), “Yonder Comes a Freight Train” (1968) “Golden Rocket” (1970), “Freight Train” (1971). Landmark LP Berry Pickin’ in the Country 1965 contained bluegrass arrangements of Chuck Berry rock ’n’ roll classics. Jim & Jesse also dabbled in Latin, electric country, gospel, cowboy and other genres. Jesse played mandolin on The Doors 1969 rock LP The Soft Parade. Duo performed at Newport Folk Festival 1963 and 1966. Became Opry members 1964. Their Virginia Boys band included stellar alumni Vassar Clements, Allen Shelton, Bobby Thompson, Carl Jackson, Vic Jordan, Glen Duncan, Randall Franks, Chick Stripling, Jimmy Buchanan. Wildly popular on bluegrass-festival circuit for three decades. Launched syndicated TV series, The Jim & Jesse Show, early 1970s, Formed own Old Dominion and Double J record labels. Created own annual bluegrass festival. Had longest-running fan club in country music. Nominated for Grammy Award for 1992 CD Music Among Friends. Inducted into Bluegrass Hall of Fame 1993. National Heritage Fellowship Award from National Endowment for the Arts 1997. Following Jim’s passing, Jesse continued to tour, record and appear on Opry. Joined 1990 “supergroup” The Masters with Josh Graves, Kenny Baker, Eddie Adcock. Solo albums included New Horizons (2004), Bending the Rules (2004), A Tribute to Brother Duets (with Charles Whitstein, 2005), Dixie Road (2007). In 2010, released Grateful Dead tribute album. Dubbed “The Ironman of Bluegrass” for the 65+ years of his career. Solo and with his brother, recorded more than 50 albums.

JD DAWSON WALTERS, 85, died June 24.
Steel guitarist for 30 years in Hank Thompson’s Brazos Valley Boys. Also recorded solo. Stints in bands of Freddie Hart, Billie Jo Spears, Johnnie Lee Wills.

BOBBY OSBORNE, 91, died June 27.
Bluegrass Hall of Fame member. Introduced bluegrass standard & Tennessee State Song “Rocky Top.” Osborne Brothers named CMA Vocal Group of Year 1971. Began performing on WPFB in Middletown, Ohio 1949. Spent several seasons with The Lonesome Pine Fiddlers, then Jimmy Martin’s band. Brief stint with Stanley Brothers. Formed Osborne Brothers with younger brother Sonny Osborne (1937-2021). Early recordings on MGM, RCA. Bluegrass classic “Once More” recorded by Red Allen with Osbornes 1958. Bobby’s sky-high tenor voice a calling card. Sonny’s cutting-edge approach to banjo playing and arrangements of group’s complex harmony vocals also key. Joined Opry cast 1964. Signed with Decca as band modernized with electrified banjo, drums & electric bass. Charted favorites included “Roll Muddy River” (1967), “Rocky Top” (1968), “Son of a Saw Mill Man” (1968), “Tennessee Hound Dog” (1969), “Ruby Are You Mad” (1970), “Muddy Bottom” (1971), “Midnight Flyer” (1973), “Blue Heartache” (1973), “Shackles and Chains” (with Mac Wiseman, 1979) and “I Can Hear Kentucky Calling Me” (1980). “Rocky Top” named one of the state songs of Tennessee 1982. Song is still performed in Knoxville when University of Tennessee Vols score a touchdown. In 1992, the Osbornes’ rendition of “Kentucky” led to state song honor from Blue Grass State. Also worked as backing musicians on records by Conway Twitty, Carl Smith, Charley Pride, Wade Ray, Jethro Burns, Mac Wiseman & jazz vibraphonist Gary Burton. Osbornes believed to be first bluegrass act to play on a college campus (1960) and to be invited to perform at The White House (1973). Later recordings reverted to acoustic bluegrass on CDs for CMH, Sugar Hill, Pinecastle. Elected to Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame 1994. National Heritage award from National Endowment for the Arts 1997. Performed with bluegrass/hip-hop fusion act The GrooveGrass Boyz 1997. Sonny Osborne underwent rotator-cuff surgery, quit playing & retired 2004. Bobby Osborne formed Rocky Top X-Press & became a solo Opry star, performing on the show into his 90s. New band recorded for Rounder and Compass. Bobby’s mandolin performance of “Ashokan Farewell” appeared on all-star Bluegrass Mandolin Extravaganza album, winner of IBMA Instrumental Album and Recorded Event awards in 2000. In 2021, Bobby Osborne had late-career bluegrass hit with a version of Merle Haggard’s “White Line Fever.”

RALPH GORDON, 84, died June 30.
Pioneered entertainment law in Nashville. Clients included Tammy, Merle, Paycheck, Gilley, Jerry Lee, Greenwood, Tim McGraw, Mel Tillis, George Jones, Rodney Carrington, record labels, many Music Row businesses.

DUANE TABINSKI, 53, died June 30.
Founder of Nashville-based production company DUANE. More than 30 years producing live events with audio, video, lighting & staging services. Clients included CMA Music Fest, Toby Keith, Old Crow Live, ZZ Top, Boston, Bob Dylan, Katy Perry. Electrocuted while working at NASCAR Chicago Street Race.

WALT WILSON, 68, died July 3.
Former record executive at MCA, Capitol, Compendium. Independent consulting company. Teacher at Belmont University. Helped country careers of Strait, Reba, Lyle, Trisha, others.

THOM ROBERTS, 68, died July 9.
Long-tenured stage lighting technician, notably on the road with Randy Travis for many years.

HAROLD CRAFT CRUMP, 91, died July 12.
Television executive with long tenure at Nashville WTVF 1956-81. Station launched Oprah Winfrey’s career. VP & GM 21st Century Productions 1975-81 (Hee Haw, Candid Camera, Hee Haw Honeys). KPRC Houston 1981-84; WCSC Charleston, SC 1987-91; KSTP St. Paul 1990-97. Developer of Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Nashville Advertising Federation Man of the Year 1971.

EDWIN WILSON, 59, died July 14.
Guitar craftsman. At Gibson Guitars 1985-2017, rising to master luthier founder of Gibson Custom Art & Historic and Historic Program Director to preserve iconic instruments. Joined Harmony and Heritage Guitars 2017-23.

PAUL PRESTOPINO, 84, died July 16.
Multi-instrumentalist in bluegrass and folk groups. Mandolin in  Greenbriar Boys. Also toured with Chad Mitchell Trio, Peter Paul & Mary. Studio musician for John Denver, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Aerosmith, Rick Derringer, Alice Cooper, others. Engineer for NY studio The Record Plant. Later in New Jersey country groups Roosevelt String Band, Hold the Mustard, Magnolia Street String Band.

JERRY BRADLEY, 83, died July 17.
Country Music Hall of Fame member. Formerly head of RCA Records Nashville 1973-83. Producer of hits for Charley Pride, Dave & Sugar, Dottie West, Jimmy Dean, others. Marketed & designed Wanted: The Outlaws, country’s first Platinum Record (1976). Signed Alabama, Ronnie Milsap, Steve Wariner, Earl Thomas Conlee, Gary Stewart to RCA. Under his direction, RCA named country’s “Label of the Year” by Billboard for 10 consecutive years, Became vice president at Opryland 1983-93 and general manager of Opryland Music Group, including 16th Avenue Records and Acuff-Rose song publishing. Signed Dean Dillon, Casey Beathard, Kenny Chesney as staff songwriters; mentored Troy Tomlinson as exec. Formerly engineer at Bradley’s Barn recording studio in 1960s for discs by Loretta Lynn, Roy Clark, Mickey Newbury, Burl Ives, Dinah Shore, Gordon Lightfoot, The Who, others. President of CMA in 1974-75, charter alumnus of Leadership Music 1990. Head of Fan Fair committee 1970-2000, overseeing CMA Fest dramatic growth.  Began career 1963 at family’s Forrest Hills Music company. Son of Decca/MCA’s Owen Bradley (1915-1998), nephew of the AFM’s Harold Bradley (1926-2019), brother of Patsy Bradley (BMI), father of Clay Bradley (BMI), widower of ASCAP’s Connie Bradley (1945-2021), grandfather of John Bradley (Eclipse Music) & Lillian Grace Bradley (Easy Eye Sound). Also nephew of Columbia Studio’s Charlie Bradley & Ruby Strange, cousin of engineer Bobby Bradley. Owen & Harold also members of Country Music Hall of Fame as co-founders of Music Row.

VICTOR L. CLAY, 85, died July 18.
Gospel producer & guitarist, noted for Rex Humbard’s Cathedral of Tomorrow TV broadcasts. Operated Artists Recording studio in Cincinnati 1970s. In Nashville, produced Cathedrals Quartet records & owned Potters Clay Music Group & Vic Clay Productions. Guitarist on sessions for Mickey Newbury, Ray Flacke, Jeff Ferguson, others.

JAN WOODS, died July 20.
Independent radio-promotions veteran, specializing in “starter” stations of Billboard and MusicRow charts. Clients included Dolly, Billy Ray, Bellamys, Toby, George Jones, Joe Nichols.

CHUCK FLOOD, 78, died July 21.
Renowned business manager, co-founder of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy (FBMM). Clients included Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Vince Gill, Pearl Jam, Miranda Lambert, Diplo. Co-owner Hayes Street Music publishing company. Previously in A&R and promotion at Warner and Capitol. With landscaper wife Beth (1943-2021) hosted star-studded annual holiday parties.

ROGER SPRUNG, 92, died July 22.
Banjo player and educator. In The Shanty Boys (Elektra Records) in 1950s. Three albums on Folkways as Progressive Bluegrass with various band members in 1960s. Eight solo albums on own Showcase label. Taught banjo to John Stewart (Kingston Trio), Erik Darling (Weavers, Rooftop Singers), Harry Chapin, Chad Mitchell.

CHRIS FORT, 74, died July 24.
Photographer who documented jazz stars who played The Exit/In — Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Mann, Buddy Rich, Memphis Slim, etc. Founded Nashville Watersports store. Patented ergonomic computer keyboard.

RANDY MEISNER, 77, died July 26.
Founding member of The Eagles. Sang high harmony & played bass. Lead vocal on “Take It To the Limit.” Harmony voice on “Best of My Love,” etc. On iconic LPs Eagles, On the Border, One of These Nights, Hotel California. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee 1988. Previously in Poco and  Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band as country-rock pioneer.

ROBERT McCONNELL, 87, died July 26.
Nashville painter and graphic designer who created more than 300 album jackets — Elvis, Cash, Oaks, Gaithers, Jordanaires, etc. Helped design the original CMA Award statuette and GMA’s distinctive Dove Award image. In 1973-80 he won five Dove Awards for Best Album Design of the Year. Prolific creator of paintings in various genres — portraiture, surrealism, impressionism, mixed media — displayed in numerous Southern art galleries. (Full name: Robert Branch McConnell III).

MISHA HUNKE, 58, died Aug. 8.
Vice President, Administration & Publisher Relations at BMI. Guided publishers & industry execs on digital initiatives, royalties, licensing, data quality, administration. With BMI on Music Row 35 years. Leadership Music class 2011.

TREVA JANE COX CHRISCO, 98, died Aug. 11.
North Carolina bluegrass concert promoter. Also a music journalist in Pickin,’ Muleskinner and Bluegrass Unlimited under the byline “Mrs. J.D. Chrisco.” Mother of Bluegrass Unlimited writer, banjo player Sandy Hatley.

CHAD SELLERS, 48, died Aug. 15.
Nashville country songwriter. Cuts by indie acts Dan Harrison, Bryan Ruby, Joseph Xavier, Derek Johnson, Daniel Anderson, Nate Cook, Cassandra, Neil Cooper, Nathan King, Ava Paige, Don Louis, others. A cowriter with MusicRow founder David M. Ross.

VERNON OXFORD, 82, died Aug. 18.
Outstanding, uncompromising retro honky-tonk vocal stylist. Charted seven times on RCA in 1970s, including biggest hit “Redneck” (1976). Albums: Woman Let Me Sing You a Song (1967), By Popular Demand (1975), I Just Want to Be a Country Singer (1976). Became big in England with “Field of Flowers,” “I’ve Got to Get Peter Off Your Mind.” Meteor Records issued 1978 collections Tribute to Hank Williams, Nobody’s Child. On Rounder thereafter with albums If I Had My Wife to Love Over (1979), His and Hers (1980), A Better Way of Life (1981), Keeping’ It Country (1982). Also recorded for Stop, Release, Phonorama, Rocade, Rutabaga, Omni and other indie labels. Keeper of the Flame five-CD boxed-set by Germany’s Bear Family Records 1995. Appeared in films The Thing Called Love (1993), Country Gold (1982) & Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980). Turned to gospel music 1990s. Formerly Kansas State Fiddle Champion. Moved to Nashville 1964, championed by Harlan Howard, who took him to RCA.

DON MULKEY, 93, died Aug. 19.
Virginia bass player best known for 1956-76 tenure with Rebel Records duo Benny & Vallie Cain on the Washington D.C. bluegrass scene. Also backed Rounder Records banjo player Johnnie Whisnant and rockabilly Billy Hancock on disc.

BOB FELDMAN, 83, died Aug. 23.
Songwriter, producer. Moved to Nashville 1990s after successful NY career. Cowrote debut Dusty Drake country single “And Then” 2002. Billy Walker cut his cowritten “Will There Be Love After You” & “Two Tickets to Texas Tonight” 2021. Better known for producing & cowriting 1963’s “My Boyfriend’s Back” for The Angels. Also produced 1965’s “Hang on Sloopy” for The McCoys. Own group The Strangeloves scored with his cowritten “I Want Candy” (1965). Worked with Link Wray, Dion & The Belmonts, others. Book: Thoughts and Feelings From the Heart (2019). (full name: Robert C. Feldman)

CLAUDE STEPHENSON, 70, died Aug. 30.
State Folklorist of New Mexico who co-founded Santa Fe Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival (now known as Santa Fe Tradfest). Mandolinist, guitarist, fiddler in bluegrass, swing, Celtic & country bands.

JIMMY BUFFETT, 76, died Sept. 1.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member. Big pop & country hit 1977’s “Margaritaville” became brand name for business empire encompassing restaurants, hotels, resorts, bars, casinos, clothing, packaged food, spirits, books, outdoor furniture, home goods, merchandise. Biggest hit “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” a 2003 duet with Alan Jackson. Also scored a No. 1 country hit via 2011’s “Knee Deep” with Zac Brown Band. Phenomenal career based on concert tours featuring celebratory throngs wearing Hawaiian shirts and/or shark-fin hats tossing beach balls. Perennially faithful devotees dubbed “Parrotheads.” Buffett moved to Nashville 1969 & became  reporter at Billboard magazine. In 1971, first artist to play the new Exit/In nightclub. Moved to Key West, but more than a dozen albums recorded in Nashville 1970-85 with producers with Nashville producers Don Gant, Norbert Putnman, Jimmy Bowen, Tony Brown, Mac McAnally,. Publishing company and record labels (Mailboat Records, Margaritaville Records) also Nashville based. Songs included “Come Monday,” “Volcano,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Why Don’t We Get Drunk (and Screw),” “Changes in Attitudes, Changes in Latitude,” “Fins,” “Son of a Son of a Sailor,” “Coconut Telegraph,” “One Particular Harbor,” “If the Phone Doesn’t Ring It’s Me.” Songs recorded by Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Tompall & Glaser Brothers, Willie Nelson, Clint Black, Lefty Frizzell, Crystal Gayle. Coral Reefers band included Nashville’s McAnally, Josh Leo, Vince Melamed and Tim Krekel with Marshall Chapman, Bergen White, Buzz Cason, Shane Keister, Kenny Buttrey, Reggie Young, Randy Goodrum and various other Nashvillians along for the ride at various shows.Songs on soundtracks of films Rancho Deluxe, FM, Goin’ West, Summer Rental, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and Urban Cowboy. He did cameo appearances in a number of movies, had recurring role as helicopter pilot on TV’s Hawaii Five-O 2011-2020. His books all made New York Times best-sellers lists — Tales From Margaritaville (short stories), Where Is Joe Merchant (a novel), A Pirate Looks at Fifty (a memoir), A Salty Piece of Land (a novel). Also wrote two musicals and two children’s books. Co-owned two minor-league baseball teams, three retirement communities, own cannabis brand, a video game, luxury real estate in five states. According to Forbes, he was worth more than $1 billion. In 1993, Buffett played the Tennessee Ball at Bill Clinton inauguration & President sat in on sax and was an honorary Coral Reefer for the night. Duet version of “Margaritaville” with Alan Jackson 1999, CMA Award 2003 for same team’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.” Also CMA nominated for 2004’s “Hey Good Lookin” with Kenny Chesney, Strait, Toby, Jackson on Nashville CD License to Chill on his Mailboat label. No. 1 country album also featured collaborations with Clint Black, Nanci Griffith, Bill Withers, Martina McBride (tio-20 country hit “Trip Around the Sun”). Greatest-hits album Songs You Know By Heart sold seven million copies. Boxed set Boats, Beaches, Bars and Ballads sold four million copies. Six other albums Platinum, eight others Gold.

DANA THORIN, 71, died Sept. 3.
Managing and Sales Director at Sierra Records in 1990s. Label marketed Gram Parsons, Hillmen, Country Gazette, Gene Clark, Muleskinner, Doug Dillard, etc. Later owned instrument accessories company Music Caravan.

ELVIN B. THOMAS, 92, died Sept. 6.
Bluegrass-gospel guitarist noted for 25-year tenure on TV’s The Carl Tipton Show on NewsChannel 5 in Nashville.

NEIL HAISLOP, 79, died Sept. 7.
Country-music journalist and broadcaster. Noted as longtime writer for Watermark radio’s American Country Countdown, also worked for United Stations Radio Networks and contributed articles to Country Fever magazine. Book: Billboard Hitmakers: Giants of Country Music. Longtime member of Grammy country-screening committee. Began career as radio newscaster in West Virginia, his home state. Noted for nurturing, kindly, empathetic, positive personality. (Full name: Samuel Neil Haislop).

CHARLIE ROBISON, 59, died Sept. 10.
Texas country singer-songwriter. Began performing in late 1980s in Austin with local bands. Solo career began 1996 with album Bandera. Signed with Lucky Dog/Columbia imprint in Nashville 1998. Charted with “Barlight,” “My Hometown,” “Poor Man’s Son,” “I Want You Bad,” “Walter” 1999-2003. Nine albums, including Good Times (Dualtone, 2004) featuring “El Cerrito Place,” later recorded by Kenny Chesney & title track on soundtrack of HBO series True Blood. Final albums Beautiful Day (2009), High Life (2013). Judge on USA Network’s Nashville Star TV competition 2003 with Tracy Gershon, Robert K. Oermann discovered Miranda Lambert, Buddy Jewell, John Arthur Martinez. Throat surgery 2018 damaged vocal cords & forced retirement. Formerly married to Emily Strayer of Dixie Chicks. Brother of hit singer-songwriter Bruce Robison (“Travelin’ Soldier,” “Wrapped,” “Desperately,” “Angry All the Time,” “What Would Willie Do”).

DAVE ROE, 71, died Sept. 15.
Bass player for Johnny Cash in the iconic Tennessee Three during the 1990s. Also played on more than 500 albums as a studio professional — Faith, Mellencamp, Loretta, CeeLo Green, Chrissie Hynde, Dwight, Kristofferson, Yola, Rodney, Carrie, Marcus King, Ray LaMontagne, Jim Ed Brown, Dan Auerbach, Taj Mahal, Eddy Arnold, Iris DeMent, Billy Burnette, Sturgill Simpson, Ian Hunter, Merle, Brian Setzer, Kurt Vile, Tony Joe White, Rosie Flores, Malcolm Holcombe, Brandy Clark, Joe Ely, Richard Lloyd, David Olney, Bruce Robison, Allison Moorer, Jack Clement, Don Schlitz, Duane Eddy, Kathy Mattea, Shawn Camp, Gretchen Peters. Began Nashville career in Jerry Reed’s band. Also gigged with Chet, Mel, Charlie Louvin, Dottie, Vince, Gosdin during early career. In Nashville nightclubs in band of Rosey Carter Nix. Hired by Cash 1992. Performed in Don Kelley Band on Lower Broadway. Gigged at Dee’s Country Lounge, 12th South Taproom and other local venues. Participated in Cash’s career-reviving “American Recordings” albums produced by Rick Rubin 1994-2010. In local band The Slobeats with Kenny Vaughan and Pete Abbott. (Full name: Dave Roe Rorick)

WILLIS SPEARS, 83, died Sept. 17.
Bluegrass singer/guitarist, best known as Curly Seckler’s partner in The Nashville Grass 1981-1994 on four LPs. Formerly in Cumberland Mountain Trio for one LP.

BOB CORBIN 75, died Sept. 18.
Member Corbin/Hanner Band. Hit country songwriter with six top-10 hits written for others. Biggest songs included “Blind in Love” Mel Tillis (No. 6 1979), “Dinosaur” Hank Williams Jr. (1980), “On the Wings of My Victory” Glen Campbell (1982), “Fire in the Night” Alabama (No. 1 1984), “In the Middle of the Night” Mel Tillis (No. 10 1984), “Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” Alabama (No. 1 1985), “I’ll Never Be. In Love Again” Don Williams (No. 4 1987), “An American Family” Oak Ridge Boys (No. 4 1989), “She Rides Wild Horses” Kenny Rogers (1999). Cuts by Anne Murray, Lee Ann Womack, Jessi Colter, Joe Sun, Johnny Carver, Marshall Tucker Band, Burl Ives, Mel McDaniel, Joe Grushecky & Iron City Houserockers, Michael Martin Murphey, Earl Thomas Conley, more. Corbin/Hanner Band formed 1977 with Dave Hanner, his friend since the 7th grade in Ford City, PA.. Unusual as group with two lead singers who were both strong solo writers. Charted 11 times 1979-1993, notably with Corbin songs “America’s Sweetheart,” “Livin’ the Good Life,” “Oklahoma Crude,” “One Fine Morning,” “Concrete Cowboy,” “I Will Stand By You.” Corbin’s “Work Song” (1990) a morning drive-time favorite and popular national video. Song endures as a Pittsburgh blue-collar radio staple. Albums For the Sake of the Song 1981, Son of America 1982, Black and White Photograph 1991 (on Mercury), Just Another Hill 1992 (on Mercury), Live 1997, Every Stranger Has a Story 1998, By Request 1998, Originals 2000, 12 Bands of Christmas 2007, And the Road Goes On 2008. Three music videos. TV appearances Pop Goes the Country, Nashville on the Road, etc. Final band show 2014.

EDANA CORBIN, 77, died Sept. 21.
Country-music journalist, mystery/romance novelist (as “EB Corbin”), business manager for Corbin/Hanner Band. When interviewing Mel Tillis for a story in CountryStyle magazine, she pitched band’s tunes. He signed group’s Bob Corbin & Dave Hanner for publishing and recorded many of their songs. Widow of Bob Corbin. Died three days after he did.

MIKE HENDERSON, 70, died Sept. 22.
Co-writer of Chris Stapleton hits “Broken Halos” & “Starting Over,” both CMA Song of Year winners. Former also won Best Country Song Grammy in 2017. Co-founder of progressive bluegrass band The SteelDrivers. Featured weekly for 40 years as Monday night mainstay at Bluebird Cafe. Played guitar, fiddle, mandolin, Dobro and harmonica while playing in folk, bluegrass, rock, country and blues bands. Joined blues-rocking The Roosters, which evolved into The Kingsnakes, signed by Curb Records 1989. His cowritten “Powerful Stuff” recorded by Fabulous Thunderbirds and featured on soundtrack of Tom Cruise movie Cocktail (1988). Songs also recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Gary Allan, Patty Loveless, [Dixie] Chicks, Travis Tritt, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Marty Stuart etc. As session musician appeared on discs by Emmylou Harris, Kelly Willis, Lucinda Williams, Sting, Waylon Jennings, John Hiatt, Albert King, Tim McGraw, Hank Williams Jr., Faith Hill, Guy Clark, Bob Seger, Blake Shelton, Delbert McClinton, Martina McBride, Loveless, Chicks. Signed as solo by RCA 1993. Album Country Music Made Me Do It, single “Hillbilly Jitters” charted 1994. Formed Dead Reckoning collective with Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch, Harry Stinson, Tammy Rogers. Three Dead Reckoning albums — Edge of Night (1996), First Blood (1997), Thicker Than Water (1999). Last two with his blues-rock band The Bluebloods. Toured as sideman for Mark Knopfler 2001. Henderson and Rogers co-founded SteelDrivers 2006, issued its debut album 2008, named New Artist of Year by IBMA 2009. Group’s 2010 CD Reckless nominated for a Grammy. Henderson/Stapleton SteelDrivers song “If It Hadn’t Been for Love” recorded by Adele. Other songwriting collaborations for Stapleton included “Midnight Train to Memphis,” “Second One to Know,”“Death Row.” Solo album 2015 If You Think It’s Hot in Here. Record producer for Bluebloods, John Oates, Dale Watson.

BOB SIGGINS, 85, died Sept. 22.
Banjo player in notable Boston bluegrass band The Charles River Valley Boys. Albums Bringin’ in the Georgia Mail (1961), Bluegrass and Old-Time Music (1962), Blue Grass Get Together (1964). Band is best known for 1966’s Beatle Country on Elektra. Siggins spent 1963 with The Jim Kweskin Jug Band. Multi instrumentalist who also performed on records by Eric Von Schmidt, Hazel Dickens, Geoff Mudaur, Buffy Sainte-Marie.

RON HAFFKINE, 84, died Oct. 1.
Record producer, composer and music manager most recognized for his work as a producer and manager of Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, producing hit singles including “Sylvia’s Mother,” “The Cover of Rolling Stone,” “Sharing the Night Together,” “A Little Bit More” and “When You’re in Love with a Beautiful Woman” and achieving 67 Gold and Platinum records. Also worked with Olivia Newton-John.

LOYAL JONES, 95, died Oct. 7.
Appalachian educator and author. Beginning 1970, Director of Appalachian Studies at Berea College in North Carolina. Authored 13 books, including biographies of Bradley Kincaid and Bascom Lamar Lunsford. Encyclopedia: Country Music Humorists and Comedians. Also Laughter in Appalachia, Appalachian Folk Tales, The Preacher Joke Book, Appalachian Values, etc. Berea’s Appalachian Center now named for him.

ANNE ELIZABETH WALL CHRISTESON, 74, died Oct. 8.
Principal harpist with The Nashville Symphony in the 1960s and 1970s, beginning in 1961, when she was 12.

BUCK TRENT, 85, died Oct. 9.
Banjo great familiar to millions via regular TV appearances on Porter Wagoner Show, Hee Haw and Marty Stuart Show. Humorist, songwriter,  singer, recording artist. Inventor of the electric banjo. Heard on albums by Wagoner, Nancy Sinatra, Mac Wiseman, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Norma Jean, Johnnie & Jack, Roy Clark, others, plus 15 solo albums. Played distinctively rhythmic acoustic-guitar licks opening Dolly Parton’s iconic “Jolene.” Also played on her original version of “I Will Always Love You” and on her LPs Coat of Many Colors (1973), My Tennessee Mountain Home (1973), Rainbow (1987). Played Dobro, mandolin, electric bass, guitar as well five-string banjo. Featured on TV show of Cousin Wilbur (Westbrooks) in Asheville, North Carolina at age 17. In California 1950s, performing on Town Hall Party, Hometown Jamboree etc. Fronted own bands in San Angelo, Texas and Atlanta (on WJFB-TV). Moved to Nashville 1959, joined band of Bill Carlisle. After brief stint with Bill Monroe, joined Porter Wagoner’s troupe 1962. This is where he developed his electric-banjo innovation alongside steel-guitar maestro Shot Jackson. Played on all the Wagoner/Parton hit duets. Joined Roy Clark 1973 & remained with him for seven years. They were part of first country road show to tour Soviet Union (1976). He and Clark created several dazzling duet performances & were named the CMA’s Instrumental Group of Year in 1975, 1976. Joined Hee Haw cast with Clark & remained with show for 19 years. Recorded for the Smash, RCA, Boone, Dot and ABC labels, as well as for his own imprint. Among his best-known collections were Bionic Banjo (1976), Oh Yeah! (1977), Buck Trent (1986). Became a headliner in Branson, MO 2008-2015. Featured on Stuart’s TV show & recorded on 2012’s Stuart CD Tear the Woodpile Down. Did 2018 “Kornfield Friends” Hee Haw reunion tour with former show regulars Lulu Roman, Misty Rowe, Jana Jae. Final solo album, Spartanburg Blues 2018.

JARED S. PALMER, died Oct. 18.
Musician, producer, owner of SongFarm Studios in Nashville.

CHARLINE WILHITE, 87, died Oct. 22.
Membership Services Administrator of ASCAP on Music Row for 35 years, prior to her retirement in 2010.

MARGIE HUNT, died Oct. 22.
CBS/Sony Records exec for 30 years. Began as secretary in A&R department, graduated to guide more than 100 artists’ recordings, working with Cash, Jones, Willie, Kris, Tammy, Haggard, Skaggs, Patty, Sweethearts, Chicks, Tritt, Exile, Shenandoah, Ray Charles, more. Next became Sr. Director of Product Development, placing label’s music in more than 30 movies & TV shows. Won two Grammys as producer. Launched marketing firm Hunt Music Services 2005. Started career with Waylon Jennings Enterprises at Glaser Studio, headquarters of “outlaw” country movement. SOURCE honoree 2022.

MERV SHINER, 102, died Oct. 23
Country singer who originated the children’s Easter favorite “Here Comes Peter Cottontail.” Cast member of the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree. He also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and starred on several early country television shows. He recorded for Decca, RCA and MGM, among other labels. Between 1949 and 1969, he placed four singles on the country popularity charts.

TRISH WILLIAMS WARREN, 78, died Oct. 23.
Former contributor at Al Gallico Music Publishing, Mercury Records, JK Productions with Jerry Kennedy. Retired 1991, SOURCE honoree 2007.

BILL RICE, 84, died Oct. 28.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member. Earned 73 ASCAP awards during his career. Among the No. 1 country hits he co-wrote are “Lonely Too Long” (Patty Loveless, 1996), “Wonder Could I Live There Anymore” (Charley Pride, 1970), “Would You Take Another Chance on Me” (Jerry Lee Lewis, 1972) and “Ain’t She Something Else” (Conway Twitty, 1985). His songs were recorded by Hank Williams Jr., Sonny & Cher, Reba McEntire, Robert Goulet, Loretta Lynn, Glen Campbell, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Bare, Bobby Blue Bland and Tammy Wynette, among many others.

MARGARET ANN WARNER, 85, died Nov. 4.
Independent entertainment publicist, working with many music clients. Formerly at WZTV and Multimedia as Director of Public Relations and president of Nashville Advertising Federation. Nashville socialite with West End Avenue mansion and elegant Christmas parties.

JIM VIENNEAU, 97, died Nov. 9.
Country producer, former head of MGM Nashville, Acuff-Rose exec. Produced pop hits Conway Twitty “It’s Only Make Believe” (1958), Sheb Wooley “Purple People Eater” (1958), Mark Dinning “Teen Angel” (1959), Connie Francis “Vacation” (1962), Roy Orbison “Ride Away” (1965). Moved to Nashville to head MGM office 1965. Produced multiple hits for Hank Williams Jr., Mel Tillis, Jimmy C. Newman, 1965-76. Also on MGM country roster Jeannie. C. Riley, Marvin Rainwater, Lois Johnson, Stonemans, Floyd Cramer, Bob Gallion, Ben Colder, Tony Booth, Sherry Bryce, Tompall & Glaser Brothers. In 1972, Billboard named him Country Producer of Year. During 1970s, MGM launched Marie Osmond (“Paper Roses”), Jim Stafford (“Spiders and Snakes”), C.W. McCall (“Convoy”) and signed Eddy Arnold, Billy Walker, Jerry Wallace. Label sold & folded 1976.

TRAVIS STIMELING, 44, died Nov. 15.
Professor of musicology who directed the West Virginia University’s bluegrass and old-time music bands. Co-wrote Charlie McCoy’s 2017 autobiography 50 Cents and a Box Top and authored several other country-music books — Nashville Cats: Record Production in Music City, Songwriting in Contemporary West Virginia, Cosmic Cowboys and New Hicks: Austin’s Progressive Country Music Scene, The Country Music Reader, The Oxford Handbook of Country Music. Editor of the West Virginia University Press’s “Sounding Appalachia” book series. Guitarist, record producer, member of the string band Half Past Four.

ABE STOKLASA, 38, died Nov. 17.
Nashville songwriter with cuts by Tim McGraw, Charlie Worsham, Blake Shelton, Charles Kelley. Biggest hits “Fix” sung by Chris Lane, “Get To You” by Michael Ray, “Brand New” by Ben Rector, “Ocean” by Lady A. Multi instrumentalist (mainly sax & steel guitar) who formerly toured with David Nail, Billy Currington.

GARY BURNETTE, 70, died Nov. 23.
Nashville guitarist and producer. Extensive recording credits include albums by Cledus T. Judd, Little Big Town, Rose Falcon, Lee Brice, Etta James, Cowboy Troy, Jeffrey Steele, Kim Carnes, Big & Rich, Taylor Swift, Holly Williams, Mindy Smith, Mitch Ryder, Jennifer Hanson, Becky Hobbs, Riders in the Sky, Elizabeth Cook, Whites, John Tesh, Colt Ford, more. Particularly noted as guitarist on CCM records — Twila Paris, Chris Tomlin, Crabb Family, Wayne Watson, Ginny Owens, Jaci Velasquez, Kathy Troccoli, Clay Crosse, Margaret Becker, Bob Carlisle, Charlie Peacock, Phillips Craig & Dean, etc.

BILL MAYNE, 72, died Nov. 28.
Executive director of Country Radio Broadcasters, guiding annual Country Radio Seminar convention 2009-2019. Formerly 15-year career at Warner Music, rising to senior vice president/general manager and v.p. of promotions. Began career in radio, programming various formats, launching KASE in Austin and leading KZLA/KLAC in Los Angeles & WBAP/KSCS in Dallas. Own consulting/management firms Mayne Entertainment and Mayne Street Consulting. On ACM board 35+ years, former chairman of organization’s Lifting Lives. Co-founded St. Jude Country Cares for Kids program, national v.p. of MDA, on mayor’s Nashville Music Council. Leadership Music class 1997.

ESSRA MOHAWK, 75, died Dec. 11.
Nashville pop singer-songwriter who previously performed in Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention and Jerry Garcia Band. Wrote big Cyndi Lauper 1987 hit “Change of Heart” and Tina Turner cut “Stronger Than the Wind.” Cuts by The Shangri-Las, Vanilla Fudge, McFradden & Whitehead, Keb Mo. Also songs for TV’s Schoolhouse Rock, Joan of Arcadia, All My Children. More than a dozen solo LPs, including acclaimed Primordial Lovers collection on Reprise 1977. Booked to play iconic hippie 1969 Woodstock Festival, but missed her slot so sang although not officially billed. Backup vocals for Carole King, John Mellencamp, Kool & The Gang. Moved to Nashville 1993 & recorded six LPs in Music City. (Birth name Sandra Elayne Hurvitz)

RICHARD ANTHONY WILLIAMSON, 67, died Dec. 12.
Nashville songwriter with cuts by Kenny Chesney, Kentucky HeadHunters, Davis Daniel, Engelbert Humperdinck, Brad Martin and more. Cowriters included Whitey Shafer, Donny Kees, Michael Huffman, Mike Geiger, Woody Mullis, George McCorkle.

LAURA LYNCH, 65, died Dec. 22.
Founding member of Dixie Chicks 1989. Played bass, sang lead. Performed on group’s first three albums, Thank Heavens for Dale Evans (1990), Lil Ol’ Cowgirl (1992), Shouldn’t a Told You That (1993). Performed at Summer Lights festival in Nashville 1991. Left group 1993. Group achieved mainstream country stardom with lead singer Natalie Maines, who joined 1995.

JEAN STOKER, 95, died Dec. 25.
Bookkeeper for Country Music Hall of Famers The Jordanaires. Widow of group member Gordon Stoker (1924-2013). Mother of Country Hall of Fame audio archivist Alan Stoker and Les Kerr Bayou Band musician Brent Stoker, formerly at WSM.

Index:

Alese, Matt – 2/16
Badger, Faye — 3/19
Beasley, Paul — 3/13
Benke, Vern — 6/16
Blair, Harold — 6/20
Bradley, Jerry — 7/17
Brewer, Matthew Barrett — 6/14
Bruce, Dix — 2/1
Buffett, Jimmy — 9/1
Bunch, Pat — 1/30
Burnette, Gary — 11/23
Capps, Jeff — 1/3
Capps, Mark — 1/5
Castle, Bill — 2/27
Chrisco, Treva Jane Cox — 8/11
Christeson, Anne Elizabeth Wall — 10/8
Clay, Victor — 7/18
Clayton, Lee — 6/12
Corbin, Ben – 9/18
Corbin, Edana – 9/21
Corrigan, Robert — 6/8
Crockett, Uncle Steve — 2/23
Crump, Harold Craft — 7/12
Diller, Dwight — 2/14
Edwards, Joe — 2/3
Feldman, Bob — 8/23
Flood, Chuck — 7/21
Fort, Chris — 7/24
Gattis, Keith — 4/23
Gloria Belle — 5/5
Gordon, Jim — 3/13
Gordon, Ralph — 6/30
Haffkine, Ron — 10/1
Haislop, Neil — 9/7
Harris, C.J. — 1/15
Hayes, Craig — 2/5
Henderson, Mike — 9/22
Hitchcock, Stan — 1/4
Hunke, Misha — 8/8
Hunt, Margie — 10/22
Jacobs, Kyle — 2/17
Jones, Loyal — 10/7
Knight, Peggy — 3/8
Land, Ralph — 2/24
Landis, Richard — 5/16
Leadon, Tom — 3/22
Leverett, Les — 6/2
Lightfoot, Gordon — 5/1
Loach, Deborah — 5/25
Lomax, John Nova — 5/22
Longo, Cody — 2/8
Lynch, Laura — 12/22
McCann, Peter — 1/26
McConnell, Robert — 7/26
McReynolds, Jesse — 6/23
Mayne, Bill — 11/28
Meisner, Randy — 7/26
Mitsui, Toru — 2/19
Moffett, George — 5/14
Mohawk, Essra — 12/11
Mulkey, Don — 8/19
Newton, Calvin — 3/3
Nolan, Terri — 6/20
Oakley, Jeanie — 3/13
Oezle, Gary — 1/23
Osbon, Bruce — 3/3
Osborne, Bobby — 6/27
Oxford, Vernon — 8/18
Palmer, Jared S. — 10/18
Pillow, Ray — 3/26
Presley, Lisa Marie – 1/12
Prestopino, Paul — 7/16
Redel, Roger — 6/22
Rhodes, Michael — 3/4
Rice, Bill – 10/29
Roberts, Thom — 7/9
Robison, Charlie — 9/10
Roe, Dave — 9/15
Rossington, Gary — 3/4
Russell, Rusty — 3/27
Russell, Marvin — 3/12
Sellers, Chad — 8/15
Shepherd, John — 4/3
Shiner, Merv – 10/23
Siggins, Bob — 9/22
Sloan, Melvin — 2/26
Smith, Randy — 2/9
Snow, John — 2/14
Spears, Ron — 3/22
Spears, Willis — 9/17
Sprung, Roger — 7/22
Stephenson, Claude — 8/30
Stimeling, Travis — 11/15
Stoker, Jean – 12/25
Stoklasa, Abe — 11/17
Strachwitz, Chris — 5/5
Tabinski, Duane — 6/30
Thiels, Liz — 3/19
Thomas, Elvin — 9/6
Thompson, Bob — 3/24
Thorin, Dana — 9/3
Trent, Buck — 10/9
Tribe, Ivan — 4/4
Vienneau, Jim – 11/9
Vincent, Joe Mack — 4/6
Walters, JD Dawson — 6/24
Warner, Margaret Ann — 11/4
Warren, Trish Williams — 10/23
Weil, Cynthia — 6/1
Whipple, Sterling — 6/2
Wilhite, Charline — 10/22
Williams, Don — 1/6
Williams, Vivian — 1/6
Williamson, Rick — 12/12
Wilson, Edwin — 7/14
Wilson, Walt — 7/3
Woods, Jan — 7/20

Longtime Music & Radio Industry Executive Bill Mayne Passes Away

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Bill Mayne

Longtime music and radio industry executive and former CRB/CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne has died at 72 after a long-term illness.

Mayne’s nearly 50-year career included a decade at the helm of CRS as well as time at multiple radio stations and a 15-year stint at Warner Bros. in Nashville.

Mayne started his career in radio, working on-air in programming roles across diverse formats, including top 40, rock and country music, where he found his calling. Mayne launched KASE in Austin and went on to lead KZLA/KLAC in Los Angeles and KSCS/WBAP in Dallas.

After time spent in radio, he transferred over to the records side of the building, joining Warner Bros./Nashville. During his 15 years there, Mayne held various influential roles, from regional to VP of Promotion, eventually becoming Sr. VP/General Manager and VP of Promotion.

A devoted member of the CRB Board, Mayne became the Board Vice President before assuming the role of Executive Director in 2009. He held the position for a decade before stepping down in 2019. The same year, Mayne received the organization’s President’s Award and was recognized for the significant contributions he’d made to the radio industry.

The multi-hyphenate business man also presided over Mayne Entertainment, an artist management company, and Mayne Street Consulting, a private entertainment consulting firm, offering valuable insights and guidance to clients in the entertainment field.

Mayne was also deeply involved in the industry’s charitable endeavors, serving as a former Board member of the Country Music Association and spent over 35 years on the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors, including roles as Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the ACM. His legacy also includes co-founding the St. Jude Country Cares for Kids Program, a monumental initiative that has raised over $700 million for St. Jude since its inception in 1989. Additionally, he held the role of National VP for MDA and was a distinguished member of Leadership Music and the Mayor’s Nashville Music Council.

Mayne is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Sallie Mayne, who was his steadfast partner throughout his incredible journey. He is also survived by his sons Bryant Mayne and Christopher Mayne, his grandchild Everleigh Mayne and mother-in-law Helen Wood.

Mayne’s life will be memorialized at a Celebration of Life event on Jan. 30, 2024 on the second floor of ACME Feed & Seed from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to drop by at their convenience, and come ready to share stories and fond memories of Mayne. In addition to sharing stories, a special montage is being created to commemorate Mayne’s journey through the years. Contributions to the photo montage can be sent to [email protected]g to be included.

Donations can be made in his honor to St. Jude and ACM Lifting Lives.

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RJ Curtis, the current Executive Director of CRB/CRS, shared the following statement regarding Mayne’s passing: “The passing of Bill Mayne marks a profound loss for the entire country music community. Bill was a true giant in every sense of the word. His fifty years of passionate work positively impacted everyone he met, in nearly every segment of our business, through his time in radio, the music industry, artist management, entrepreneurialism, and, of course, his decade of leadership as Executive Director for CRB. Bill Mayne navigated the organization through a period of great adversity, ultimately reestablishing CRS as the premier industry event that it is today.”

Damon Whiteside, CEO of the Academy of Country Music, shared, “On behalf of our membership and Board of Directors of the Academy and ACM Lifting Lives, I am deeply saddened by the loss today of Bill Mayne, a true giant of the Country Music industry, an invaluable champion of the Academy of Country Music, and one of our longest serving Board Members. Bill dedicated more than 35 years of service to the ACM Board, including serving as the Chairman for both the Academy and ACM Lifting Lives. I am comforted that we were able to celebrate his phenomenal legacy this summer by presenting him with our ACM Service Award at the 16th ACM Honors. Bill had a huge heart, as evidenced by his incredible philanthropic work, including his service to ACM Lifting Lives. His impact, passion, and devotion to the Country Music industry and community will live on forever. On behalf of all of us at the ACM, we send our love and prayers to his family, friends, and all who have been lucky enough to work with and know him.”

CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said, “Bill had great passion for Country Music going back to his days in radio. I first worked with him in 1996 on a TV special when he was with Warner Bros. Nashville. I was struck by his enthusiasm for the format and ability to get things done. Years later, we were both officers of the ACMs, where his great knowledge of board governance and organization was a huge asset to our leadership team. Most recently, we got to work together when he joined the CMA Board of Directors, where he served from 2016 to 2018. My deepest condolences to Sallie and his sons.”

Hit Producer & MGM Exec Jim Vienneau Dies At Age 97

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Jim Vienneau

Jim Vienneau, whose record productions launched the careers of Hank Williams Jr., Conway Twitty, Mel Tillis and more, has passed away in Nashville at age 97. He was formerly the head of the MGM Records country division and an executive at Acuff-Rose.

A native of Albany, New York, Vienneau was born in 1926 as the son of a salesman and a silent-movie pianist. During World War II, he served in the Navy.

He was the nephew of legendary pioneering country producer and Columbia Records talent scout Frank Walker (1889-1963). Walker discovered dozens, including Bessie Smith and Hank Williams. In 1946, he co-founded MGM Records with Williams and Bob Wills as its flagship country artists.

Mentored by Walker, Vienneau went to work for MGM in New York in 1955. He first made his mark as the producer of such MGM pop hits as Mark Dinning’s “Teen Angel” (1959), Conway Twitty’s “It’s Only Make Believe” (1958), Connie Francis’s “Vacation” (1962), Sheb Wooley’s “The Purple People Eater” (1958) and Roy Orbison’s “Ride Away” (1965).

In 1965, the label transferred him to Nashville to head its country-music division. Between 1965 and 1976, he produced 13 top-10 hits for the young Hank Williams Jr, including “Cajun Baby,” “Pride’s Not Hard to Swallow” and “I’ll Think of Something.” He began producing Tillis in 1970 and their work together resulted in “I Ain’t Never,” “Sawmill,” “Memory Maker’ and 10 other top-10 hits. Vienneau also produced Jeannie C. Riley’s 1972 comeback hit “Give Myself a Party.”

His other MGM artists included Jimmy C. Newman, Marvin Rainwater, Lois Johnson, The Stonemans, Floyd Cramer, Bob Gallion, Ben Colder, Tony Booth, Sherry Bryce and Tompall & The Glaser Brothers. In 1972, Billboard named him its Country Producer of the Year. During the 1970s, MGM launched Marie Osmond (“Paper Roses”), Jim Stafford (“Spiders and Snakes”) and C.W. McCall (“Convoy”) and signed Eddy Arnold, Billy Walker and Jerry Wallace.

MGM Records was sold to PolyGram, which folded the imprint in 1976. Following a brief stint at 20th Century Records, Jim Vienneau joined Acuff-Rose Publishing in 1982. He worked with the firm’s writers Lorrie Morgan, Aaron Tippin and Kenny Chesney, all of whom later became recording stars. He was also involved with the company’s writers Buddy Brock and and Donny Kees.

Over the years, Vienneau produced such artists as Bob Luman, Charlie Walker, Roy Acuff, Melvin Endsley, Donna Fargo, Wayne Newton and Narvel Felts. He retired in 1998.

Jim Vienneau died at his Nashville home on Nov. 9. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Joan Preston. He is also survived by daughters Nancy Neill, Carole Zeller and Barbara Green; son James; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A private ceremony will be held at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date. Harpeth Hills Memory Garden & Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.