ZZ Top’s Dusty Hill Passes

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Photo: Courtesy Bob Merlis

Joseph Michael “Dusty” Hill, bassist of legendary rock group ZZ Top, passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, Texas on July 27. He was 72.

Born in Dallas, Hill, his brother Rocky, and future ZZ Top member Frank Beard got their start playing in local Dallas bands the Warlocks, the Cellar Dwellers, and American Blues. In 1968, the band relocated to Houston where Rocky left the band and Dusty and Beard joined guitarist/vocalist Billy Gibbons in ZZ Top, just after they released their first single in 1969. Playing bass and keyboards in the band, Hill also provided vocals as well, and sang lead on “Tush,” the band’s first Top 20 hit and one of its most popular songs.

ZZ Top racked up dozens of hits through the decades and packed arenas with their hard-driving mix of Southern rock and blues. In the 80’s they hit pay dirt when they released a series of albums that added funky synthesizer sounds to their hard-driving guitars, yielding massive hits like “Legs,” the quintessential “Sharp-Dressed Man,” and “Gimme All Your Lovin,'” which sold 10 million copies and remained on the Billboard charts for 183 weeks.

Hill and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. He played with ZZ Top for over 50 years until his death.

“We are saddened by the news today that our Compadre, Dusty Hill, has passed away in his sleep at home in Houston, TX,” a statement from surviving members Frank Beard and Billy Gibbons, said. “We, along with legions of ZZ Top fans around the world, will miss your steadfast presence, your good nature and enduring commitment to providing that monumental bottom to the ‘Top.’ We will forever be connected to that ‘Blues Shuffle in C.’ You will be missed greatly, amigo.”

Music-Video Mainstay Martin Kahan Passes

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Martin Kahan

Prominent and prolific music-video maker Martin Kahan has died at age 74.

Noted for his work with top country stars, Kahan passed away in Lakewood, New Jersey on Sunday (July 18) following a battle with cancer. The director’s career began during the dawn of the music-video era and endured into the new millennium. He was particularly noted for his work with Kenny Chesney, Sawyer Brown and Neal McCoy.

Martin Samuel “Mendel” Kahan was born in Miami. The son of a rabbi, he began his film career in documentaries. Actor Lorne Greene narrated his film about “frog-gigging” in the Florida Everglades. Kahan also created a documentary about rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins.

Moving to Toronto, then New York, he gravitated to working in the then-emerging field of music videos in the early 1980s. MTV went on the air as a pop-music outlet for videos in 1981, and CMT followed suit for country clips in 1983.

Kahan’s early clients included rock stars such as Rush, Scandal, Ian Hunter, Clarence Clemons, Bon Jovi, Loverboy, Michael Bolton, Motley Crue, Kiss, The Scorpions and Eddie Money.

By the mid-1980s, he was working in Nashville. His early country videos included career-establishing 1985-88 hits by Sawyer Brown—“Betty’s Bein’ Bad,” “Heart Don’t Fall Now,” “Out Goin’ Cattin’” and “Shakin.’”

The two 1984 clips he created for Ricky Skaggs on the streets of Manhattan drew particular acclaim—“Honey (Open That Door)” (which featured a cameo by New York Mayor Ed Koch) and “Country Boy” (with Bill Monroe in a prominent role). Another ‘80s effort was John Anderson’s “Countrified” (1986).

As the decade continued, Martn Kahan became increasingly associated with country music. He eventually established a residence in Nashville.

Some of the most iconic country videos of the 1990s were directed by him. These included the award-winning “Chattahoochie” by Alan Jackson (1993) and “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” by John Michael Montgomery (1995), plus “Then What” by Clay Walker (1998), “Hog Wild” by Hank Williams Jr. (1995) and “High Powered Love” by Emmylou Harris (1993).

Among his more than 30 country-music clients were David Ball, Billy Dean, T.G. Sheppard, Emilio, Ty England, The Gibson Miller Band, John & Audrey Wiggins, Kieran Kane, Dude Mowery, Andy Childs, The Buffalo Club and Rick Trevino.

Kahan directed multiple videos for Confederate Railroad, including “Trashy Women,” “Daddy Never Was the Cadillac Kind” and “When You Leave That Way You Can Never Go Back.” His many clips for Neal McCoy included “Wink,” “No Doubt About It” and “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye.”

In 1997, he created the “She’s Got it All” and “That’s Why I’m Here” videos for Kenny Chesney. In 2000, Chesney’s “I Lost It” became Kahan’s final music video.

Four months after completing it, Martin Kahan fell down a flight of stairs at a friend’s home in Nashville, suffering severe brain damage. He remained a lively raconteur about events from his past, but was unable to retain new information.

His declining health sidelined him professionally, and he eventually became homeless. His rabbinical family stepped in to provide long-term care at a facility in Lakewood.

Final arrangements have not been announced.

Industry Member Ben Ewing Passes

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Ben Ewing

Music industry member Ben Ewing passed away on Sunday (June 27), according to a post on his Facebook. He was 67.

He was General Manager at Plowboy Records, the Nashville-based label established in 2012 to promote and further the legacy of the late singer Eddy Arnold. Plowboy has released projects by Country Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Bare, as well as JD Wilkes & The Dirt Daubers, Buzz Cason, The Ghost Wolves and more. Ewing most recently oversaw management of punk artists The Dead Boys/Cheetah Chrome and The Bad Signs, and guided Plowboy Records releases from The Kentucky Headhunters, Chuck Mead, Paul Burch, Smoky White Devils and Richard Lloyd of Television.

Before joining Plowboy Records, he owned and operated Ewing Management, where he managed the careers of Brandon Jenkins, Johnny Solinger, Michael Lattanzi, and more. Prior to that Ewing was General Manager at the artist management, music publishing, and record distribution company, Red Dirt Music Company.

He also spent time at Progression Music Group and Artist Envoy Agency in Nashville, and was CEO of the radio and television broadcasting company South Eastern Communications in Bowling Green, Kentucky for 10 years.

Ewing was a veteran of the Vietnam War and got his start in the music business working for Phil Walden at Capricorn Records.

A memorial service will be held Monday, July 12 at 6 p.m. at Sellars Funeral Home at Mt. Juliet. Visitation with the family will be held on Monday, July 12 from 4-6 pm.

Music Row Veteran Larry Sheridan Passes

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Larry Sheridan

Music industry member Larry Sheridan died on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at age 69. He died of adrenocortical carcinoma, an aggressive and rare form of cancer, according to his wife Robin Ruddy Sheridan.

Larry was born on Oct. 31, 1951 in Rockville Centre, New York. He grew up on Long Island, where he worked on the family farm. In high school he was one of three co-captains of the gymnastics team and went on to join the Regional Champions team, The New York Athletic Club, as a gymnast where his specialty was the rings.

A talented musician, in the ’70s Larry acted as a solo artist, playing in clubs around New York City and Long Island.

He and his wife moved to Nashville in 1986 and bought, renovated and added on to a bungalow on Music Row and created The Parlor, and Parlor Productions, a recording studio and production facility. Through their work at The Parlor, Larry became a mentor to many music industry professionals, spawning many successful artists, song pluggers, artist managers and hit songs. Well-known artists such as Vince Gill, Amy Grant, John Michael Montgomery and Kenny Chesney recorded at the studio. Robin and Larry took part in the Grammy winning album, Beautiful Dreamer: Songs of Steven Foster, having recorded “Old Folks at Home (Swanee River),” at The Parlor.

Larry was the President of the Nashville Publisher’s Network for a time, working to preserve the integrity and financial well-being of singers and songwriters. He also served on the boards of the YMCA and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He was a leader in the historic preservation and redefinition efforts of the Music Row Neighborhood Association. Caring deeply about protecting the rights and future of the songwriting community, he was a mentor and a sponsor of the National Songwriters Association International (NSAI) for over a decade.

A man of many talents, Larry was also formerly a licensed general contractor and a cabinetmaker.

Larry and Robin co-founded Music Row Realty in 2006, developing an additional business that specializes in the entertainment industry’s real estate needs. His background in general contracting helped his clients envision the possibilities of an improved property.

Larry is survived by his wife of 34 years, Robin Ruddy Sheridan, two sisters Pat Rini and Betty Lange, 7 nieces and nephews, and 8 grand nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life for Sheridan held on Aug. 10 from 4-6 p.m. at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville.

Donations can be sent in his name to MusicCares and Music Health Alliance, or to the family’s GofundMe to help cover the expense of the studio on Music Row, the home, and all the funeral expenses. Cards and letters can be sent to Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home (660 Thompson Ln., Nashville, TN 37204).

Veteran Reporter Jim Bessman Passes

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Noted music journalist Jim Bessman died Tuesday, June 22, at age 68 following years of declining health.

His death in New York was due to an aneurysm, according to publicist Bob Merlis, a longtime friend. In recent years, Bessman had battled cancer, heart failure, COVID-19 and other ailments.

Jim Bessman is best known as a reporter for Billboard magazine. He freelanced for that publication for more than 25 years. He was also a former contributor to MusicRow. His monthly MusicRow column was titled “Gotham Gossip” and chronicled Nashville artists’ activities in Manhattan.

He was born in Milwaukee and raised in Madison, Wisconsin. Bessman dropped out of school to write for alternative rock periodicals, then became a stringer for Variety. He moved to New York to work for Cashbox magazine.

By the mid-’80s, he was writing for Billboard, publishing concert reviews, artist profiles, retail stories and a regular column about songwriters and publishers. This is also when he began making regular visits to Music City.

He became particularly fond of Grand Ole Opry artists, including Alison Krauss and Bill Anderson. His Nashville experiences always included a backstage Opry visit, where he was invariably welcomed by all of the acts.

Bessman also loved the annual Fan Fair festival, now known as the CMA Music Fest, and seldom missed one. His country-music friends were numerous and included Kris Kristofferson, Jo-El Sonnier, Steve Popovich and Carlene Carter.

In New York, Bessman was particularly close to Lisa Loeb, Ashford & Simpson, Tony Bennett, Sandra Bernhardt and The Ramones. He was a champion of genres such as polka, zydeco, Cajun, blues, opera and rockabilly. He embraced independent artists.

He made an annual pilgrimage to Los Angeles, and on those occasions Merlis threw large celebrity “Bessman Bash” parties in his honor. As was the case in New York and Nashville, he knew hundreds of stars there.

Bessman was a fixture at the annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremonies. He was heavily involved in New York’s annual Songwriters Hall of Fame inductions, handling the archival backstage honoree interviews, writing the official bios and assisting with press releases.

He was the author of two books, The Ramones—An American Band and John Mellencamp —The Concert at Walter Reed. He was also the writer of more than 80 album liner-note essays. His works appeared in dozens of music publications, including Spin and Country Rhythms. His online blogs were titled CenterlineNews.com and JimBessman.com.

Despite his vast contacts and many accomplishments, Bessman was very self effacing and always humble. Merlis eulogized his late friend by saying, “To say he will be missed is an understatement of the highest magnitude….We celebrate him now and let every day be a reminder that the Bessman Bash continues in our hearts. He knew he was loved, even though he couldn’t admit it.”

Jim Bessman is survived by a brother and a sister. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Beasley Media Group Founder George Beasley Passes

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George Beasley was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2020.

Beasley Media Group Company Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board George G. Beasley passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, in Naples, Florida. He was 89 years old.

Born on April 9, 1932, Beasley grew up working in the tobacco fields in his hometown of Ararat, Virginia. He enlisted in the Army, graduated from Appalachian State University, and moved to North Carolina in the late 1950s to become a high school principal and coach.

He built his first radio station (WPYB-AM) in Benson, North Carolina in December 1961. Over the next 60 years, his hard work and vision paved the way for what Beasley Media Group has become today – one of America’s premiere publicly traded media companies, consisting of 62 radio properties located in 15 large and medium-sized markets. Beasley stepped back from his role as Chief Executive Officer in 2016, but continued to serve as Executive Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors.

An avid philanthropist, he served on the board of the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters (NCAB), and received numerous awards and accolades throughout his life. In 2020, he was inducted into the Country Radio Broadcasters Hall of Fame and received the Broadcasters Foundation of America Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years Ann, five children, 16 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

While best known for his many trailblazing achievements in the radio broadcasting industry, he will also be remembered for his kindness, integrity and work-ethic.

“George’s unconditional love for our mother, Ann and our family, along with his passion for the radio industry, helped to guide him throughout his lifetime,” said Beasley Media Group Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley. “A loving father, mentor, and friend, I will especially miss his incredible wisdom, keen insight and gentle smile.”

A memorial service will take place for family and friends in Naples, Florida. Details will be forthcoming. A private burial service will be held for the family in Ararat, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the Beasley family requests donations be made in his name to The Broadcasters Foundation of America, 125 West 55th Street, 4th Floor New York, New York 10019. Online donations may also be made at www.broadcastersfoundation.org.

B.J. Thomas Dead At 78

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B.J. Thomas

Five-time Grammy award winner and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, B.J. Thomas, died May 29 at home in Arlington, Texas from complications due to stage four lung cancer. He was 78.

Thomas’ expansive career crossed multiple genres, including country, pop, and gospel, earning him CMA, Dove, and Grammy awards and nominations since his emergence in the 1960s.

His career was anchored by numerous enduring hits, among them his million-selling cover of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” the Grammy-winning “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” and the iconic “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” which won the Academy Award for best original song. A five-time Grammy award winner and Grammy Hall of Fame inductee, Thomas has sold over 70 million albums worldwide, scoring eight No. 1 hits and 26 Top 10 singles over his 50+ years in the music industry. His lengthy chart history led to him being named one of Billboard’s Top 50 Most Played Artists Over The Past 50 Years. Such memorable hits as “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” “Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love,” “New Looks From An Old Lover” and “Hooked on a Feeling” have made him a staple on multiple radio formats over the years.

He was born Billy Joe Thomas in rural Hugo, Oklahoma, before he moved to Houston, Texas with his family. He began singing in church as a child and in his teens joined the Houston-based band the Triumphs.

Thomas’s first taste of success came in 1966 when he recorded “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” with producer Huey P. Meaux. Released by Scepter Records, it peaked at No. 8 on the pop charts and became his first million-selling single. He released the follow-up single, “Mama,” and delivered his first solo album that same year.

Thomas’ second million-selling hit came in 1968 with the release of “Hooked on a Feeling” from On My Way, his sophomore album for Scepter. During his days with the New York label, he became friendly with Ronnie Milsap and Dionne Warwick, who were also on the roster at the time. It was Warwick who introduced him to songwriter-producer Burt Bacharach. In January 1970, Thomas topped the charts with “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” Penned by Bacharach and Hal David, the song was featured in the classic Paul Newman/Robert Redford film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, earning the Oscar for best original song. Sales quickly exceeded two million copies and it has remained one of the most enduring pop hits of all time, reoccurring in such films as Forrest Gump, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Clerks II, and Spider-Man 2 as well as multiple TV shows over the years. He followed that career-defining single with a string of pop/rock hits, including “Everybody’s Out of Town,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “No Love at All” and “Rock and Roll Lullaby.”

After six years with Scepter Records, Thomas signed with Paramount Records where he released two albums—1973’s Songs and 1974’s Longhorns & Londonbridges. In 1975, Thomas released the album Reunion on ABC Records, featuring “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” which holds the distinction of being the longest titled No. 1 hit ever on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Like many successful pop/rock artists, Thomas fell into drugs and battled substance abuse. His wife Gloria became a born-again Christian and the turning point in Thomas’ life came when he became a believer in 1976. He immediately quit drugs and found an avenue for expressing his faith in gospel music. Thomas signed with Myrrh Records and released the album Home Where I Belong in 1976. Produced by Chris Christian, the project won Thomas a Grammy and became the first of two Dove Award wins. The album became the first gospel record to sell a million copies. The warmth and emotional timbre of Thomas’ voice was well suited to the genre and he became one of gospel music’s most successful artists. His rendition of “Amazing Grace” is considered one of the most poignant of the classic hymn’s many covers.

In addition to his country and gospel success, Thomas also enjoyed a healthy run on the country charts in the 1980s with such hits as “Whatever Happened to Old Fashioned Love,” “New Looks from an Old Lover Again,” “The Whole World’s in Love When You’re Lonely” and “Two Car Garage.” “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song” was No. 1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs charts. It won the Grammy for Best Country Song in 1976 and was nominated for CMA Single of the Year. On his 39th birthday in 1981, Thomas became the 60th member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Beyond populating multiple radio formats with so many beloved hits, Thomas also voiced the theme song, “As Long As We’ve Got Each Other,” for the popular TV series Growing Pains, and has lent his voice to numerous commercials, including campaigns for Coca-Cola and Pepsi. He can also be seen on television hosting Time Life Music’s Forever 70s infomercial. As an actor, he also appeared in the films Jory and Jake’s Corner. Thomas authored two books, including his autobiography Home Where I Belong.

In 2013, he released The Living Room Sessions, an acoustic album, which celebrated Thomas’ nearly six decades in the music industry. The project featured Thomas dueting with other high profile artists on his most beloved hits, which included teaming with Richard Marx for “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” Vince Gill on “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” Sara Niemietz on “Hooked on a Feeling,” Keb’ Mo’ on “Most of All,” Lyle Lovett on “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” and The Fray’s Isaac Slade on “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.” The album was well-received with critics praising it as a reminder of just how engaging his voice remained after decades of recording and touring.

Though Thomas will be remembered as one of this generation’s premiere vocalists and a consummate entertainer, the humble artist was most proud of his family. He’s survived by his wife of 53 years Gloria, their three daughters Paige Thomas, Nora Cloud, and Erin Moore, and four grandchildren, Nadia Cloud, Keira Cloud, Ruby Moore, and Billy Joe Moore.

A quote from his website exemplifies Thomas’ humble attitude and appreciation for life. “All I am is just another guy. I’ve been very lucky,” he shared. “I’ve had a wonderful life, I’ve been a husband and a father who cherishes his children and now I’m a grandfather, and I’m motivated like all these teachers and preachers and mothers and fathers to help my kids grow up with character and self-respect. I hope that doesn’t sound too grandiose, but that’s what it comes down to. It’s what I’ve tried to do with my music and with the majority of my life.”

Funeral arrangements are forthcoming and will remain private. In lieu of flowers, in-memoriam donations will be accepted by Mission Arlington, Tarrant Area Food Bank, and the SPCA of Texas.

Veteran Songwriter Glenn Douglas Tubb Passes

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Glenn Douglas Tubb. Photo: Courtesy Lyn Stevens

Hit country songwriter Glenn Douglas Tubb died in Nashville on Saturday (May 22) at age 85.

Tubb was active for seven decades on the Nashville music scene, co-writing hits for Johnny Cash, George Jones & Tammy Wynette, Webb Pierce and The Wilburn Brothers, among others. His classic “Skip a Rope” is the current single by Marty Stuart.

“Two Story House” was a hit duet for George Jones & Tammy Wynette in 1980. Tubb co-wrote
it with Wynette and David Lindsey. The songwriter was also a recording artist.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Glenn Douglas Tubb was the nephew of Country Music Hall of Fame member Ernest Tubb (1914- 1984) and the cousin of Grand Ole Opry star Justin Tubb (1935-1998).

His first big songwriting success was 1957’s “Home of the Blues,” co-written with Vic McAlpin and sung by Johnny Cash. In 1959, Ernest Tubb had a hit with his nephew’s song “Next Time.”

Webb Pierce scored a top-10 hit with Glenn Douglas Tubb’s “Sweet Lips” (1961). The Wilburn Brothers did the same with “Tell Her So” (1963).

In 1967, Tubb and Jack Moran co-wrote the social-commentary song “Skip a Rope.” It became a No. 1 country smash for Henson Cargill the following year and crossed over to become a pop hit as well. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1969.

“Skip a Rope” has since been recorded by dozens of others, including Jimmy Dean, B.J. Thomas, Conway Twitty, Autry Inman, Lynn Anderson, The Harden Trio, Gene Vincent, George Jones, Joe Tex, Patti Page, Jack Reno, Rex Allen, Lawrence Reynolds, The Jordanaires, Bobby Bare, The Brothers Four and The Kentucky HeadHunters.

Cash returned to Tubb’s song catalog to record the gospel tune “I Talk to Jesus Every Day” in 1971.

The songwriter’s own recording career included stints with the Dot, Decca, Mercury and MGM labels, sometimes billed as “Glenn Douglas” or “Doug Tubb.” His 1958 LP was titled Heartbreak Alley. Later albums included New Country Psalms, Half and Half, Glenn Douglas, Let Me Cry Alone, Gonna Make My Mark and Aged to Perfection. He appeared on the Opry and on The Ozark Jubilee network TV series.

Tubb toured with Cash, Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Marty Robbins and others. He continued to write and perform until the time of his death, frequently appearing as the host of the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree at the Texas Troubadour Theater near the Opryland Hotel & Resort.

He also sang duets with his wife, Dottie Snow, the daughter of Grand Ole Opry stars Radio Dot & Smokey Swann. The two are ministers. Their weekly service called “The Kitchen Tabernacle” was posted on Facebook Live and Periscope each Sunday afternoon.

Joe Rucker, Jimmy Payne, Glenn Douglas Tubb and his wife Dottie Snow Tubb. Photo: Courtesy Lyn Stevens

Glenn Douglas Tubb’s songs were recorded by Dwight Yoakam, The Collins Kids, Kitty Wells, Charlie Louvin, Hank Williams Jr., Sonny James, Jan Howard, Charley Pride, Bob Dylan, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Nat Stuckey, Gene Watson, Jack Barlowe, Billy Walker, Anne Murray and many more.

At the time of his death, the songwriter was working on a documentary film about his life.

Glenn Douglas Tubb arrangements are being handled by Roesch-Patton Funeral Home & Woodlawn Memorial Park. No services will be held at this time.

Songwriting Great Dewayne Blackwell Passes

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Dewayne Blackwell

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dewayne Blackwell passed away on Sunday (May 23) at age 84.

Blackwell was noted in Nashville for such hits as “Friends in Low Places,” “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home,” “Honkytonk Man” and other country hits. He began his career in pop music as the writer of the classic “Mr. Blue.”

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Dewayne Blackwell migrated with his family to California when he was a boy. His parents were Dust Bowl “Okies.” He was one of eight children who labored alongside them as an itinerant crop picker. The family lived in shanty towns with Latino agricultural workers, which sparked Blackwell’s lifelong interest in Mexico.

His father was a fiddler and guitarist who played for square dances. Blackwell and his younger brother began playing in California bars when he was 14.

After dropping out of high school, Dewayne Blackwell moved to Alaska, where he worked as a stevedore and longshoreman. This is when he began writing songs.

Back in California, he performed and recorded with his family trio The Blackwells in 1958-61. The group’s final single was produced by the legendary Phil Spector. The Blackwells folded when brother Ron Blackwell died in a motorcycle accident. (Ron had posthumous success as the writer of “Lil’ Red Riding Hood,” a 1966 smash for Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs).

Dewayne Blackwell’s first songwriting success occurred when the teen-idol pop trio The Fleetwoods recorded his “Mr. Blue” in 1959. It became a million-selling No. 1 smash that was later recorded by such artists as Bobby Vee, Johnny Crawford, Bobby Vinton, Pat Boone, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Garth Brooks and Bob Dylan.

The Fleetwoods also recorded the songwriter’s “The Last One to Know” (1960). His other pop successes during this early phase of his career included British star Billy Fury’s “Love Or Money” (1961), The Everly Brothers’ “The Ferris Wheel” (1964), Bobby Vee’s “Hickory, Dick and Dock” (1964) and Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs’ “Oh That’s Bad No That’s Good” (1967). His songs were also recorded by Roy Orbison, The Four Preps, Peggy March, Little Richard, The Ventures and other ‘60s pop artists.

Dewayne Blackwell’s first charting country song was 1970’s “Mama Come’n Get Your Baby Boy,” recorded by Johnny Darrell. In 1974, he recorded as a solo artist. But Blackwell’s country songwriting career did not achieve real notoriety until the following decade.

Sometimes co-writing with Larry Bastian, Earl Bud Lee and a few others, he had a solid string of country successes between 1982 and 1992. These included the No. 1 David Frizzell hit “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino” (1982), which was nominated for a songwriting Grammy Award. Other top-10 tunes included “Honkytonk Man” (1982) by Marty Robbins (the title song of a Clint Eastwood movie) and “Saturday Night Special” (1988) by Conway Twitty.

In 1990, Garth Brooks scored the biggest hit of his career with Blackwell and Lee’s “Friends in Low Places.” It was named Single of the Year by both the CMA and the ACM, was nominated for a Grammy and was crowned ASCAP’s Country Song of the Year in 1991.

Other notable Dewayne Blackwell country songs include “Cowboy in a Three-Piece Business Suit” (Rex Allen Jr., 1982), “Turn the Pencil Over” (Porter Wagoner, 1982), “Tulsa Ballroom” (Dottie West, 1983), “A Million Light Beers Ago (David Frizzell, 1983), “Make My Day” (T.G. Sheppard & Clint Eastwood, 1984), “Still Pickin’ Up After You” (The Kendalls, 1987), “When Karen Comes Around” (Mason Dixon, 1988), “Nobody Gets Off in This Town” (Garth Brooks, 1989) and “Yard Sale” (Sammy Kershaw, 1992).

His songs were also recorded by Mark Chestnut, Moe Bandy, The Oak Ridge Boys, Joe Stampley, Merle Haggard, Shelly West, Reba McEntire, Confederate Railroad, Daryle Singletary, Michael Peterson and Floyd Cramer, among others.

In 2003, the songwriter retired to Ajijic, a town on the shores of Lake Chapala in central Mexico. The following year, he opened his restaurant Senor Azul (Mr. Blue) there.

Dewayne Blackwell was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017. His death was confirmed by Wikipedia yesterday.

Music Industry Trailblazer Lou Robin Dies At 90

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Lou Robin

Beloved music industry veteran Lou Robin died May 18, 2021 at the age of 90.

Born Louis Bernard Robin on May 29, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois, he attended the University of Chicago Elementary and High School before his family moved to Los Angeles during his teenage years. While working towards degrees in economics and accounting at Claremont Men’s College in California, Robin began negotiating and arranging performers like Duke Ellington and Count Basie to come play concerts on his campus. From this, a career was born.

In 1957, with help from his college friend Allen Tinkley, Robin founded Concerts, Inc. which would later become Artist Consultants Productions. Under Lou’s direction, the company produced or promoted over 4,000 concerts worldwide during a 52 year period. The company also produced feature films, theatre in the round, an off-Broadway show in New York with Monty Python, and promoted more than two dozen summer series concerts at The Hollywood Bowl featuring such artists as Barbra Streisand, Judy Garland, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. Lou also did shows with Chicago, Queen, The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles.

In 1969, Artist Consultants began their longest running and most important relationship, promoting concerts with The Johnny Cash Show. In 1973, Robin began a 30-year run personally managing Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash until their passing in 2003. He continued to supervise the business affairs of the Cash estate, dealing with record companies and music licensing, until he retired at the age of 88.

A tribute to Robin was posted on Cash’s website, saying: “It is with deep sadness and respect that we mark the passing of music industry legend, Lou Robin, at 90. Lou had an amazing 30-year run personally managing Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash from 1973 until their passing in 2003. The friendship and relationships he and his wife, Karen Wilder Robin, had with the whole Cash family were cherished. Our thoughts are with his sons, Michael and Steve Robin, and their families.”

Robin had been a member of the International Entertainment Buyers Association since its inception, and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2011. He was a long time resident of Pacific Palisades and most recently of Thousand Oaks, California where he resided with his wife Karen until her passing in 2019. Robin is survived by his sons Michael and Steve Robin, their wives Amy and Jenjer, and his granddaughters Mackenzie & Skylar and Karleigh & Savannah.