LifeNotes: Memphis Horns Star Wayne Jackson Passes

Wayne Jackson. Photo: Waynejacksonmusic.com

Wayne Jackson. Photo: Waynejacksonmusic.com

Trumpeter Wayne Jackson, who won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 as one-half of the Memphis Horns, died on Tuesday night (June 21).

Jackson lived in Nashville and played on sessions in Music City during the 1980s. Along with fellow Memphis Horns player, saxophonist Andrew Love, Jackson performed on a reported 52 No. 1 songs, 83 million-selling albums, 116 Top 10 records and 15 Grammy-winning records.

Among the stars they recorded with were Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Neil Diamond, U2, Billy Joel, Peter Gabriel, Sam & Dave, Elvis Presley, Dusty Springfield, Otis Redding and Jack White. The trumpet star also toured with Jimmy Buffett, Rod Stewart, The Doobie Brothers and Joe Cocker.

Jackson and Love were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville in 2008. Love died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease in 2012.

Wayne Jackson died in a Memphis hospital of congestive heart failure, according to his widow Amy Jackson. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

LifeNotes: Bill Ham, Founder Of Hamstein Music, Passes

Bill Ham

Bill Ham

Bill Ham, a veteran manager, producer, songwriter and publisher, passed away in his sleep in Austin, Texas, on June 20. He was 79 years old.

Although he was best known as the longtime manager, producer and publisher of ZZ Top, Ham also made his mark in country music by managing Clint Black and publishing his songs through Hamstein Music. He was instrumental in Black’s signing to RCA Records in 1989, although the business partnership between the two men landed in court after a 1992 dispute about royalties and publishing rights.

Ham was born in 1937 in Waxahachie, Texas. He began his music career as a record promoter for Bud Dailey Distributing in Dallas before encountering a Houston-based group called Moving Sidewalks, which was opening a concert for the Doors in 1968. Ham formed Lone Wolf Management to manage them.

Soon after the band’s dissolution, Billy Gibbons, their front man, founded ZZ Top with Bill Ham continuing his role as manager. After some personnel changes, the band’s enduring line-up of Gibbons (guitar) bassist/vocalist Dusty Hill and drummer Frank Beard solidified and continues to this day.

Ham’s vision for what ZZ Top could become was an instrumental trigger to the band’s massive success. His role was critical in shaping their image as “that little ol’ band from Texas.” A 1970 contract with London Records ensued and he became the group’s producer in the studio as well as, on occasion, a songwriting partner.

Ham’s business relationship with ZZ Top ended in 2006. Upon hearing of his death, the members of ZZ Top issued the following statement: “We were saddened to hear of Bill Ham’s passing. His early vision and continuing encouragement were invaluable; his efforts and energy will always remain deeply appreciated.”

In addition to owning the music publishing rights to ZZ Top’s catalog, Ham created Hamstein Music. Since 1987, Hamstein has accrued over 100 Top 10 singles in country music, which include 60 No. 1 records, all penned by writers signed to Ham’s company.

These writers include Clint Black, Hayden Nicholas, Frankie Miller, members of Little Texas, Tom Shapiro, Chris Waters, Rick Giles, Chuck Jones, Tommy Barnes, Stephen Allan Davis, Billy Kirsch, Tony Martin, Reese Wilson, Lee Thomas Miller, Monty Criswell, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and others. In 2002, Ham sold Hamstein Music’s copyrights and publishing assets to Mosaic Media Group in a multi-million dollar transaction.

Ham’s latest venture had been a return to country music and the Nashville publishing business. He recently had launched Wolftracks Music Publishing Company and signed songwriters Presley Tucker and Spencer Bartoletti, professionally known as the group Reverie Lane. They are also signed to Lone Wolf Management.

LifeNotes: Rick Christian, Writer Of “I Don’t Need You,” Passes

Rick Christian

Rick Christian

Rick Christian, a songwriter best known for Kenny Rogers’ “I Don’t Need You,” has died. He was 61. Christian died on May 3. His death was confirmed to MusicRow by his nephew, Tim Revell.

“I Don’t Need You” spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard country chart in 1981 and was a No. 3 pop hit. It was the lead single from Rogers’ album, Share Your Love, which was produced by Lionel Richie.

Christian issued his own version of “I Don’t Need You” for Mercury Records in 1978. Harry Nilsson also recorded it for a 1980 album, Flash Harry.

Christian released an album titled Sweet Young Thing on Columbia Records in 1983. He independently released an album titled Voodoo Country in 2006.

Christian lived in Nashville. There was no funeral service, per his wishes and those of the family. A memorial service is expected at a later date, Revell said.

LifeNotes: Chips Moman, Hit Producer And Songwriter, Passes

Chips Moman

Chips Moman

Chips Moman, a songwriter and producer who made his mark in country music after a significant career in R&B, died Monday (June 13) in LaGrange, Georgia, after a long illness. He was 79.

Moman was born with the name Lincoln Wayne Moman in LaGrange, Georgia, on June 12, 1937. He received his nickname because of his skills as a poker player.

As a songwriter, his credits include 1977’s “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)” for Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, co-written with Buddy Emmons.

With Emmons, Moman also wrote the two-week No. 1 single, “The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want to Get Over You,” recorded by Waylon Jennings. Prior to that, Moman and co-writer Larry Butler composed a two-week No. 1 country hit for B.J. Thomas titled “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.” The recording won a 1975 Grammy for Best Country Song.

R&B staples from his catalog include “Dark End of the Street” and “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man,” co-written with Dan Penn.

As a country producer, he won ACM Awards for Willie Nelson’s single “Always on My Mind” and corresponding album, also titled Always on My Mind. Nelson and Merle Haggard enlisted him to produce “Pancho & Lefty.” In addition, he collected a 1985 ACM Award as producer of “Highwayman,” the iconic single recorded by Johnny Cash, Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Nelson, known collectively as the Highwaymen. Moman also produced the first two albums for the Highwaymen.

He produced a collaborative 1986 album titled Class of ’55: Memphis Rock & Roll Homecoming that brought together Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins. Interviews from that session won a 1986 Grammy for Best Spoken Word or Non-Musical Recording.

Elvis Presley fans know Moman as the producer of standards like “In the Ghetto,” “Suspicious Minds” and “Kentucky Rain.” Presley recorded those songs at American Sound Studio for the 1969 album, From Elvis in Memphis.

Moman had strong ties to Memphis by working at Stax Records and producing the label’s first hit single—Carla Thomas’ 1960 release, “Gee Whiz.” Within a few years, after leaving Stax, he opened American Sound Studio in Memphis, where Dusty Springfield recorded her enduring 1969 album, Dusty in Memphis. Moman was also an accomplished guitarist who played numerous sessions in Memphis and Muscle Shoals, Alabama.

Only making occasional appearances in the last few decades, Moman had lived in LaGrange since 1994. In 2012 he gave a public interview at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Museum Editor Michael Gray, Gene Chrisman, Bobby Emmons and Weldon Myrick; (Front row, L-R): Bobby Wood, Chips Moman and Reggie Young. Photo: Donn Jones

Chips Moman after a Country Music Hall of Fame program in 2012. Pictured (Back row, L-R): Museum Editor Michael Gray with musicians Gene Chrisman, Bobby Emmons and Weldon Myrick; (Front row, L-R): Musicians Bobby Wood, Chips Moman and Reggie Young. Photo: Donn Jones

LifeNotes: Pop/Country Stylist Floyd Robinson Passes

Floyd Robinson

Floyd Robinson

Floyd Robinson, best known for his 1959 top-20 pop hit “Makin’ Love,” has died at age 83.

Born in 1932, Robinson was a Nashville native who decided on a career in music while he was still a youngster. He formed his first band, The Eagle Rangers, and the group entertained at local teen dance parties and school functions. While he was still in high school, Robinson had his own radio shows on WLAC and WSM.

The Eagle Rangers served as the touring band for such stars as George Jones, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold and Jimmy Dickens. They also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1958, Floyd Robinson wrote the novelty song “The Little Space Girl.” It was recorded by his cousin, Jesse Lee Turner, and became a pop hit.

The following year, Chet Atkins signed Robinson to RCA Records and produced “Makin’ Love.” The song was particularly popular overseas and had cover versions recorded in French, German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish.

RCA released the Floyd Robinson LP in the wake of that hit, but the singer-songwriter never charted again. He continued to record teen-oriented singles for the labels Jamie, Dot, Groove and United Artists in the 1960s.

In 1973, Robinson resurfaced as the inventor of “Christian animal music.” During the next few years, he issued at least 14 LPs of children’s evangelical music.

Among the titles were Charlie the Hamster Sings the Ten Commandments, Ricky the Cricket Bible Songs, The Adventures of Bernie the Billy Goat: Songs for Sunday School, Woody Woodchuck Sings Bible Stories, Charlie the Hamster Sings Christmas Songs, Barney the Bear Sings Bible Stories and The Adventures of Finley the Fish.

In 1977, the estate of David Seville (Ross Bagdasarian) sued Robinson because his recordings supposedly sounded too much like The Chipmunks. The matter was settled out of court, and Robinson discontinued making his animal records.

In the 1990s, Floyd Robinson published two books, 1992’s instruction manual Guitar Playing Made Easy and 1994’s novel The Guitar. His teen-pop records were reissued on CD in 1994.

Floyd Robinson died on May 28. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Sherry Peacock and Donna Decker, brother William, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

All services will be private. For online condolences, please visit hendersonvillefh.com.

LifeNotes: Revered Vocal Coach Phoebe Binkley Passes

Phoebe Binkley

Phoebe Binkley

Phoebe Binkley, who coached dozens of Nashville superstars and thousands of unknowns for more than 40 years, passed away on May 11 at age 78.

She was officially a vocal coach, but her many clients thought of her as a career counselor, a life advisor, a guidance guru, a confidante and much more. Among her high-profile students were Kathy Mattea, Ronnie Milsap, Hilary Williams, Ronnie Dunn, Ranger Doug Green, Barbara Cloyd and Crystal Gayle.

Binkley also coached Reese Witherspoon in her Oscar-winning performance singing the songs of June Carter in the Johnny Cash bio movie Walk the Line.

The coach was born Phoebe Knox in Memphis in 1937. Her career began as a radio singer-pianist. One early gig was on the Nashville show “Youth on Parade” alongside Pat Boone. She graduated from Vanderbilt University.

She sang as a soprano for several seasons with the St. Louis Municipal Opera, then went to Manhattan to study and perform.

Returning to Music City, she was recruited by Theatre Nashville to sing the lead in its production of La Boheme. The opera’s musical director was Bob Binkley (1934-2012), whom she married in 1960.

She first entered the country music world as a songwriter. Superstar Marty Robbins (1925-1982) recorded a dozen compositions by Bob & Phoebe Binkley in the 1960s and 1970s. Phoebe assumed leadership of Bob’s vocal-coaching business in 1971, when he became more involved in conducting, arranging and music education. She was noted for treating aspiring amateurs with the same care and attention she provided to Nashville’s biggest stars.

She became so well known in her field that she was chosen to appear on TV’s To Tell the Truth (“Will the real Phoebe Binkley please stand up!?”). She also continued to compose. She and her sister-in-law Ella Prince Knox created the musical Belle! Another notable relative was her father, Jack Knox (1910-1985), who was an editorial cartoonist for The Nashville Banner for many years.

Phoebe Knox Binkley died from complications of Post-Poliomyletis Syndrome. She is survived by son Ed Binkley and daughter Carolyn Knox Binkley. Carolyn, a former Belmont University instructor, will continue the family’s Nashville business, “Voice By Binkley.” Other survivors include Phoebe’s brothers Joseph and Britt Knox, her grandchildren, her nieces and her nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held at Vine Street Christian Church on Friday, June 3 at 8 p.m. Everyone is invited to sing in the choir. Come dressed as Binkley would have you, in a way that makes you feel best about yourself.

Memorial contributions may be made in Phoebe Binkley’s name to BrightStone, P.O. Box 682966, Franklin, TN 37068 or to the W.O. Smith Community Music School, P.O. Box 121348, Nashville, TN 37212.

LifeNotes: Schatzi Hageman’s Son, Bryan Hageman, Passes

candle lifenotes11

MusicRow sends its condolences to veteran public relations executive Schatzi Hageman and her family. Hageman’s son, Bryan Hageman, passed away Thursday evening (May 19) in Memphis. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

Funeral arrangements were unavailable at press time. Condolences may be sent to schatzi@hotschatzpr.com.

LifeNotes: “The Bluegrass Storyteller” James King Passes

James King

James King. Photo: Julie Lillard King

James King, a Grammy-nominated bluegrass artist signed to Rounder Records, died Thursday afternoon (May 19), according to a spokesperson from the label. He was 57 years old.

Affectionately known as “The Bluegrass Storyteller,” King was well-known in the bluegrass community for starting to cry (along with the audience) when he sang sad songs. His 2013 album, Three Chords and the Truth, was nominated for a Grammy for best bluegrass album. The project gave a bluegrass arrangement to weepers like “Chiseled in Stone” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

King was also a recovering alcoholic who suffered complications from a prolonged battle with cirrhosis of the liver. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and close friends, including his longtime girlfriend, Becky Rhodes; his brothers Andy and Jason, and sister-in-law Leticia; his aunts Debbie Moxley and Nadine Isley; and friends Junior and Susan Sisk, Dudley and Sally Connell, Harry and Louise Rhodes, and Charlie Snelling.

Born in Martinsville, Virginia on September 9, 1958, and raised in Carroll County, King grew up immersed in bluegrass. Both his father and his uncle were professional bluegrass musicians, and during his formative years, King was surrounded by music.

Following a stint in the Marine Corps, King decided to follow family tradition, and launched his musical career. He was signed to Rounder Records in 1992, where he released a series of critically acclaimed and award-winning albums, including his last recording for the label, Three Chords and the Truth.

Among his many achievements, King was a 12-time Bluegrass Music Award Winner, and in 1997, the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) voted the James King Band the Emerging Artist of the Year.

In 2014, King was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. Alison Krauss sent along the following remarks, which were read at the ceremony: “Nine years ago, my father and I heard a man singing in a jam session between two campers in Maryland when it was pitch black outside. Our jaws hung open, and then we had to search the festival site to retrieve the top of my head. The voice we heard was magnificent. It was so powerful, emotive, haunting, and one of a kind. It was you, singing ‘Cry, Cry, Darlin.’ We had the opportunity to speak with you, and found your spirit and generosity shared the same qualities. I’m so happy you are receiving this award. How proud the state of Virginia must be to be able to claim you as their own, and to give this award to someone whose voice has taken so many of us back to another time when life had such a beautiful, simple dream attached to it. Congratulations James King. FANTASTIC!!!”

Rounder Records co-founder Ken Irwin signed King in 1992, and produced a number of his recordings for the label. Irwin reflects, “James had an uncanny ability to wring the emotion out of every song he sang, and he was one of the most intuitive singers in all of bluegrass. He sang from and to the heart, and had the rare gift of being able to make audiences feel, no matter what it was he was singing about. He was a born storyteller, and loved to tell stories before, during, and after songs.” He continues, “His love of singing and entertaining came through in everything he did, and those qualities made him one of the most popular and beloved artists on the bluegrass circuit. James’ big voice was only matched by his outsize personality. He was my friend, and I will miss him.”

King was predeceased by his daughter Shelby Ann, who died in 2012. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.

LifeNotes: Longtime WSM Producer, Music Director Kevin Anderson Dies

Kevin Anderson. Photo courtesy WSM

Kevin Anderson. Photo courtesy WSM

Longtime WSM Radio producer and music director Kevin Anderson died Monday, May 16 in Nashville. He was 56 and died of cardiac arrest.

Anderson moved to Nashville from Stoughton, Wisconsin, to attend Belmont University, but left to join country artist Jana Jae’s touring band. He then began backing Sonny James on guitar and background vocals.

Anderson left the road to begin working at Nashville’s WSM Radio, first as a producer for Bill Cody’s morning show, then as WSM-FM’s music director. He also worked part-time as an announcer for the Grand Ole Opry during his career.

“We are saddened by the loss of one of our great WSM voices, Kevin Anderson,” says WSM General Manager Chris Kulick. “For years, Kevin devoted his time and efforts to entertaining and informing country music fans both near and far. He will be greatly missed, and we express our deepest condolences to his family and all who knew him.”

He is survived by his mother, Eunice; his siblings, Bonnee (Pete) Nelson, Beth Suddeth, Robin (Sami) Khalaf, Keith (Tammy) Anderson, and Ken (Susan) Anderson; his nieces, Nicole Nelson and Samantha Jo Suddeth; and nephews, Ryan (Francie) Khalaf, Shane (Taylor) Khalaf, Tyler (Jess) Anderson, Justin (Corinne) Anderson, Luke Anderson, Jacob Anderson, Drew Nelson, and Brandon Suddeth. He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin; and brother, Steven.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 23, 2016 at West Koshkonong Lutheran Church in Stoughton, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the West Koshkonong Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.

LifeNotes: Emilio Navaira, Former Capitol Nashville Artist, Passes

Emilio album

Emilio Navaira, a Tejano superstar who crossed over into country music in the 1990s, died Monday, May 16. He was 53.

Emilio was born in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 23, 1962. His singles for Capitol Nashville included “It’s Not the End of the World,” which reached No. 27 on the country singles chart in 1995.

Although he charted five more singles for the label, none of them entered the Top 40. However he maintained a major presence in Tejano music for the remainder of his career.

 

Navaira’s son, Diego Navaira, is a member of the Warner Music Nashville group The Last Bandoleros.

Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, stated, “Possessing one of the greatest voices in the history of Tejano music, Emilio Navaira was an icon in the genre. Both a Grammy and a Latin Grammy Award winner, he showcased his strong Texas roots in everything he did. From his relentless touring schedule to his impressive lyrics and signature sound, Emilio was beloved by many, and helped to shape an entire genre of music. Our creative community has lost a uniquely gifted talent, and our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege and honor of working with him. He will be missed.”