LifeNotes: Outlaw Country Artist Steve Young Passes

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Steve Young. Photo: steveyoung.net.

Steve Young. Photo: steveyoung.net.

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Steve Young passed away in Nashville on Thursday, March 17, at the age of 73.

Often called a “songwriter’s songwriter,” Young wrote such classics as “Seven Bridges Road,” “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean,” “Long Way to Hollywood” and “Montgomery in the Rain.” He was a key figure in the progressive or “Outlaw” country movement of the 1970s.

Steve Young was born in Newnan, Georgia, on July 12, 1942. He was raised in Alabama and strongly identified with that state’s native son, Hank Williams. His family also lived in Texas during his boyhood.

He spent part of the 1960s in New York City, kicking around the edges of the folk-music scene in Greenwich Village. He relocated to California in 1964 and formed the band Stone Country.

On the West Coast, he performed and recorded with Gram Parsons, Gene Clark and Chris Hillman, all of whom were cornerstone artists in the emerging country-rock genre. Young’s debut LP, Rock Salt & Nails, was issued by A&M Records in 1968. Parsons, Clark and guitar ace James Burton all played on it.

Young tired of Hollywood and moved to Marin County. He ran the Amazing Grace guitar store there for several years before making his way to Music City.

Waylon Jennings recorded Young’s “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean” as the title song of his 1973 album. This record was the first of the star’s self-produced Outlaw collections.

Young’s Nashville-recorded Seven Bridges Road appeared on Reprise Records in 1972. It has since been reissued three times by various other labels. Honky Tonk Man was issued in 1975 by the Mountain Railroad label. Steve Young appeared in the Outlaw music documentary Heartworn Highways in 1976, singing his song “Alabama Highway.” The film featured him alongside such figures as David Allan Coe, Charlie Daniels, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle and Larry Jon Wilson.

RCA picked up his recording contract and issued his two most well known albums, the aptly named Renegade Picker (1976) and No Place to Fall (1978). Both were roots-music classics, with hints of blues and gospel in his Southern country sound. Labelmate Jennings took him on tour as his opening act.

Hank Williams Jr. issued his versions of Young’s “Montgomery in the Rain” and “Long Way to Hollywood” in 1977. Others who recorded his songs include Tracy Nelson, Joan Baez, Ian Matthews, Ricochet, Dolly Parton and Rita Coolidge. Travis Tritt revived “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean” in 2003.

Rounder Records reissued Steve Young’s Seven Bridges Road (1981) and Honky Tonk Man (1984) and also put out the artist’s new sounds on To Satisfy You (1981). Also in 1981, The Eagles scored a pop and country hit with “Seven Bridges Road.”

During this part of his career, Young gave up drugs and alcohol. He’d long been Regarded as a “zen cowboy” and now began to explore spirituality in his music. Recorded in Sweden, his 1985 album Look Homeward Angel added synthesizers to his sound.

His intensity and conviction as a live performer made him a “cult” favorite artist, particularly in Europe. His 1990 collection Long Time Rider was recorded in the Netherlands. He issued his first concert recording Solo/Live in 1991 on Watermelon Records, which also issued 1993’s Switchblades of Love.

Later recordings include 2000’s Primal Young, 2006’s Songlines Revisited and 2007’s Stories Round the Horseshoe Bend.

Steve Young’s son, Jubal Lee Young, competed on NBC’s The Voice in 2015. His current CD is titled On a Dark Highway.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Steve Young believed in reincarnation.

LifeNotes: Music Veteran and SXSW Festival Co-Founder Louis Meyers Passes

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Photo: facebook.com/louis.meyers.589

Photo: facebook.com/louis.meyers.589

Veteran music manager and SXSW co-founder Louis Jay Meyers passed away in Austin, Texas on Friday, March 11, 2016, which was also the opening day of this year’s South By Southwest festival. The cause of death is not immediately known.

Meyers is the co-founder, creator, and former director of the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference (SXSW).  He was part of a small group of Austin boosters who established SXSW in 1987. The first event showcased 200 acts in one hotel. The festival now occupies large areas of the city and incorporates film and technology as well as music.

Once the festival was established, Louis Meyers moved on to become the executive director of Folk Alliance International, 2002-2010. He then became that organization’s special projects director. It was during this phase of his career that he graduated from Nashville’s Leadership Music program in 2012.

In recent years, he has been managing the bluegrass band The Hillbenders. The group made headlines by re-recording the songs of The Who’s rock opera Tommy in bluegrass style. The resulting 2015 CD was titled Tommy: A Bluegrass Opry, released on Nashville’s Compass Records label.

Born in 1955 and raised in Austin, Texas, Meyers was a musician for 45 years, performing live and recording on guitar, banjo, and pedal steel guitar. His credits include recordings or performances with Willis Alan Ramsey, Bruce Robison, Killbilly, Bill & Bonnie Hearne, The Killer Bees, Jello Biafra, Mojo Nixon, Fastball, Michael Hearne, Stonehoney, Tennessee Boltsmokers and many others. As a producer, Meyers won the NAIRD award for Independent Reggae release in both 1987 and 1989 for his work with The Killer Bees.

In the 1980’s, Meyers was a concert promoter producing hundreds of shows at Austin’s legendary Liberty Lunch concert venue and was the primary talent buyer for Austin’s famous Antone’s Nightclub in the late 90’s.

After leaving SXSW in 1995, Meyers directed the LMNOP Music Conference (New Orleans), Rockrgrl Music Conference (Seattle), A2A: Access to Amsterdam Conference (Amsterdam), and the Austin Music Network (AMN) before taking the position as Executive Director of the Folk Alliance International organization and conference in 2005.

A Celebration of Life will be planned with details announced in the coming weeks.

 

LifeNotes: Joey Martin Feek Passes

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Joey + Rory 2016
Award-winning country vocalist Joey Martin Feek has died of cancer at age 40.

She passed away in her hometown of Alexandria, Indiana, on Friday afternoon, March 4, surrounded by her praying family.

Joey Martin was born in Alexandria on Sept. 9, 1975. Her first performance occurred when she was six years old in elementary school. She sang Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors,” a song that predicted the strong emotionalism and commitment to country that would characterize her career.

She became an accomplished equestrian and often incorporated cowgirl imagery into her songs. Martin moved to Nashville in 1998. She was signed to Sony and recorded with producers Paul Worley and Billy Crain. But this record was never released.

She married established Nashville songwriter Rory Lee Feek in 2002. Her solo CD debut appeared in 2005 on Feek’s Giantslayer label. It was titled Strong Enough to Cry.

The couple settled in an 1870s farmhouse in Pottsville, TN, near Columbia. On days off, Joey Martin Feek worked with her sister-in-law at their rural café, Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse.

Joey + Rory became a duo in 2008 when they competed on the CMT program Can You Duet and finished third. Joey sang lead in the duo.

Signed by Vanguard/Sugar Hill, Joey + Rory released their debut duo CD, The Life of a Song, in 2008. Album Number Two appeared in 2010. A Farmhouse Christmas was issued in 2011.  His and Hers became their fourth Sugar Hill collection in 2012.

Joey + Rory charted with the singles “Cheater, Cheater” (2008) and “That’s Important to Me” (2011). They have 10 music videos.

In 2009 and 2010, the team was nominated as Duo of the Year by both the ACM and the CMA. They won the award at the ACMs in 2010. At the 2011 Inspirational Country Music Awards, Joey + Rory also won Duo of the Year.

In addition to making records, they made their mark as broadcasters. The Joey + Rory Show aired on Friday evenings on RFD-TV in 2012-2014. They also co-hosted “The Joey + Rory Radio Show” on WSM 650 AM.

Inspired: Songs of Faith and Family was issued by the Gaither Music imprint in 2013. Made to Last, released the same year, was on their independent Farmhouse label.

Cracker Barrel distributed Joey + Rory’s 2014 CD Country Classics. The team’s current CD, also a Cracker Barrel outing, is Hymns That Are Important to Us.

Joey Martin Feek had daughter Indiana in February 2014. The baby has Down Syndrome. Rory Feek also has two daughters from an earlier relationship.

In June 2014, Joey revealed that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy treatments, but the cancer returned vigorously in June 2015. In October, she elected to cease treatments and spend time with her family in Indiana. She was under the care of her sister, a nurse.

Joey + Rory were nominated for a 2015 Grammy Award, and she vowed to live until the Feb. 15, 2016 ceremony.

Joey Martin Feek is survived by husband Rory Feek, daughter Indiana Boon Feek, stepdaughters Hiedi Caroline and Sarah Hope Feek, parents Jack and June Martin and sisters Julie Snyder and Jessie May.

 

 

LifeNotes: City National Bank’s Bram Goldsmith

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Pictured (L-R): Diane Pearson, Bram Goldsmith, Lori Badgett

Bram Goldsmith, who led City National Bank for 20 years, died Sunday, Feb. 28. He was 93.

As chairman and CEO from 1975 to 1995, he grew the company’s assets more than five-fold, to $3.2 billion. Bram was a director of the company for 50 years, chairman of City National Corporation for over 40 years, and an active member of the company’s Strategy and Planning Committee up to and through its most recent meeting.

Bram was born in Chicago in 1923.  His parents were Bertha and Max Goldsmith. Bram attended the University of Illinois, where he studied finance and business administration, and in 1942, he joined the U.S. Army, and married his wife of more than 70 years, Elaine. He served in Burma during the war. Following World War II, Bram returned to Chicago, but moved to Los Angeles in 1952. In 1953, a small group of local businessmen, including his father-in-law Ben Maltz, decided to open a bank that would cater to entrepreneurs, real estate professionals and the city’s growing entertainment industry. A year later, City National Bank opened its doors. In 1964, he replaced his father-in-law on the board.

Bram developed a close relationship with the bank and in 1975, he bought a 19 percent stake in the company from its retiring CEO Al Hart, and for the next 20 years he served as its chairman and chief executive officer. Before joining City National full-time in 1975, Bram served for 20 years as president and chief executive officer of Buckeye Realty and Management Corporation, the company he co-owned with his partner George Konheim.

A public memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Friday (March 4) in the Bram Goldsmith Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. The service will be followed by a reception in the same location.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bram’s name to The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center or the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Today, City National has more than $36 billion in assets, and its 3,700 colleagues deliver banking and investment services through 75 offices in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada, New York City, Nashville and Atlanta.

LifeNotes: “The Southern Gentleman” Sonny James Passes

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Sonny-James-Portrait.jpg

Country Music Hall of Fame member Sonny James, one of the genre’s most prolific hit makers, has passed away at age 86.

Known as “The Southern Gentleman,” James died on Feb. 22, according to his website. In 1967, James became the first host of the CMA Awards. He was the first Nashville country star to get a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

During his long career, he placed more than 70 titles on the country hit parade and scored 43 Top 10 hits. Between 1967 and 1972, he had 16 consecutive No. 1 singles on the Billboard country chart.

In 1956-57, his singles “Young Love” and “First Date, First Kiss, First Love” became pop-crossover, teen-music successes. More than a dozen of his other country singles also placed on the pop charts.

He was born James Hugh Loden on May 1, 1929. The family’s hometown was Hackelburg, Alabama, which is where he began his career. He began playing guitar, mandolin and fiddle before he reached his teens and was soon touring with his parents and sister as The Loden Family. By the 1940s, the Lodens were regulars on WNOX in Knoxville.

Sonny James served in the National Guard during the Korean War. While overseas, he began writing songs for the first time. Following his discharge, he travelled to Nashville. Chet Atkins, who’d known him in Knoxville, admired his flat-top guitar skills and became his mentor. Atkins introduced him to Capitol Records executive Ken Nelson, who offered Sonny James a recording contract.

James first hit the Top 10 with 1953’s “That’s Me Without You.” Four more singles hit the charts in 1954-56. Then came “Young Love.” In 1956, it became a No. 1 smash on both the country and pop charts and sold a million. For the next few years, James toured as a teen idol.

During the 1950s, he was also a regular on TV’s The Ozark Jubilee. He got his star in Hollywood in 1961. The following year, he was invited to join the cast of the Grand Ole Opry.

His permanent return to the country hit parade began with 1963’s “The Minute You’re Gone.” An even bigger country hit came the following year, “You’re the Only World I Know.”

He was featured in a number of pioneering country feature films of the 1960s. These included Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar (1965), Nashville Rebel (1966), Las Vegas Hillbillys (1966) and Hillbillys in a Haunted House (1967).

In 1967, he and Bobbie Gentry were chosen to co-host the first CMA Awards show. The show began its long run as a network television staple the following year.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sonny James specialized in country versions of such pop hits as “Take Good Care of Her,” “I’ll Never Find Another You,” “A World of Our Own,” “Born to Be With You,” “Only the Lonely,” “Running Bear,” “Since I Met You Baby,” “It’s Just a Matter of TIme,” “My Love,” “Endlessly” and “Only Love Can Break a Heart.”

Sonny James played guitar on all of his recording sessions and his live shows always showcased his acoustic-guitar prowess. His soft-spoken humility and courtly manners brought him the nickname “The Southern Gentleman.”

In 1971, a cassette of his music accompanied the Apollo 14 space mission. He was rewarded with an American flag that had been taken to the moon.

In the 1970s, James branched out into song publishing and record production. He produced the first three albums by Marie Osmond. The first one included her breakthrough country hit, 1973’s “Paper Roses.”

In his own recording career, he signed with Columbia Records and immediately scored a No. 1 hit with 1972’s “When the Snow Is on the Roses.” Another notable big song for James during this era was 1974’s “Is It Wrong (For Loving You).”

In 1977, he traveled to the Tennessee State Penitentiary to record In Prison, In Person. A country band of inmates accompanied him on this landmark album.

Sonny James retired from live performing in 1983. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

He is survived by his wife Doris. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

LifeNotes: Gospel Music Legend Buck Rambo Passes

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Buck Rambo

Buck Rambo

Richard Fay “Buck” Rambo, patriarch of the gospel music family, The Rambos, died Sunday (Feb. 21) in Palmetto, Florida, at the age of 84. He was surrounded by his wife Mae and family members.

He was born in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, son of Noah Burton Rambo and Mary Irisilda Rambo. Buck was married to Mae Kutz Rambo on April 1, 1995.

Buck Rambo’s career spanned 60 years and includes many accolades including numerous Grammy and Dove Award nominations. He became a Christian in 1949, went into full-time ministry in 1954, and in 1960, he started a Gospel singing group, The Gospel Echoes, which later became The Singing Rambos with daughter Reba and her mother Dottie.

He was one of the first Board members for the Gospel Music Association and a founding father of the Gospel Music Hall Of Fame. In the early ‘60s, Buck was a member of the Board of Directors for the National Quartet Convention. In 1964, Buck sang for over a million people at the first Washington For Jesus Rally. He is author of the book, The Legacy of the Rambos, and was on the first Gaither Homecoming video.

The Rambos were asked to go to the Strategic Air Command Bases in 1966 and went on a six-week tour of our northern outposts in Greenland, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Iceland entertaining the United States’ troops. In February of 1967, because of the tremendous response to the Arctic Tour, they embarked on a six-week tour to Vietnam to sing for the U.S. military forces there. This was a life-changing experience for The Singing Rambos. They also participated in concert tours for the military several times in Europe and ministered in over 16 different countries doing live concerts and television, including a concert with the Holland Symphony where they sang for 350,000 people.

In 1968, The Singing Rambos began working in television. They were a huge part of the early beginnings of the 700 Club, PTL Network, TBN Network, and The Gospel Singing Jubilee–a weekly television show featuring popular gospel singing groups of that era.

After The Rambos disbanded in about 1994, Buck continued to travel and minister with his wife, Mae, for the next several years doing concerts in churches and as a missionary in many countries, with his latest trip being to Costa Rica in 1999. In retirement, Buck spent his time visiting hospitals, nursing homes and praying for the sick as well as painting beautiful stills. He toured occasionally with Rambo McGuire and was a featured soloist on their projects, Rambo Classics and Dove-Award winning Grassroots Rambos.

His wife Mae Rambo stated, “Today the greatest man on earth passed from this life to his Heavenly home to touch the face of God. Buck had the most amazing time walking through this life on earth, but he is now celebrating in the light and presence of our Lord. While he was preparing to leave this world he could indeed say, ‘It is well with my soul.’ Buck had a huge heart and when it stopped beating it broke ours. I know with time that my memories will bring a smile more quickly than tears, and I was honored and blessed to be his wife for almost 21 years.”

Survivors include his wife Mae, daughter Reba Rambo (Dony) McGuire, grandchildren Israel Anthem McGuire, Destiny Rambo McGuire, Dionne (Scott) Dismuke, Dyson Dismuke, sister Hilda Bullock, brothers Donald (Betty) Rambo, Jackie (Shirley) Rambo of Dawson Springs, KY, sister-in-law Anna Jo Rambo of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and brother-in-law James Ausenbaugh.

Arrangements are forthcoming and being handled by Williamson Memorial Home in Franklin, Tennessee.

LifeNotes: 1960s Country Singer Joyce Paul Passes

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joycepaul432058 Former country recording artist Joyce Paul passed away this week at age 78.

She died on Monday, Feb. 15, at the Sunrise Senior Living Center in Roseville, Minnesota. Her funeral and burial will take place in Nashville next week.

Joyce Paul is notable for her LP Heartaches, Laughter & Tears and her country hit, “Phone Call to Mama.” Both were issued by United Artists Records in 1969.

She was born in Shelbyville, Tennessee, in 1937 and raised in Music City. As a teenager, she became a popular vocalist at the summer Centennial Park concert series. Joyce Paul was the “Discovery” singer there at a 1953 show headlined by Pat Boone.

Also in 1953, she recorded for Republic, her first label. YouTube has a video of her singing “Your Cheating Heart” on a 1953 episode of the Country Style USA TV show.

Paul was voted “Miss Cohn High” in 1955. After graduation, she attended Peabody College.

She continued to sing in the Centennial Park summer concert series in 1956. She became the regular vocalist with the pop/swing ensemble the Red McEwen Band, opening for Brenda Lee in the park in 1958. Paul and the band also performed Centennial Park shows in 1959, 1960, 1962 and 1963.

Joyce Paul was produced by Bob Montgomery and Kelso Herston on United Artists. She was showcased by the label at the 1967 country disc jockey convention.

During her career with UA, she recorded the works of such Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members as Norro Wilson, Ben Peters, Eddie Miller, Larry Henley, Dallas Frazier, Don Gibson and Leon Payne. Her 15 singles for the label included “I’ve Loved Him Much Longer Than You” and “Do Right Woman – Do Right Man.”

Joyce Paul was predeceased by husband Billy Potter. She is survived by son Lincoln Potter, daughter-in-law Cecelia Green and grandchildren Georgia Potter and Jackson Potter.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 26 from 5-7 p.m. at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 600 Thompson Lane. The funeral will be held there on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m., followed by burial service and lunch reception.

LifeNotes: Musician Paul Gordon Dies

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Paul Gordon Jennifer Nettles

Musician Paul Gordon, a band member for Jennifer Nettles, died Thursday (Feb. 18) in Nashville. He was 52.

Nettles shared the news with fans via Instagram, writing, “Today we lost one of our precious own, Paul Gordon. Prayers for your beautiful family. May your Journey be sweet. You will forever play on in our hearts.”

Gordon, a Newport, Rhode Island native, also played with artists such as Natasha Bedingfield, Anna Wilson, Mandy Moore, Brenda K. Starr, and others throughout his career. Gordon was also a member of the B-52s’ touring band from 2007 until his passing.

On the B-52s’ Facebook page, the band wrote, “Our friend, keyboard player and guitarist, bandmate and brother, Paul Gordon passed away peacefully today and our hearts are broken. Words can’t express all the feelings we share as we remember his generous spirit, kindness and talent. He was and always will be a part of our B-52s family and we will miss him so much. We send our love to his family.”

Gordon composed music for film and television, including music for Digimon and Wild Force Power Rangers, and an array of soundtracks.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Jennifer Lysak Gordon, and two sons.

LifeNotes: Songwriter Kim Williams Passes

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Kim Williams

Kim Williams

Kim Williams, a 2012 inductee into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, died Thursday (Feb. 11). He was 68.

His most notable writing credits include Garth Brooks’ “Ain’t Goin’ Down ‘Til the Sun Comes Up,” Kenny Chesney’s “Fall in Love,” and Randy Travis’ “Three Wooden Crosses.”

Williams was born in Kingsport, Tennessee on June 28, 1947.

A near-fatal accident in 1974 proved to be Williams’ gateway to songwriting. An electrical fire at a glass plant left Williams severely burned. Williams also overcame alcoholism, pain-pill addiction, and narcolepsy. After the accident, Williams underwent several reconstructive treatments, including many at Vanderbilt hospital in Nashville. Being in Music City revived Williams’ interest in songwriting.

Williams began improving as a songwriter, and by 1989, he had signed a staff writer deal with Tree International. In 1991, his first No. 1 hit came with “If The Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” recorded by Joe Diffie. By this time, Williams had also solidified a working relationship with a newcomer on the country music scene by the name of Garth Brooks.

Several of Williams’ songs became some of Brooks’ signature hits, including “Ain’t Goin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up,” “Papa Loved Mama,” “It’s Midnight Cinderella,” and “She’s Gonna Make It.” Williams wrote “Fall in Love” with Chesney and Buddy Brock. The single became Chesney’s first Top 10 hit at country radio in 1995.

Other artists to record Williams’s songs include Keith Anderson (“Pickin’ Wildflowers”), Brooks & Dunn (“Honky Tonk Truth”), George Jones (“Beer Run,” with Brooks), David Kersh (“Goodnight Sweetheart”), Reba McEntire (“The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter”), Rascal Flatts (“While You Loved Me”), George Strait (“Overnight Male” from Pure Country), Doug Supernaw (“Not Enough Hours in the Night”), Aaron Tippin (“My Blue Angel”) and Clay Walker (“Who Needs You Baby”).

In 1994, he was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year.

In 2003, Williams earned another smash hit with Travis’ “Three Wooden Crosses,” which earned accolades from the CMA, ACM, NSAI, and Gospel Music Association (GMA), and served as a comeback for the singer.

Funeral details have not been announced.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman Pat Alger released this statement regarding Williams’ passing: “Yesterday the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame lost one of its finest members. Kim Williams overcame more adversity than anyone I know to become one of the best and most colorful songwriters to ever come out of this town. Horribly burned in a work related fire (before his songwriting career) he endured hundreds of operations and complications to emerge as a man of boundless humor and dignity with a tremendous capacity for love. Kim loved his family, his profession and his friends and was always there to remind us that we can rise above it all to make sweet music. He was my hero and I will miss him so much. I had the pleasure of telling him that he had been inducted into the Hall of Fame and his joy and genuine humility was something I will never forget. Our hearts go out to Phyllis and Amanda Williams – he loved you most of all.”

LifeNotes: Singer, Label Founder Curtis Potter Dies

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Curtis Potter. Photo: curtispottercountry.com

Curtis Potter. Photo: curtispottercountry.com

Curtis Potter, noted in Texas country music circles as a “singer’s singer,” has died at age 75.

Best known as the longtime frontman of Hank Thompson’s acclaimed Brazos Valley Boys, Potter passed away in Abilene, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 23. He had congestive heart failure, complicated by pneumonia.

The Brazos Valley Boys won Billboard’s Touring Band of the Year award 14 times. Potter, a bass player and vocalist, joined the group in 1959 and remained with it for the next 13 years.

He also had an extensive résumé as a solo artist and record maker.

Born in 1940, Potter was given his own radio and TV show in Abilene on KRBC at age 16. As a youngster, he also performed in the road shows of Slim Willet and Bill Fox.

He began his recording career on Dot Records with 1969’s “You Comb Her Hair.” In 1973, Capitol Records issued Potter’s “Walkin’ Talkin’ Breathin’ Case of Sorrow.” This was followed by his Texas Dance Hall LP recorded with fellow Lone Star State singers Darrell McCall and Ray Sanders.

Potter was signed to Hillside Records in 1978. This resulted in his only two charted singles, 1979’s “Fraulein” and 1980’s duet with McCall, “San Antonio Medley.” He also recorded two albums for Hillside.

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In 1984, Potter helped to form Step One Records in Nashville. This became country music’s largest independent label, releasing discs by Gene Watson, Ray Price, Kitty Wells, Hank Thompson and Clinton Gregory, as well as Potter.

He and Willie Nelson recorded the Six Hours at the Pedernales album for Step One in 1995. It yielded the video favorite “Turn Me Loose and Let Me Swing.”

In 2005, Potter signed with Heart of Texas Records. He recorded five solo albums for the company, including his tribute to Ray Price, Songs of the Cherokee Cowboy. Its title tune was another duet with Nelson. He also has two trio albums on Heart of Texas, recorded with Tony Booth and Darrell McCall. He is a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and the Western Swing Hall of Fame.

Potter had heart surgery in 2006, but resumed performing in dance halls, honky-tonks and concert halls. He last performed in Brady, Texas, on New Year’s Eve.

His funeral service and burial took place on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Curtis Potter is survived by his wife Pat, sons James and Shane, daughters Sharlotte and Rozlyn, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

The family requests memorial contributions to the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum, 1701 South Bridge St., Brady, Texas 76825.