Dates of Note in Country Music, February 16-28

Category: News

(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)

February 16:

Jo-Walker Meador born in Orlinda, Tennessee, 1924 (now 87)

Ronnie Milsap born in Robbinsville, North Carolina, 1944 (now 67)

Jimmy Wakely born in Mineola, Arkansas, 1914 (died 1982)

Smiley Burnette died in Encino, California (leukemia), 1967 (was 55)

February 17:

Johnny Bush born in Houston, Texas, 1935 (now 76)

Buck Trent born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 1938 (now 73)

Jon Randall born in Dallas, Texas, 1969 (now 42)

Bryan White born in Shellman, Georgia, 1974 (now 37)

Billy Byrd born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1920 (died 2001)

Gene Pitney born in Hartford, Connecticut, 1940 (died 2006). The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer recorded two albums of duets with George Jones.

Uncle Jimmy Thompson died in Laguardo, Tennessee (natural causes), 1931 (was 82)

Eck Robertson died in Borger, Texas (natural causes), 1975 (was 87)

Gus Hardin died near Claremore, Oklahoma (car wreck), 1996 (was 50)

February 18:

Juice Newton born in Lakehurst Naval Station, New Jersey, 1952 (now 59)

Dudley Connell of the Johnson Mountain Boys born in Scheer, West Virginia, 1956 (now 55)

Julius Frank "Pee Wee" King (ne Kuczynski) born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1914 (died 2000)

Tootsie Bess, owner of Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 1978 (was 61)

Johnny Paycheck died in Nashville, Tennessee (emphysema), 2003 (was 64)

February 19:

Lorianne Crook born in Wichita, Kansas, 1957 (now 54)

Cedric Rainwater (real name: Howard Watts) born in Monticello, Florida, 1913 (died 1970)
Lowell Blanchard died in Knoxville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1968 (was 57)

Grandpa Jones died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 1998 (was 84)

Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton officially break up their act, 1974

February 20:

Kathie Baillie of Baillie & the Boys born in Morristown, New Jersey, 1951 (now 60)

Claire Lynch born in Albany, New York, 1954 (now 57)

February 21:

Mary-Chapin Carpenter born in Princeton, New Jersey, 1958 (now 53)

Don Reno born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 1926 (died 1984)
Carl T. Sprague died in Bryan, Texas (unknown cause), 1979 (was 83)

February 22:

Del Wood born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1920 (died 1989)

During a concert in London, Ontario, Johnny Cash asked June Carter to marry him, 1968

February 23:

Rusty Young of Poco born in Long Beach, California, 1946 (now 65)Buck Griffin born in Corsicana, Texas, 1923 (died 2009)

Minnie Pearl married Henry Cannon, 1947

February 24:

Little Roy Lewis of the Lewis Family born in Lincoln County, Georgia, 1942 (now 69)

Don Law born in London, England, 1902 (died 1982)

Webb Pierce died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 1991 (was 69)

Goldie Hill Smith died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 2005 (was 72)

Dinah Shore died in Beverly Hills, California (ovarian cancer), 1994 (was 77). The legendary pop singer and TV hostess was part of the family of live performers on WSM radio.

February 25:

Dr. Ralph Stanley born in Stratton, Virginia, 1927 (now 84)

Faron Young born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1932 (died 1996)

February 26:

Jan Crutchfield born in Paducah, Kentucky, 1936 (now 75)

Billy Jack Wills born in Hall County, Texas, 1926 (died 1991)

Johnny Cash born in Kingsland, Arkansas, 1932 (died 2003)

February 27:

Chuck Glaser of the Glaser Brothers born in Spalding, Nebraska, 1936 (now 75)
Joe Carson died in Wichita Falls, Texas (car wreck), 1964 (was 27)

Walter Bailes died in Sevierville, Tennessee (various health problems), 2000 (was 80)

February 28:

Joe South born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1940 (now 71)

Don Helms born in New Brockton, Alabama, 1927 (died 2008)

Jim Denny born in Silver Point, Tennessee, 1911 (died 1963)

Audrey Williams born in Banks, Alabama, 1923 (died 1975)

Fiddlin' Arthur Smith died (unknown causes), 1971 (was 72)

And a leap baby:

February 29:

Dinah Shore born in Winchester, Tennessee, 1916 (died 1994)

The End of a Bluegrass Era

Category:  News


Cherryholmes is no more.


Jere Cherryholmes announced on the band's web site that the family act -- dad, mom and four kids -- are disbanding after their May 7th appearance at a bluegrass festival in Virginia.


According to the band's site, the combination of the children growing up and wanting to pursue their own musical interests and the marriage of others (notably, Cia) make it impossible for the band to remain together.


Cherryholmes rose to superstardom after their first two self-released albums earned them a record deal with Skaggs Family Records.  They quickly became a concert favorite, and in 2005 they were named the International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainer of the Year.  They have been nominated for six Grammy awards throughout their career, including one for "Best Country Instrumental" recording for this year's awards.


Anyone who ever saw them live know how much they will be missed.  Best of luck to Cherryholmes in everything they do.


Cherryholmes Announces They are Disbanding

Dates of Note in Country Music, February 1-15

Category: News

(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)

February 1:

Don Everly born in Brownie, Kentucky, 1937 (now 74)
Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook born in Chicksaw, Alabama, 1937 (now 73)
Del McCoury born in Bakersville, North Carolina, 1939 (now 72)
Lisa Marie Presley born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1968 (now 43)
Scotty Wiseman died in Gainesville, Florida (heart attack), 1981 (was 71)

February 2:

Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers born in Darby, Florida, 1946 (now 65)
Emmett Miller born in Macon, Georgia, 1900 (died 1962)
Lester McFarland of Mac & Bob born in Gray, Kentucky, 1902 (died 1984)Glenn Barber born in Hollis, Oklahoma, 1935 (died 2008)

Rusty Kershaw born in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana, 1938 (died 2001)
Louise Scruggs, wife and manager of Earl Scruggs, died in Nashville Tennessee, 2006 (was 78)

February 3:

Dave Rich born in Briar Creek, Kentucky, 1936 (now 75). Ernest Tubb heard a recording of Rich's and hounded friend Ray Price throughout a game of golf to record the song. The song? "City Lights."
Matraca Berg born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1964 (now 47)
Betty Foley, daughter and one-time duet partner of Red Foley, born in Chicago, Illinois, 1933 (died 1990)
Jiles Perry "J.P." Richardson died near Clear Lake, Iowa (plane crash), 1959 (was 28)
Buddy Holly died near Clear Lake, Iowa (plane crash), 1959 (was 22)
James Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet died in Memphis, Tennessee (stroke), 2002 (was 83). He was the last member of the original legendary Southern Gospel quartet.

February 4:

Clint Black born in Long Branch, New Jersey, 1962 (now 49)
Chris McDaniel of Confederate Railroad born in Rock Springs, Georgia, 1965 (now 46)
Vic McAlpin born in Defeated Creek, Tennessee, 1918 (died 1980)
Kenneth "Jethro" Burns died in Evanston, Illinois (prostate cancer), 1989 (was 68)
Tom Brumley of Buck Owens' Buckaroos died in San Antonio, Texas (heart ailment), 2009 (was 62)

February 5:

Claude King born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1933 (now 78).
Sara Evans born in Boonville, Missouri, 1971 (now 40)
Shelby David "Tex" Atchison born in Rosine, Kentucky, 1912 (died 1982)
Henson Cargill born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1941 (died 2007)
Eddy Noack died (cerebral hemorrhage), 1978 (was 47)

February 6:

Dale Reno of the Reno Brothers born in Roanoke, Virginia, 1961 (now 50)
Richie McDonald of Lonestar born in Lubbock, Texas, 1962 (now 49)
Anita Cochran born in Pontiac, Michigan, 1967 (now 44)
Violet Koehler of the original Coon Creek Girls born in Wilton, Wisconsin, 1916 (died 1973)Merle Kilgore died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 2005 (was 70)
Frankie Laine died in San Diego, California (complications from hip replacement surgery), 2007 (was 93)

February 7:

Wilma Lee Cooper born in Valley Head, West Virginia, 1921 (now 90)
Tony Booth born in Tampa, Florida, 1943 (now 68)

Garth Brooks born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1962 (now 49)
Warren Smith born in Humphreys County, Mississippi, 1933 (died 1980)
Ambrose Allen of the Allen Brothers born in Sewanee, Tennessee, 1901 (died 1959)
Dale Evans died in Happy Valley, California (congestive heart failure), 2001 (was 88)
Molly Bee died in Oceanside, California (complications of a stroke), 2009 (was 68)
Patsy Cline's last recording session, Nashville, 1963. The last song she recorded was a cover of Moon Mullican's "I'll Sail My Ship Alone."
Jim Reeves recorded "Four Walls" in Nashville, 1957. This song is said by many to be the beginning of the "Nashville Sound."

February 8:

Joe South born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1942 (now 69)
Dan Seals born in McCamey, Texas, 1948 (now 63)
Don Wayne Reno of the Reno Brothers born in Roanoke, Virginia, 1963 (now 48)
Pappy Daily born in Yoakum, Texas, 1902 (died 1987)
Bob Dunn born in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, 1908 (died 1971). Dunn is credited as being the first country musician to use amplification for his instrument.
Merle Watson born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, 1949 (died 1985)
Lulu Belle Wiseman died (Alzheimer's disease), 1999 (was 84)
Keith Knudsen of Southern Pacific died in California (chronic pneumonia), 2005 (was 56)

February 9:
Red Lane born in Zona, Louisiana, 1939 (now 72)
Joe Ely born in Amarillo, Texas, 1947 (now 64)
Travis Tritt born in Marietta, Georgia, 1963 (now 48)
Ernest Tubb born in Crisp, Texas, 1914 (died 1984)

February 10:

George York of the York Brothers born in Louisa, Kentucky, 1910 (died 1974)Arthur Satherley died in Fountain Valley, California (natural causes), 1986 (was 96)
Kendall Hayes died in Louisville, Kentucky (cancer), 1995 (was 59)
Jim Varney died in White House, Tennessee (lung cancer), 2000 (was 50)
February 11:

Wesley Rose born in Chicago, Illinois, 1918 (died 1980)

February 12:

Moe Bandy born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1944 (now 67)
Stephen Sholes born in Washington, DC, 1911 (died 1968)
Harley "Red" Allen born in Pigeon Roost, Kentucky, 1930 (died 1993)
Lorne Greene born in Ottawa, Ontario, 1915 (died 1987). The legendary actor hit the Billboard top 40 country charts in 1964 with "Ringo."
Sammi Smith died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (emphysema), 2005 (was 61)

February 13:

David McLaughlin of the Johnson Mountain Boys born in Washington, DC, 1958 (now 53)
Tennessee Ernie Ford born in Bristol, Tennessee, 1919 (died 1991)
Boudleaux Bryant born in Shellman, Georgia, 1920 (died 1987)
Jim McReynolds of Jim & Jessee born in Coeburn, Virginia, 1927 (died 2003)
Charlie Moore born in Piedmont, South Carolina, 1935 (died 1979)
Buddy Lee died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 1998 (was 65)
Waylon Jennings died in Chandler, Arizona (complications of diabetes), 2002 (was 64)

February 14:

Razzy Bailey born in Five Points, Alabama, 1939 (now 72)
Bill Nowlin, co-founder of Rounder Records, born in Boston, Massachusetts, 1945 (now 66)
Harry Stone born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1898 (died 1968)
Lonnie Glosson born in Judsonia, Arkansas, 1908 (died 2001)
Buck Griffin died in Oklahoma (heart failure), 2009 (was 85)

February 15:

Hank Locklin born in McLellan, Florida, 1918 (died 2009)
Wally Fowler born in Adairsville, Georgia, 1917 (died 1994)
Louise Scruggs born in Lebanon, Tennessee, 1927 (died 2006)
Dorris Macon died (suicide), 1981 (was 71)
Nat "King" Cole died in Santa Montica, California (lung cancer), 1965 (was 45). The legendary pop crooner hit #1 on the Billboard country charts in 1944 (with the King Cole Trio) with the song "Straighten Up and Fly Right."

For Charlie

Category:  Tribute

In memory of Charlie Elzer Loudermilk Louvin

Born July 7, 1927, Section, Alabama

Died January 26, 2011, Wartrace, Tennessee

So if they ask you when I’m gone
Was it everything he wanted?

When he had to travel on

Did he know he’d be missed?

You can tell them this –

Hell yeah he did

He saw it all

He walked the line

Never had to crawl

He cried a bit

But not for long

Hell yeah, he found the life that he was after

Filled it up with love and laughter

Finally got it right and made it fit

Hell yeah he did

(Neil Diamond, "Hell Yeah," from the album 12 Songs, 2005)

Charlie and your blogger, 1995

Charlie's funeral is Sunday afternoon in Nashville.  He will be buried next to Ira.

You Can't Teach My Heart to Forget

Category:  News/Obituary

Harmony singing was nothing new in country music, nor was the brother duet.  The Blue Sky Boys and the Delmore Brothers were two of the biggest acts of the 1930s.  There was something unique, however, about the Louvin Brothers; namely, the tenor voice of elder brother Ira.  It is no exaggeration to say the Louvin Brothers perfected close harmony.  It is also no lie to say they were often imitated but never duplicated.

Charlie Louvin died today (1/26) of complications due to pancreatic cancer.

Charlie at the Midnite Jamboree in Nashville,

November 2010, one of his final appearances

There have been ebbs and flows in the career of Charlie Louvin, from the "wrong place at the wrong time" that seemed to plague the Louvin Brothers' career throughout the 1940s and early 50s to the #1 hit "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby" and the reign as America's favorite country music duo; from the early 70s when the "Contrypolitan" sound left Louvin and scores of other traditional country singers behind to the Grammy award for the Louvin Brothers tribute album, Livin', Lovin', Losin':  Songs of the Louvin Brothers in 2004.  Although, as Charlie once said, his solo career actually had better sales than the Louvin Brothers' records, it is the Louvin Brothers' material that is fondly remembered and covered by everyone from bluegrass ("I Have Found a Way" on Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver's Kept & Protected) to country (Emmylou Harris' first top ten hit, "If I Could Only Win Your Love") to rock (Elvis Costello's rendition of "Must You Throw Dirt in My Face" on Kojak Variety).  The 2005 book 1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die includes the landmark 1956 Louvin Brothers album Tragic Songs of Life among the list of mostly rock recordings.

Last June, shortly before his birthday, Louvin was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  He was given a dim prognosis ("six weeks to live," Louvin remarked later); further, a Whipple procedure performed in August was unsuccessful.  Louvin commented, "I don't know what else they'll try, but whatever it is I'm sure it'll be painful."  

In September Louvin hosted the Midnite Jamboree.  The show was a 61st wedding anniversary celebration for Louvin and his wife, Betty.  At that show, Louvin was so exhausted he could not stand up or sing.  Just two months later, however, when Louvin again hosted the Midnite Jamboree, he sang and stood throughout the 90-minute show.  At the show he said the doctors had pronounced him "clean as a whistle" from his cancer and commented he had started to regain his appetite and some of the 40 pounds he had lost during the battle.

However, after the first of the year Louvin's condition took a sudden, dramatic turn for the worse. He was briefly hospitalized where he discovered the cancer had returned in all its fury.  According to son Sonny (Charlie Jr.), Louvin gave up interest in singing, telling his son, "I'm tired.  I just want to go home."  Wednesday morning at approximately 1:00 a.m. central time, he got his wish.

You may teach all the raindrops to return to the clouds

But you can't teach my heart to forget.

(Louvin Brothers, "When I Stop Dreaming")

Charlie Louvin was 83.

Dates of Note in Country Music, January 16-31

Category: News

(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)

January 16:

Ronnie Milsap born in Robbinsville, North Carolina, 1943 (now 68)
Jim Stafford born in Eloise, Florida, 1944 (now 67)
Sandy Pinkard of Pinkard & Bowden born in Abbeville, Louisiana, 1947 (now 64)
Roy Lanham of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Corbin, Kentucky, 1923 (died 1991)
Ruby Falls born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1946 (died 1986)
Dizzy Dean born in Lucas, Arkansas, 1910 (died 1974). The legendary baseball player is credited with dubbing Roy Acuff "King of Country Music."
Carl Smith died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 2010 (was 82)
Bill Monroe seriously injured in a car wreck, 1953. Monroe was away from performing for six months while recovering.
Jamaican authorities shot at the private plane of Jimmy Buffett, mistaking it for a drug kingpin's plane, 1996.  No one on board Buffett's plane was injured.

January 17:

Amanda Wilkinson of the Wilkinsons born in Belleville, Ontario, 1982 (now 29)
Steve Earle born in Fort Monroe, Virginia, 1955 (now 56)
Walter Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1920 (died 2000)
Grady Martin born in Marshall County, Tennessee, 1929 (died 2001)
Cliffie Stone died in his home in Saugus, California (heart attack), 1998 (was 80)
Frank "Hylo" Brown died in Mechanicsburg, Ohio (natural causes), 2003 (was 81)
The street in front of Graceland renamed "Elvis Presley Boulevard," 1972

January 18:

Bobby Edwards born in Aniston, Alabama, 1926 (now 85)
Hargus "Pig" Robbins born in Spring City, Tennessee, 1938 (now 73)
Mark Collie born in Waynesboro, Tennessee, 1956 (now 55)
Linda Parker of the Cumberland Ridge Runners born in Covington, Kentucky, 1912 (died 1935)
Eddie Hill died (long-term illness), 1994 (was 74)

January 19:

Oscar Sullivan born in Edmonton, Kentucky, 1919 (now 92)
Stu Phillips born in Montreal, Quebec, 1933 (now 78)
Phil Everly born in Chicago, Illinois, 1939 (now 72)
Dolly Parton born in Locast Ridge, Tennessee, 1946 (now 65)
Stephanie Davis born in Bridger, Montana, 1958 (now 53)
Dennie Crouch of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Strawberry, Arkansas, 1967 (now 44)
Leo Soileau born in Ville Platte, Louisiana, 1904 (died 1980)
Ken Nelson born in Caledonia, Minnesota, 1911 (died 2008)
Ralph Peer died in Los Angeles, California (unknown cause), 1960 (was 67)
Vic McAlpin died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1980 (was 61)
Carl Perkins died in Jackson, Tennessee (complications of stroke/throat cancer), 1998 (was 65)
James O'Gwynn died in Hattiesburg, Mississippi (long-term illness), 2011 (was 82)


January 20:

Slim Whitman born in Tampa, Florida, 1924 (now 87). In 2008, Whitman was incorrectly listed as deceased the day after his birthday.
John Michael Montgomery born in Danville, Kentucky, 1965 (now 46)
George Burns born in New York, New York, 1896 (died 1996). The legendary comedian and actor had a top 20 country song in 1980 with "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again."

January 21:

Mac Davis born in Lubbock, Texas, 1942 (now 69)
Jim Ibbottson of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1947 (now 64)
Huddie "Leadbelly" Leadbetter born in Mooringsport, Louisiana, 1889 (died 1949). The year of Leadbelly's birth is open for debate, as is the actual day, with numerous sources citing January 20, January 21, or January 23, and years of 1888 or 1889.
Cedric Rainwater died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1970 (was 56)
Jim Anglin died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 1987 (was 73)
Colonel Tom Parker died in Las Vegas, Nevada (stroke), 1997 (was 87). In addition to Elvis, Parker managed Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow, and Minnie Pearl early in their careers.
Patsy Cline appeared on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts and won the talent show,1957

January 22:

Teddy Gentry of Alabama born in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1952 (now 59)
J.P. Pennington of Exile born in Berea, Kentucky, 1949 (now 62)
Dickie McBride of Cliff Bruner's Texas Wanderers born in New Baden, Texas, 1914 (died 1971)
Jimmy Day died in Buda, Texas (cancer), 1999 (was 65)
Janette Carter, the last surviving member of the Carter Family, died in Kingsport, Tennessee (Parkinson's disease/illness), 2006 (was 82)

January 23:

Etta May born in Bald Knob, Arkansas, 1962 (now 49)
Johnny Russell born in Sunflower County, Mississippi, 1940 (died 2001)
T. Texas Tyler died in Springfield, Missouri (stomach cancer), 1972 (was 55)
Art Stamper (fiddler in the Clinch Mountain Boys) died in Louisville, Kentucky (throat cancer), 2005 (was 71)
Johnny Carson died in Hollywood, California (emphysema), 2005 (was 79). Carson had a number of country artists on The Tonight Show, including over two dozen appearances by Homer and Jethro, who Carson considered his favorites.
The Winter Dance Party begins in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1959. Three of the headliners, Buddy Holly, J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson, and Richie Valens, would die 11 days later.

January 24:

Doug Kershaw born in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana, 1936 (now 75)
Jack Scott born in Windsor, Ontario, 1936 (now 75)
Ray Stevens born in Clarksdale, Georgia, 1939 (now 72)
Becky Hobbs born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1950 (now 61)
Keech Rainwater of Lonestar born in Plano, Texas, 1963 (now 48)
Shot Jackson died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications of stroke), 1991 (was 70)
Justin Tubb died in Nashville, Tennessee (aortic aneurysm), 1998 (was 62)

January 25:

Claude Gray born in Henderson, Texas, 1932 (now 79)
Rusty Draper born in Kirksville, Missouri, 1923 (died 2003)
Speedy West born in Springfield, Missouri, 1924 (died 2003)
Cactus Jack Call died in Kansas City, Missouri (car wreck), 1963. A benefit concert for the disc jockey five weeks later was the final performances by Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas.

January 26:

 Dave Rowland of Dave & Sugar born in Sanger, California, 1942 (now 69)
Lucinda Williams born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, 1953 (now 58)
James O'Gwynn born in Winchester, Mississippi, 1928 (died 2011)
Clayton McMichen born in Allatoona, Georgia, 1900 (died 1970)
Goebel Reeves died in Long Beach, California (heart attack), 1959 (was 59)
Hillary Clinton disparagingly invoked Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" during an interview, 1992

January 27:

Buddy Emmons born in Mishawaka, Indiana, 1937 (now 74)
Lee Carroll of Exile born in Glasgow, Kentucky, 1953 (now 58)
Cheryl White of the Whites born in Wichita Falls, Texas, 1955 (now 56)
Richard Young of the Kentucky Headhunters born in Glasgow, Kentucky, 1955 (now 56)
Tracy Lawrence born in Atlanta, Texas, 1968 (now 43)
Joe Callahan of the Callahan Brothers born in Madison County, North Carolina, 1910 (died 1971)
Claude Akins died in Altadena, California (cancer), 1994 (was 67). Among the actor's roles was Sonny on the TV series Movin' On, which featured the title song performed by Merle Haggard.

January 28:

Greg Cook of Ricochet born in Vian, Oklahoma, 1965 (now 46)
Bill Phillips born in Canton, North Carolina, 1936 (died 2010)
Skeeter Willis died in Nashville, Tennessee (lymph cancer), 1976 (was 58)
Al Dexter died in Lewisville, Texas (heart attack), 1984 (was 78)
Jimmy Fortune joins the Statler Brothers, 1982

January 29:

Patsy Sledd born in Falcon, Missouri, 1944 (now 67)
Irlene Mandrell of the Mandrell Sisters born in Corpus Christi, Texas, 1957 (now 54)
Lloyd Perryman of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Ruth, Arkansas, 1917 (died 1977)
Little Jimmy Sizemore born in Paintsville, Kentucky, 1928 (died 1985)

January 30:

Jeanne Pruett born in Pell City, Alabama, 1937 (now 74)
Norma Jean ("Pretty Miss Norma Jean") born in Wellston, Oklahoma, 1938 (now 73)
Harold Morrison born in High Lonesome, Missouri, 1931 (died 1993)
Melvin Endsley born in Drasco, Arkansas, 1934 (died 2004)
Ott Devine died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1994 (was 83)

January 31:

Lynwood Lunsford of Lost & Found born in Roxboro, North Carolina, 1962 (now 49)
Warren Smith died in Longview, Texas (heart attack), 1981 (was 47)

Sick Call: The Midnite Jamboree

Category:  News/Opinion


The Midnite Jamboree, a free-admission live concert that is the second-oldest radio show in the U.S. (behind the Grand Ole Opry), may be in trouble.  The Ernest Tubb Record Shop's web site has announced that there will be no new shows until March.  


This comes on the heels of a recent change in the Midnite Jamboree's broadcasts.  Since Ernest Tubb founded the show in 1947, shortly after opening his record store on Broadway near the Ryman Auditorium, the show has aired live immediately following the conclusion of the second Saturday night Opry show.  Indeed, some of the great moments in show history involved Marty Robbins playing long after the midnight hour, only to be chided by Ernest once WSM switched over to the store for the live broadcast.  However, in October 2010 the Ernest Tubb Record Shop announced a dramatic change:  the show would no longer be broadcast live.  Furthermore, it would no longer happen at midnight (the time that gave the legendary show its name).  Instead, it would be taped at 10 p.m. and aired one week later (not even the same night it was broadcast!) at midnight.


To some degree, the time change is understandable.  Admittedly, a lot of the performers who play the Midnite Jamboree are getting older (or are old:  I recently saw 83-year-old Charlie Louvin at a taping).  A show that lets out at about 2 a.m. (and that's central time, so tack on an hour for people to travel to Nashville from eastern time zone locales to see a show), once the show is finished and the artist finishes autographing and chatting with the fans in the store afterwards, is not the best thing for either the act or the audience (be it older people or the people who have brought children to the show).  Additionally, if the crowd is there at 2 in the morning that means that store workers also have to be.


However, this was never an issue until very recently.  It follows on the heels of the Opry's Friday night shows being reduced to just one and the Saturday Opry (which has been a two-show night as long as I have been alive) being reduced to just one in the summer (ironically, during the tourist season:  in the winter, when fewer people frequent Nashville as a tourist destination, they carry on the two-show tradition). 


Add to this time change the never-before-seen cancellation of the Midnite Jamboree for two months and one cannot help but wonder what is going on.  Will the Midnite Jamboree survive much longer?  It would be tremendously sad to see this long-standing tradition of country music die.


The Midnite Jamboree will resume 10 p.m. tapings in March with "Teddy Bear Song" singer Barbara Fairchild as the host.  Here's hoping it's still around next March.

Dates of Note in Country Music, January 1-15

Category: News

(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)

January 1:

Frank Kettering of the Hoosier Hot Shots born in Monmouth, Illinois, 1909 (died 1973)
Hank Williams died in the back seat of a car between Knoxville, Tennessee and Oak Hill, West Virginia (cardiac arrest), 1953 (was 29)
Aubrey "Moon" Mullican died in Beaumont, Texas (heart attack), 1967 (was 57)
Floyd "Salty" Holmes of the Prairie Ramblers died (unknown cause), 1970 (was 60)
Townes Van Zandt died in Mount Juliet, Tennessee (heart attack), 1997 (was 52)
Del Reeves died in Nashville, Tennessee (emphysema), 2007 (was 73)
Johnny Cash played at San Quentin prison, 1959. Among the prisoners in attendance was Merle Haggard.

January 2:

Harold Bradley born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1926 (now 85)
Dick Feller born in Bronaugh, Missouri, 1943 (now 68)
Roger Miller born in Fort Worth, Texas, 1936 (died 1992)
Red Smiley died in Richmond, Virginia (complications from diabetes), 1972 (was 46)
Tex Ritter died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1974 (was 68)
Wayne Walker died (unknown causes), 1979 (was 53)
Louise Scruggs, wife and manager of Earl Scruggs, died in Nashville, Tennessee (respiratory disease), 2006 (was 78)

January 3:

Nikki Nelson of Highway 101 born in San Diego, California, 1969 (now 42)
Leon McAuliffe born in Houston, Texas, 1917 (died 1988)
Felton Jarvis died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 1981 (was 46)
Doye O'Dell died in Northridge, California (complications of a stroke), 2001 (was 88)
Quanah Talmadge Tubb (better known as Billy Talmadge Tubb) died (unknown causes), 2007 (was 81)
Grandpa Jones suffered stroke after performing on the Grand Ole Opry, 1998

Sam Phillips opened Sun Recording Studio, 1950

January 4:

Lorene Mann born in Huntland, Tennessee, 1937 (now 74)
Mike Henderson born in Independence, Missouri, 1955 (now 56)
Kathy Forester of the Forester Sisters born in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1955 (now 56)
Patty Loveless born in Pikeville, Kentucky, 1957 (now 54)
Deana Carter born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1966 (now 45)
Clayton McMichen died in Battletown, Kentucky (unknown causes), 1970 (was 69)
Jake Hess died in Opelika, Alabama (complications of heart attack), 2004 (was 76)
First barn dance program in America airs on WBAP, Fort Worth, Texas, 1923

January 5:
Steve Ripley of the Tractors born in Boise, Idaho, 1950 (now 61)
Iris DeMent born in Paragould, Arkansas, 1961 (now 50)
Big Bill Lister born in Kenedy, Texas, 1923 (died 2009)

Sam Phillips (Sun Records owner) born in Florence, Alabama, 1923 (died 2003)
Tug McGraw, former baseball pitcher and father of Tim McGraw, died in his son's home in Nashville, Tennessee (brain cancer), 2004 (was 59)

January 6:
Earl Scruggs born in Flint Hill, North Carolina, 1924 (now 87)
Joey Miskulin ("Joey the Cow Polka King") of Riders in the Sky born in Chicago, Illinois, 1949 (now 62)
Jett Williams born in Montgomery, Alabama, 1953 (now 58)
Harry "Hap" Peebles born in Anthony, Kansas, 1913 (died 1993)
Autry Inman born in Florence, Alabama, 1929 (died 1988)

Bobby Lord born in Sanford, Florida, 1934 (died 2008)

Chubby Wise died in Bowie, Maryland (heart attack), 1996 (was 80)
Bobby Austin died in Camas, Washington (illness), 2002 (was 68)
Sneaky Pete Kleinkow died in Petaluma, California (complications of Alzheimer's disease), 2007 (was 72)
Ken Nelson died in Somis, California (natural causes), 2008 (was 96)

January 7:

Jack Greene born in Maryville, Tennessee, 1930 (now 81)
Leona Williams born in Vienna, Missouri, 1943 (now 68)
Marshall Chapman born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, 1949 (now 62)
David Lee Murphy born in Herrin, Illinois, 1959 (now 52)
John Rich born in Amarillo, Texas, 1974 (now 37)
Bunny Biggs (Jamup of Jamup and Honey) born, 1897 (died 1948)
Owen Bradley died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart ailment/complications of flu), 1998 (was 82)

January 8:

Christy Lane born in Peoria, Illinois, 1940 (now 71)
Holly Tashian born in New York, New York, 1946 (now 65)

Hoke Rice of the Rice Brothers born in Gainesville, Georgia, 1909 (died 1974)
Luther Perkins born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1928 (died 1968)
Elvis Presley born in Tupelo, Mississippi, 1935 (died 1977)
Randall Hylton born in Willis, Virginia, 1946 (died 2001)
Sara Carter died in Kingsport, Tennessee (natural causes), 1979 (was 79)
Maxwell Emmett "Pat" Buttram, sidekick to Gene Autry, died in Los Angeles, California (kidney failure), 1994 (was 78)
Elvis Presley postage stamp (29c) issued by the U.S. Postal Service, 1993. The stamp is the Postal Service's best-selling commemorative stamp of all-time, with sales of over 517,000,000.
Billboard magazine publishes first "Hillbilly Records" chart, 1944. The first #1 song was "Pistol Packin' Mama" -- the Bing Crosby & Andrews Sisters' version. Al Dexter's original would be the second #1 song in Billboard chart history.

January 9:

Roy Head born in Three Rivers, Texas, 1943 (now 68)
Crystal Gayle born in Paintsville, Kentucky, 1951 (now 60)
Jimmy Day born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 1934 (died 1999)
Big Al Downing born in Lenapah, Oklahoma, 1940 (died 2005)
Jimmy Boyd ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus") born in McComb, Mississippi, 1940 (died 2009)

Richard Nixon born in Yorba Linda, California, 1913 (died 1994). Nixon was the first sitting U.S. president to attend the Grand Ole Opry (1974).
Jon Hager of the Hager Twins died in Nashville, Tennessee (illness), 2009 (was 67)

January 10:

Curly Ray Cline born in Braisden, West Virginia, 1923 (died 1997)
Zeb Turner died (cancer), 1978 (was 62)
Loretta Webb married Oliver "Mooney" Lynn, 1948

January 11:

Naomi Judd born in Ashland, Kentucky, 1946 (now 65)
Robert Earl Keen born in Houston, Texas, 1956 (now 55)
Tommy Duncan born in Hillsboro, Texas, 1911 (died 1967)
Goldie Hill Smith born in Kanes County, Texas, 1933 (died 2005)
Max D. Barnes died in Nashville, Tennesee (pneumonia), 2004 (was 67)
Jimmy Griffin of the Remingtons died in Franklin, Tennessee (cancer), 2005 (was 61)
Stonewall Jackson filed $10 million age discrimination lawsuit against the Grand Ole Opry, 2007

January 12:

Ray Price born in Perryville, Texas, 1926 (now 85)
William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Brewton, Alabama, 1939 (now 72)
Ricky Van Shelton born in Danville, Virginia, 1952 (now 59)
LaWanda Lindsey born in Tampa, Florida, 1953 (now 58)
Claudia Church Crowell born in Lenoir, North Carolina, 1962 (now 49)
Tex Ritter born in Panola County, Texas, 1905 (died 1974)
Paul Warren died in Nashville, Tennessee (illness), 1978 (was 59)
The film O Brother, Where Art Thou opened nationwide, 2001. The soundtrack won three Grammy awards: Album of the Year, Best Country Collaboration with Vocals (Dan Tyminski, "Man of Constant Sorrow"), and Best Male Country Vocal Performance (Dr. Ralph Stanley, "O Death"). It also sold over eight million copies and sparked a brief resurgence in the popularity of bluegrass and traditional country music.

January 13:

Trace Adkins born in Springhill, Louisiana, 1962 (now 49)
Jenny Lou Carson born in Decatur, Illinois, 1915 (died 1978)
Doyle Holly died in Nashville, Tennessee (prostate cancer), 2007 (was 70)

January 14:

Billie Jo Spears born in Beaumont, Texas, 1937 (now 74)
J. Henry "T-Bone" Burnett born in St. Louis Missouri, 1948 (now 63).  An Americana music performer and producer (of albums by Los Lobos and the BoDeans), he was the producer of the award-winning soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou.

January 15:

David Lynn Jones born in Bexar, Arkansas, 1950 (now 61)
Kurt Howell of Southern Pacific born in Winter Haven, Florida, 1958 (now 53)
Billy Walker born in Ralls, Texas, 1929 (died 2006)

Jack Guthrie died in Livermore, California (tuberculosis), 1948 (was 32)
Vic Willis died in Hohenwald, Tennessee (car wreck), 1995 (was 72)

The Final Notes of 2010

Category:  News

Here is the chronological list of those from the world of country music who performed their last song in 2010.

Chilton Price Searcy (January 14, age 96, natural causes):  a songwriter who wrote Pee Wee King & Redd Stewart's hit "Slow Poke" and the classic "You Belong to Me," covered by the likes of Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline (and lampooned by Homer & Jethro).

Carl Smith (January 16, age 82, complications of stroke):  Country Music Hall of Famer with a long and productive career (and father of Carlene Carter).

Richard A. "Pete" Peterson (February 8, age 77, unknown causes):  historian and author of the book Creating Country Music:  Fabricating Authenticity.

Michael Blosil (February 26, age 18, suicide [jumped to his death]):  the son of Marie Osmond.

Matt Wariner (April 16, age 28, car wreck):  the nephew of country singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve Wariner and local (Noblesville, Indiana) musician himself.

Hoot Borden (May 1, age and cause unknown):  the longtime bus driver for Ernest Tubb.

Ernie Harwell (May 6, age 92, cancer):  the voice of baseball's Detroit Tigers for decades was also a songwriter.  The first song of his that was ever recorded was "Upside Down," which appeared on Homer & Jethro's 1967 album Somethin' Stupid.

Judy Lynn (May 26, age 74, congestive heart failure):  an underrated singer who had one major hit, 1962's "Footsteps of a Fool," and gave up her career in 1980 to go into the ministry.

Thomas "Slim" Bryant (May 27, age 101, illness):  singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose talent went all the way back to the Skillet Lickers.  He was also the last living person who recorded with Father of Country Music Jimmie Rodgers (he played on Rodgers' recording "Miss the Mississippi and You").

Jimmy Dean (June 13, age 81, natural causes):  a pioneer in country music and Muppets (Jim Henson's creation Rowlf the dog was a regular on Dean's TV show), he had a long career as a singer ("Big Bad John," "PT 109") and as a sausage maker.  He was one of the 2010 Hall of Fame inductees.

Bill Porter (July 7, age 79, Alzheimer's disease):  when Chet Atkins was asked how he developed the Nashville Sound, he had a two-word answer:  "Bill Porter."  The legendary RCA engineer worked with rock's Presley and country's Reeves with equal, amazing results.

Hank Cochran (July 15, age 74, pancreatic cancer):  he wrote songs.  Boy, did he write songs:  "I Fall to Pieces," "A-11," "The Chair," "Don't Touch Me," "I'd Fight the World," "It's Not Love (But It's Not Bad)," and so many more.

Fred Carter, Jr. (July 17, age 76, stroke):  the father of Deana Carter was also a prolific session musician.

Margaret Ann Rich (July 22, age 76, Alzheimer's disease):  the widow of Charlie Rich was also the writer of his songs "Field of Yellow Daisies" and "Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs."

Grady "Tiny" Harris (July 23, age 81, blood clot):  the leader of the Tiny Harris Band, an outfit that played behind the likes of Freddie Hart and Tammy Wynette.

John L. "Johnny" Carson (July 27, age 77, heart failure):  the grandson of Fiddlin' John Carson helped to found the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.

Ben Keith (July 27, age 73, heart attack):  when Neil Young wanted a country sound he called on Keith's steel guitar prowess, which were evident on Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces."

John Aylesworth (July 28, age 80, pneumonia):  he created a countrified version of Laugh-In for the CBS network.  He called it Hee Haw. 

Mitch Miller (July 31, age 99, illness):  the king of the "sing-along" records also produced sessions for Marty Robbins.

Mitch Jayne (August 2, age 80, cancer):  Mayberry's favorite band the Darlings were actually the Dillards, with Jayne on bass.  Jayne and the Dillards were inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2009.

Kenny Edwards (August 19, age 64, prostate cancer):  Edwards co-founded the Stone Poneys, a country-rock band with a young lead vocalist by the name of LInda Ronstadt.  After the band disbanded Edwards lent his talents on guitar, steel, and harmony to Ronstadt's music.

Bill Phillips (August 23, age 74, diabetes):  an underrated songwriter (he co-wrote "Falling Back to You," which Webb Pierce recorded) and singer, his biggest hit was "Put It Off Until Tomorrow," a song that introduced the world to co-author and background singer Dolly Parton.

Linda Hargrove (October 24, age 61, leukemia/complications of bone marrow transplant):  Nashville songwriter who gave us the classics "Tennessee Whiskey" (George Jones) and "Just Get Up and Close the Door" (Johnny Rodriguez). 

Ronny Scaife (November 3, age 63, brain hemorrhage):  the songwriter behind Travis Tritt's "The Whiskey Ain't Workin'."

Don Meredith (December 5, age 72, brain hemorrhage):  "Dandy Don," the color commentator on ABC's Monday Night Football, turned Willie Nelson's "The Party's Over" into a household song.

Nick ("Nick the Stick") Hunter (December 16, age 67, cancer):  he promoted the likes of Hank Williams Jr. and Dwight Yoakam and founded what is now known as Koch Records.

Farewell, and thanks for the music.

Hank Williams Party at Herzog

Category:  News


The Cincinnati Music Heritage Foundation hosted a "Hank Williams Christmas Party" on the second floor of the building at 811 Race Street in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday (December 22).  The date and locale were significant in that it was on December 22, 1948 that Hank Williams entered the Herzog Studios, located on the second floor of the building, and recorded "Lovesick Blues."


The occasion also served as a listening party for the forthcoming Sol Records release Hank to Thank by the Dallas Moore Band.  Moore, who sings as though he is channeling Waylon Jennings, recorded the album in the old Herzog space, marking the first time since the official studios closed in the 1950s that the locale has been used to record an album (think Marty Stuart's Ghost Train:  The Studio B Sessions).  


Author Brian Turpen, who is a contributor to the Hank Williams Fan Club magazine and author of the book Ramblin' Man:  Short Stories From the Life of Hank Williams, was on hand for the event.  During his remarks he stated the Herzog site is the only building in which Williams recorded that has survived the wrecking ball or urban expansion.


Live music was provided by Cincinnati's honky tonk band Straw Boss, who roared through a number of classic country songs, some of which ("Blues Stay Away From Me" and the song the night honored) were recorded at Herzog.  They are a promising band, but they tend to suffer from the desire to modernize classic country songs with a rock sound (most noted on their forgettable version of "Blue Yodel #1 [T for Texas]").  When they stuck to singing the country songs like country songs they were a good highlight to the festivities.


Among the attendees were funk legend (and Cincinnati native/music scene supporter) Bootsy Collins and his wife.