The Final Songs in 2019

Category: Tribute


Here are the people related to the world of country music for whom the final curtain fell in 2019.

Billy Adams (March 30, illness, age 79): Rockabilly Hall of Fame singer and gospel songwriter (author of "I Saw the Man," best-known by the Happy Goodman Family).

Frank Arnett (January 7, unknown cause, age 81): steel guitarist for several Bakersfield-based acts such as Wynn Stewart and Rose Maddox, later worked for Marty Stuart.

Jeff Austin (June 24, unspecified medical emergency, age 45): co-founder of and mandolin player for Yonder Mountain String Band.

Hal Blaine (March 11, natural causes, age 90): a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame drummer, his long and illustrious career saw him play on #1 hits as diverse as "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis, "Cherokee Reservation (Lament of the Cherokee Indian)" by Paul Revere & the Raiders, and "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" by David Frizzell & Shelly West.

Anne Boatman (June 16, Alzheimer's disease, age 71): "Opry Annie" was the assistant to Bud Wendell at the Grand Ole Opry.

Terry Bock (January 3, unknown cause, age 81): promoter for acts such as David Houston and owner of the traveling Nashville Country Music Museum.

Shirley Boone (January 11, vasculitis, age 84):  the wife of pop crooner Pat Boone was also the daughter of Hall of Fame great Red Foley.

Harold Bradley (January 31, natural causes, age 93):  Hall of Fame session musician who was part of the original "A Team," businessman, and co-founder (with brother Owen) of the Quonset Hut.

busbee (ne Michael Ryan) (September 29, glioblastoma, age 43): songwriter who worked with a number of modern acts including Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, and Garth Brooks.

Charlie Brocco (February 4, unknown cause, age 64): Grammy-winning album engineer who was rewarded for his work on Kacey Musgraves' Same Trailer, Different Park.

Maxine Brown (January 21, heart and kidney disease, age 87): the oldest of the Country Music Hall of Fame trio the Browns.

William "Beau" Bruce (May 15, unknown cause, age 49): the son of singer/songwriter Ed Bruce was also an executive at MCA Publishing.

Jerry Carrigan (June 22, long illness, age 77): Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section drummer who also worked on a large number of country recordings beginning in the 60s.

Frances Scott Carter (May 5, unknown cause, age 89):  costume designer on the TV series Hee Haw.

Justin Carter (March 16, accidental shooting, age 35): Texas-based country singer.  He was killed in an accidental shooting during the filming of a video.

Larry Carter (April 30, heart attack, age 62): longtime DJ and host of the much-loved "Bluegrass for Breakfast" program originating on WCXZ in Harrogate, Tennessee, and streamed worldwide on TuneIn.

Keith Case (September 4, unknown cause, age 79): head of the prolific Keith Case & Associates agency, who represented countless acoustic, bluegrass, and Americana artists.

Steve Cash (October 13, unknown cause, age 73): co-founder and harmonica player for the country/rock band Ozard Mountain Daredevils and writer of their biggest hit, "Jackie Blue."

John Cohen (September 16, natural causes, age 87): co-founder of the New Lost City Ramblers as well as a photographer and music professor.

Earl Thomas Conley (April 10, cerebral atrophy, age 77): songwriter and singer with a long string of hits in the 1980s.

Bob Cornett (April 11, natural causes, age 89): founder of Kentucky's "Festival of the Bluegrass" and bluegrass concert promoter in Kentucky and Florida.

Sonny Curtis (October 11, Alzheimer's disease, age 83): not the Cricket Sonny Curtis; rather, the steel guitarist who played for George Jones' Jones Boys for George Jones for decades.

Chuck Dauphin (September 18, complications of diabetes, age 45):  respected country music journalist for Billboard and Rolling Stone. 

Ray Deaton (June 4, unknown cause, age 66): one-time bass player in Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver who went on to co-found IIIrd Tyme Out with other former DL&Q members Russell Moore and Mike Hartgrove.

Edd Easter (January 30, unknown cause, age 84): member of the legendary bluegrass gospel group the Easter Brothers.

Al Embry (September 9, natural causes, age 82): longtime talent manager and promoter who worked with the likes of George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Statler Brothers, and Merle Haggard.

Raymond Fairchild (October 13, heart attack, age 80): award-winning, influential banjo player who delighted bluegrass audiences for decades.

Toni Foglesong (June 7, unknown cause, age 92): widow of music executive and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Jim Foglesong.

Fred Foster (February 20, natural causes, age 87): Country Music Hall of Fame record executive (founder of Monument Records), producer (Roy Orbison), and songwriter ("Me and Bobbie McGee").


Donnie Fritts (August 27, complications of heart surgery, age 76): the longtime Kris Kristofferson musician was also a songwriter and an early member of the "Swampers," the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.  Jerry Carrigan, who also passed away this year, was also an early member of the Swampers.

Phran Galante (September 23, lung cancer, age 64): video producer for acts such as Alabama, K.T. Oslin, and Alan Jackson.

Vivian Gilley (December 13, Alzheimer's disease, age 80): wife of country singer Mickey Gilley and his manager.

Chuck Glaser (June 10, unknown cause, age 83): the last surviving member of the trio Tompall and the Glaser Brothers.  His brother Jim died April 6.

Jim Glaser (April 6, heart attack, age 82): member of Tompall and the Glaser Brothers.  His brother Chuck died June 10.

Dr. Jerry Goff (July 12, unknown cause, age 84): Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee who was a member of the LaFevres, a well-known trumpet player in southern gospel music, and one of the founders of the Gospel Music Association.

John Goodson (May 21, non-alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, age 54): banjo player in the bluegrass gospel band the Gospel Plowboys.

Bonnie Guitar (January 13, congestive heart failure, age 95): country music singer and songwriter who had a crossover hit in 1957 with "Dark Moon."

Dallas Harms (October 12, cancer, age 84): Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame singer/songwriter whose best-known composition for US audiences would most likely be Gene Watson's hit "Paper Rosie."

Kylie Rae Harris (September 4, car wreck, age 30): Texas-based country singer who was starting her career after appearing on the TV series Troubadour, TX. 

Hoyt Herbert (July 5, unknown cause, age 87): longtime country (Lefty Frizzell) and bluegrass (Charlie Monroe's Kentucky Partners) banjo player, as well as host of WFMX's bluegrass show in North Carolina.

Dot Hindman (October 31, natural causes, age 98):  longtime figure in numerous Nashville music publishing companies.

John A. Hobbs (June 12, natural causes, age 91): the founder of Music Valley staples the Fiddler's Inn and (co-founding with Jerry Reed) the Nashville Palace.

Don Hoglen (September 27, unknown cause, age 87): last surviving member of Mac Wiseman's original Country Boys band.

Don Imus (December 26, unknown cause, age 79): legendary radio host (and VH-1 VJ) whose Imus Ranch Record albums had country singers covering interesting songs (such as Jamey Johnson's superb rendition of Meat Loaf's "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad"). 

Juanita Jackson (January 11, Alzheimer's disease, age 81): wife of country great Stonewall Jackson and his business manager.

Terry Jennings (January 25, unknown cause, age 62): oldest son of Waylon Jennings and author of Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad.  He also worked as tour manager and merchandise salesman for his father.

Carol Johnson (Carol Bass) (January 9, unknown cause, age 85): bluegrass bass player and singer with Jim and Jesse.

Dennis Jones (June 14, septic shock, age 62): bluegrass historian, disc jockey, sound man, and festival MC who had no lack of friends in the bluegrass or country music world.

Martin Katahn (October 17, extended illness, age 91): bestselling diet author (The Rotation Diet) and professor who also did numerous session work at Studio B during the "Nashville Sound" era of country music.

John Kilzner (March 12, suicide [hanging], age 62): country and rock songwriter whose best-known song was "Green, Yellow, Red," covered by Rosanne Cash on King's Record Shop. 

Bob Kingsley (October 17, bladder cancer, age 80): 1998 Country Radio Hall of Fame inductee who was the longtime host of the radio program America's Country Countdown.

Carl Knight (September 13, unknown cause, age 89): country songwriter with songs recorded by the likes of Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Mel Tillis, and Del Reeves.  He was also in WW and the Dixie Dance Kings. 

Sleepy LaBeef (December 26, unknown cause, age 84):  Rockabilly Hall of Fame singer who began a career in the 1950s and continued his success, primarily in Europe, until the day he died.

Joe Mansfield (October 31, cancer, age 77): executive at Capitol Records when Garth Brooks' career was taking off.  He continued to work for Brooks after leaving Capitol.

Glenn Martin (May 12, natural causes, age 86): Grammy-nominated country songwriter responsible for hits such as "Is Anybody Going to San Antone" and "If We're Not Back in Love By Monday."

Martha McCrory (February 16, natural causes, age 98): classically-trained cellist who played on numerous country music sessions with the likes of Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Elvis.

Ed McGowan (October 8, cause and age unknown): husband and manager of Rattlesnake Annie.

Anne Miller (January 2, illness, age unknown):  wife of country music singer/songwriter Frankie Miller.

Todd Milsap (February 23, unknown cause, age 49): son of Country Music Hall of Fame legend Ronnie Milsap.

Dan Mitchell (May 22, cause and age unknown): songwriter best-known for writing "If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You've Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)" by Alabama.  

Ralph Murphy (May 28, pneumonia, age 75): Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member noted for writing such songs as Crystal Gayle's hits "Talking in Your Sleep" and "Half the Way."

Jerry Naylor (December 5, unknown cause, age 80): member and lead vocalist of the Crickets for two years after Buddy Holly's death.

Alan Perdue (February 20, cirrhosis of the liver, age 49): bluegrass mandolin great who was a member of the band Mountain Heart.

Troy "Renfro" Proffitt (July 25, illness, age 69): guitarist in the 70s incarnation of Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys.

Gina Putman (August 5, unknown cause, age 45): daughter of songwriting legend Curly Putman was an employee at Sony-Tree Publishing.

Leon Rausch (May 14, illness, age 91): "the voice of the Texas Playboys" for a number of years beginning in the late 50s, and leader of the Texas Playboys band after Bob Wills' death.

Billy Ray Reynolds (November 29, unknown cause, age 79): country songwriter who had songs recorded by acts as diverse as Tom Jones and Alison Krauss.  He was also the guitarist for the supergroup the Highwaymen.

Steve Ripley (January 3, cancer, age 69): the founder and only regular member of the country-rock group the Tractors, best known for "Baby Likes to Rock It."

Raeanne Rubenstein (December 2, cardiac arrest, age 74): noted celebrity photography who took photos of numerous country music legends.

Vickie Salas (January 16, cancer, age 66): longtime companion of country legend Bill Anderson and the subject of his song "Until the Light Comes on Again."

Ray Sawyer (December 31, 2018, brief illness, age 81): one of the lead singers of Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, who had eight charted country songs in addition to their long career as a rock group.

Jack Scott (December 11, congestive heart failure, age 83): Canadian-born Rockabilly Hall of Fame singer who found success in country and rockabilly in the US.

Jeanette Scott (January 7, unknown cause, age 62): secretary of the organization R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers).

Les Sears (January 15, heart attack, age 70):  longtime regional bluegrass guitarist, disc jockey, and festival MC.  He was stricken while performing onstage at the Yee Haw Music Festival in Florida.

Sanger D. "Whitey" Shafer (January 12, cancer, age 84): Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame songwriter responsible for such classics as "That's the Way Love Goes," "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor," "All My Exes Live in Texas," and "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind."

Al Shusterman (April 24, unknown cause, age 75): longtime country DJ and host of the Sacramento, California program Backwoods Bluegrass.

Dewayne "Son" Smith (March 16, unknown cause, age 72): "Son" in the Geezenslaw Brothers.  Fellow Geezenslaw Sammy Allred passed away in 2018.

Faye Smith (September 13, unknown cause, age 83): longtime executive at BMI in Nashville.

Russell Smith (July 12, cancer, age 70): the lead singer and main songwriter for the country-rock group the Amazing Rhythm Aces, he also wrote songs covered by the likes of George Jones, George Strait, and T. Graham Brown.  He was also a member of the bluegrass parody group Run C&W.

John Starling (May 2, heart failure, age 79): original lead singer and guitarist for the Bluegrass Hall of Fame band the Seldom Scene.

Guy Stevenson (January 4, illness, age 89): onetime member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys and three-time SPBGMA award winner for bass player of the year.

Bertie Sullivan (February 21, unknown cause, age 78):  three-time SPBGMA "promoter or the year" award winner for her work in bluegrass concerts and festivals.

Joe Sun (October 25, natural causes, age 76): a songwriter who had marginal success recording his own songs; however, one of them ("Old Flames [Can't Hold a Candle to You]") became a #1 hit for Dolly Parton. 

Phil Thomas (January 5, unknown cause, age 74): country songwriter whose contributions included "Colorado Kool-Aid" and "Me and the IRS" by Johnny Paycheck and "Drinkin' My Way Back Home" by Gene Watson.

Luke Thompson (June 12, natural causes, age 91): Louisiana-based instrumental builder who also worked in country and bluegrass on the Louisiana Hayride.

Daniel "Flop" Tidwell (January 6, unknown cause, age 69): one-time owner of Nashville's legendary Exit/In club.

Doris Tillis (August 29, natural causes, age 79): widow of Mel Tillis and mother of Pam Tillis.

David Turner (September 18, bus wreck, age 64): road sound man for Josh Turner (no relation) for 14 years, he had also worked for the likes of Patty Loveless and Eddie Rabbitt.

Maggie Lewis Warwick (March 29, pneumonia, age 79): songwriter whose best-known works include "Mountain of Love" (covered by Johnny Rivers, Bobby G. Rice, and Charley Pride) and "The Girl Most Likely" a hit for Jeannie C. Riley).

Rusty Wilcoxen (July 17, illness, age 68): TNN producer who worked on country shows Nashville Now, American Music Shop, and Grand Ole Opry Live. 

Larry T. Wilson (December 5, illness, age 61): songwriter who had his songs recorded by the likes of Sammy Kershaw and Marty Raybon.

Mac Wiseman (February 24, kidney failure, age 93): "the voice with a heart" who thrilled bluegrass and country fans for seven decades, and an inductee in both the Country and Bluegrass halls of fame.  He was also an active music businessman, helping found the Country Music Association and the International Bluegrass Music Association.

Emmons "Skip" Woolwine (November 7, heart illness, age 61): founding member of the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame and, when hired, the youngest announcer in WSM history (hired at age 17).

Reggie Young (January 14, heart failure, age 82): longtime session guitarist who worked as an original member of Bill Black's Combo and with acts as diverse as Elvis Presley and Jimmy Buffett.

Vern Young (June 14, natural causes, age 95): bluegrass musician who had a Mac Wiseman-like voice and a long career.  He was also a country music DJ in Missouri and the former husband of Anne Young, who later married (and died with) Ira Louvin.


Farewell, and thank you for the music.

Dates of Note in Country Music, December 16-31

Category: News

(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year enshrined.  CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; DJ=Country Disc Jockey; NS=Nashville Songwriter; SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar WS=Western Swing; GLA=Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient; RR=also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

December 16:

Jeff Carson born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1964 (now 55)
Shelby Singleton born in Waskom, Texas, 1931 (died 2009)
Jim Glaser of the Glaser Brothers born in Spalding, Nebraska, 1937 (died 2019)
Jenny Lou Carson (NS 71) died in Torrance, California (unknown causes), 1978 (was 63)
Martha Carson died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2004 (was 83)
Gary Stewart died in Fort Pierce, Florida (suicide [gunshot]), 2003 (was 58)
Dan Fogelberg died in Deer Island, Maine (cancer), 2007 (was 56)
Ray Price (CM 96) died in Mount Pleasant, Texas (pancreatic cancer), 2013 (was 87)

December 17:

Frankie Miller born in Victoria, Texas, 1931 (now 88)
Sharon White Skaggs born in Wichita Falls, Texas, 1953 (now 66) 
Tracy Byrd born in Vidor, Texas, 1966 (now 53)
Karl Davis born in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, 1905 (died 1979)
Spade Cooley born in Grand, Oklahoma, 1910 (died 1969)
Nat Stuckey born in Cass County, Texas, 1933 (died 1988)
Roy Huskey Jr. born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1956 (died 1997)
Rex Allen Sr. died in Tuscon, Arizona (accidentally run over by car), 1999 (was 77)
Lance LeRoy (BG 00) died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 2015 (was 84)
Commercial plane carrying Doug Stone crash-lands in Chicago, 1999. Stone was uninjured.

December 18:

Cledus T. Judd (real name: James Poole) born in Crowe Springs, Georgia, 1964 (now 55)
Wilf Carter (Montana Slim) (NS 71) born in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, 1904 (died 1996)
Gordie Tapp died in Burlington, Ontario (pneumonia), 2016 (was 94)
The Louvin Brothers' first recording session (they recorded "Alabama") at Castle Studios, Nashville, 1947

December 19:

John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Bang born in Long Beach, California, 1945 (now 74)
Janie Fricke born in South Whitney, Indiana, 1947 (now 72)
Jumpin' Bill Carlisle (CM 02) born in Wakefield, Kentucky, 1908 (died 2003)
Little Jimmy Dickens (CM 83) born in Bolt, West Virginia, 1920 (died 2015)
Marion Worth died in Madison, Tennessee (emphysema), 1999 (was 69)
Hank Williams' last show, given at the Skyline Club, Austin, Texas, 1952
Johnny Paycheck shot a man outside a bar in Greenfield, Ohio, 1985

December 20:

Skeeter Willis of the Willis Brothers born in Colton, Oklahoma, 1917 (died 1976)
Jack Stapp (CM 89) died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1980 (was 68)
Don Law (CM 01) died in LaMarque, Texas (unknown cause), 1982 (was 80)
Hank Snow (CM 79, NS 78) died in Nashville, Tennessee (various illnesses), 1999 (was 85)
Chip Young died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from heart surgery), 2014 (was 76)

December 21:

Lee Roy Parnell born in Abilene, Texas, 1956 (now 63)
Christy Forrester of the Forester Sisters born in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, 1962 (now 57)
Vito Pellettieri born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1889 (died 1977)
Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance born in Como, Mississippi, 1925 (died 2005)
Freddie Hart (NS 04) born in Lockapoke, Alabama, 1926 (died 2018)
Natchee the Indian (ne Lester Vernon Storer) died in Santa Clara, California (unknown cause), 1970 (was 54)
John Bailes of the Bailes brothers died (unknown cause), 1989 (was 71)
Harold Morrison died in Springfield, Missouri (illness), 1993 (was 62)

December 22:

Red Stegall born in Gainesville, Texas, 1938 (now 81)
Chuck Mead of BR5-49 born in Nevada, Missouri, 1960 (now 59)
Paul Martin of Exile born in Winchester, Kentucky, 1962 (now 57)
Harold "Hawkshaw" Hawkins born in Huntington, West Virginia, 1921 (died 1963)
Dave Dudley died in Danbury, Wisconsin (heart attack), 2003 (was 75)
Dennis Linde (NS 01) died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung disease), 2006 (was 63)
Jimmy Work died in Dukedom, Tennessee (natural causes), 2018 (was 94)

December 23:

Murray "Buddy" Harman born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2008)

December 24:

Lulu Belle Wiseman born in Boone, North Carolina, 1913 (died 1999)
Zane Beck (StG 91) born in Clarksville, Arkansas, 1927 (died 1985)
Jake Hess (SG 97) born in Limestone County, Alabama, 1927 (died 2004)
Stoney Edwards born in Seminole, Oklahoma, 1929 (died 1997)
William J. "Billy" Hill (NS 82) died in Boston, Massachusetts (heart attack), 1940 (was 41)
Charlie Moore died in Maryland (illness), 1979 (was 44)

December 25:

Jimmy Buffett (NS 06) born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, 1946 (now 73)
Barbara Mandrell (CM 09, StG 09) born in Houston, Texas, 1948 (now 71)
Steve Wariner born in Noblesville, Indiana, 1954 (now 65)
Alton Delmore (CM 01, NS 71) born in Elkmont, Alabama, 1908 (died 1964)
J.R. "Curly" Seckler (BG 04) born in China Grove, North Carolina, 1919 (died 2017)
Billy Nelson, Willie Nelson's son, died in Nashville, Tennessee (suicide [hanged self]), 1991 (was 33)
Johnny Cash and family robbed and held at gunpoint in their Jamaica home, 1982

December 26:

Bob Carpenter of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1946 (now 73)
Travis Lewis of the Lewis Family (BG 06) born in Greenwood, South Carolina, 1958 (now 61)
Audrey Wiggins born in Asheville, North Carolina, 1967 (now 51)
Beecher Ray "Pete" "Bashful Brother Oswald" Kirby born in Sevier County, Tennessee, 1911 (died 2002)
Harry Choates born in Rayne, Louisiana, 1911 (died 1951)
Ronnie Prophet born in Calument, Quebec, 1938 (died 2018)
Jimmie Osborne died in Louisville, Kentucky (suicide [gunshot]), 1957 (was 34)
Miggie Lewis of the Lewis Family (BG 06) died in Augusta, Georgia (natural causes), 2017 (was 91)
Red Foley and wife Sally injured in a fire in their apartment in Nashhville, 1964

December 27:

Leonard T. "LT" Zinn (StG 05) born in Hanover, Pennsylvania, 1924 (now 95)
Les Taylor of Exile born in Oneida, Kentucky, 1948 (now 71)
Darrin Vincent of Dailey & Vincent born in Kirkville, Missouri, 1969 (now 50)
Scotty Moore (RR 00) born in Gadsden, Tennessee, 1931 (died 2016)
John Hughey (StG 96) born in Elaine, Arkansas, 1933 (died 2007)
Bob Luman died in Nashville, Tennessee (pneumonia), 1978 (was 41)
Hoagy Carmichael (NS 88) died in Rancho Mirage, California (heart ailment), 1981 (was 82)
Kent Robbins (NS 98) died in Clanton, Alabama (car wreck), 1997 (was 50)
Vestal Goodman (SG 02) died in Celebration, Florida (complications from the flu), 2003 (was 74)
Hank "Sugarfoot" Garland died in Orange Park, Florida (staph infection), 2004 (was 74)
J.R. "Curly" Seckler (BG 04) died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2017 (was 98)

December 28:

Joe Diffie born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1958 (now 61)
Mike McGuire of Shenandoah born in Haleyville, Alabama, 1958 (now 61)
Marty Roe of Diamond Rio born in Lebanon, Ohio, 1960 (now 59)
Dorsey Burnette born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1932 (died 1979)
Mike Auldridge (BG 14) died in Silver Spring, Maryland (cancer), 2012 (was 73)
Hank Williams Jr.'s first recording session at age 14, 1963

December 29:

Rose Lee Maphis born in Baltimore, Maryland, 1922 (now 97)
Ed Bruce born in Keiser, Arkansas, 1939 (now 80)

December 30:

Suzy Bogguss born in Aledo, Illinois, 1956 (now 63)
Joaquin Murphey (StG 80) born in Hollywood, California, 1923 (died 1999)
Bob Ferguson born in Willow Spring, Missouri, 1927 (died 2001)
Orville "Red" Rhodes (StG 05) born in Alton, Illinois, 1930 (died 1995)
Skeeter Davis (nee Mary Frances Penick) born in Dry Ridge, Kentucky, 1931 (died 2004)
Melvin Goins (BG 09) born in Bramwell, West Virginia, 1933 (died 2016)
John Hartford (BG 10) born in New York, New York, 1937 (died 2001)
Mike Auldridge (BG 14) born in Washington, DC, 1938 (died 2012)
Elsie McWilliams (NS 79) died in Meridian, Mississippi (natural causes), 1985 (was 89)
Henry Strzelecki died in Nashville, Tennessee (hit by car), 2014 (was 75)


December 31:

Talmadge Lewis of the Lewis Family (BG 06) born in Lincolnton, Georgia, 1934 (now 85)
Rex Allen Sr. born in Wilcox, Arizona, 1920 (died 1999)
Dale Noe born in New Boston, Ohio, 1927 (died 2005)
John Denver born in Roswell, New Mexico, 1943 (died 1997)
Rick Nelson died in DeKalb, Texas (plane crash), 1985 (was 45)
Floyd Cramer (CM 03) died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung cancer), 1997 (was 64)
Jim McReynolds of Jim & Jesse (BG 93) died in Gallatin, Tennessee (cancer), 2002 (was 75)
Hairl Hensley (DJ 95) died in Nashville, Tennessee (illness), 2017 (was 82)
Charlie Louvin injured in car accident near Manchester, Tennessee, 2001
The original Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum building closed, 2000

Dates of Note in Country Music, December 1-15

Category: News

(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year enshrined.  CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; DJ=Country Disc Jockey; NS=Nashville Songwriter; SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar; WS=Western Swing; GLA=Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient; RR=country performer also in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame)

December 1:

Darryl Ellis born in Norfolk, Virginia, 1964 (now 55)

Silm Willet born in Dublin, Texas, 1919 (died 1966)

Jim Nesbitt born in Bishopville, South Carolina, 1931 (died 2007)

Fred Rose (CM 61, NS 70) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart failure), 1954 (was 57)

Carter Stanley (BG 92) died in Bristol, Tennessee (cirrhosis of the liver), 1966 (was 41)

December 2:

John Wesley Ryles born in Bastrop, Louisiana, 1950 (now 69)

Herman Crook born in Scottsboro, Tennessee, 1898 (died 1988)

Marvin Hughes died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1986 (was 75)
Mark Gray died in Lebanon, Tennessee (unknown cause), 2016 (was 64) 

"Tennessee Waltz" recorded by Pee Wee King and Redd Stewart, 1947

December 3:

Paul Gregg of Restless Heart born in New York, New York, 1954 (now 65)

Ferlin Husky (CM 10) born in Flat River, Missouri, 1927 (died 2011)

Rabon Delmore (CM 01, NS 71) born in Dothan, Alabama, 1916 (died 1952)

Hubert Long (CM 79) born in Poteet, Texas, 1923 (died 1972)

Lew Childre died in Foley, Albama (various health issues), 1961 (was 60)

Grady Martin died (heart attack), 2001 (was 72)

Homer Bailes of the Bailes Brothers died in Ruston, Louisiana (natural causes), 2013 (was 91)

Bob Wills recorded "What Makes Bob Holler," 1973.  He suffered a stroke during the night after the recording session and never spoke or sang again.

December 4:

Chris Hillman born in Los Angeles, California, 1944 (now 75)

Rabon Delmore (CM 01, NS 71) died in Athens, Alabama (lung cancer), 1952 (was 36)

Connie B. Gay (CM 80) died in Fairfax, Virginia (cancer), 1989 (was 75)

Bob Montgomery died in Lee's Summit, Missouri (Parkinson's disease), 2014 (was 77)

Eddy Arnold's first record session as a solo artist, 1944

Sun Records' "Million Dollar Quartet" of Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and Jerry Lee Lewis record together, 1956

Connie B. Gay elected inaugural president of the Country Music Association, 1958

December 5:

Jim Messina of Poco born in Harlingen, Texas, 1947 (now 72)

Ty England born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1963 (now 56)

Ray Whitley (NS 81) born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1901 (died 1979)

Eddie Alkire (Steel Guitar 83) born in Hacker, West Virginia, 1907 (died 1981)

Michael "Bea" Lilly (BG 02) born in Clear Creek, West Virginia, 1921 (died 2005)

Don Robertson (NS 72) born in Peking, China, 1922 (died 2015)

Molly O'Day died in Huntington, West Virginia (cancer), 1987 (was 64)

Wilf Carter (Montana Slim) (NS 71) died in Scottsdale, Arizona (stomach cancer), 1996 (was 91)

The soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou released, 2000

December 6:

Helen Cornelius born in Hannibal, Missouri, 1941 (now 78)

Bill Lloyd of Foster & Lloyd born in Ft. Hood, Texas, 1955 (now 64)

Hugh Farr (CM 80) born in Llano, Texas, 1903 (died 1980)

Eddie Alkire (StG 83) born in Hacker Valley, West Virginia, 1907 (died 1981)

Jim Eanes born in Mountain Valley, Virginia, 1923 (died 1995)

Huddie "Lead Belly" Leadbetter (NS 80) died in New York, New York (Lou Gehrig's Disease), 1949 (was 60)

Roy Orbison (NS 87) died in Hendersonville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1989 (was 52)

December 7:

Bobby Osborne (BG 94) born in Hyden, Kentucky, 1931 (now 88)

Hugh X. Lewis born in Yeaddiss, Kentucky, 1932 (now 87)

Gary Morris born in Fort Worth, Texas, 1948 (now 71)

Ronnie Sessions born in Henrietta, Oklahoma, 1948 (now 71)

Slim Bryant born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1908 (died 2010)

Darrell Glenn born in Waco, Texas, 1935 (died 1990)

Dawn Sears born in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, 1961 (died 2014)

Bill Boyd died in Dallas, Texas (unknown cause), 1977 (was 67)

December 8:

Marty Raybon born in Stanford, Florida, 1959 (now 59)

Jack Stapp (CM 89) born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1912 (died 1980)

Floyd Tillman (CM 83, NS 70) born in Ryan, Oklahoma, 1914 (died 2003)

Marty Robbins (CM 82, NS 75) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1982 (was 57)

Bonnie Lou (Mary Joan Kath) died in Cincinnati, Ohio (natural causes), 2015 (was 91)

December 9:

Billy Edd Wheeler (NS 00) born in Whitesville, Virginia, 1932 (now 87)

David Kersh born in Humble, Texas, 1970 (now 49)

David Houston born in Bossier City, Louisiana, 1938 (died 1993)

Tommy Jackson died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1979 (was 53)

December 10:

Johnny Rodriguez born in Sabinal, Texas, 1951 (now 68)

Eddie Miller (NS 75) born in Camargo, Oklahoma, 1919 (died 1977)

Roy Ayers (StG 07) born in Columbus, Mississippi, 1929 (died 2012)
Jimmy Riddle died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 1982 (was 64)

John Duffey (BG 96, BG 14) died (heart attack), 1996 (was 62)

Faron Young (CM 00) died in Nashville, Tennessee (suicide [gunshot]), 1996 (was 64)
Leon Rhodes died in Nashville, Tennessee (long illness), 2017 (was 85)

Before the evening's WSM Barn Dance began, announcer George D. Hay commented, "For the past hour, you've been listening to selections taken from grand opera. Now we present Grand Ole Opry," 1927.

December 11:

Brenda Lee (CM 97, RR 02; GLA 09) born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1944 (now 75)

Charles Whitstein born in Colfax, Louisiana, 1945 (now 74)

Arthur Q. Smith (ne James Arthur Pritchett) born in Griffin, Georgia, 1909 (died 1963)

Cousin Jody (ne James Summey) born in Sevierville, Tennessee, 1914 (died 1975)

Tom Brumley (StG 92) born in Stella, Missouri, 1935 (died 2009)

Fiddlin' John Carson died in Atlanta, Georgia (natural causes), 1949 (was 81)

Dawn Sears died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung cancer), 2014 (was 53)
Jack Scott died in Warren, Michigan (congestive heart failure), 2019 (was 83)

Commercial plane with Tex Ritter aboard as a passenger hijacked to Cuba, 1968

December 12:

LaCosta Tucker born in Seminole, Texas, 1951 (now 68)

Shelton Hank Williams (Hank III) born in Houston, Texas, 1972 (now 47)

Maurice Anderson (StG 06) born in Dallas, Texas, 1934 (died 2013)

Clifton Chenier died in Lafayette, Louisiana (kidney disease related to diabetes), 1987 (was 62)

December 13:

Buck White born in Oklahoma, 1930 (now 89)

Randy Owen of Alabama (CM 05) born in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1949 (now 70)

John Anderson (NS 14) born in Orlando, Florida, 1954 (now 65)

Wesley Tuttle born in Lamar, Colorado, 1917 (died 2003)

Wayne Walker (NS 75) born in Quapaw, Oklahoma, 1925 (died 1979)

Millie Kirkham of the Anita Kerr Singers died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications of a stroke), 2015 (was 91)

Lulu Belle and Scotty Wiseman wed, 1934

December 14:

DeFord Bailey (CM 05) born in Smith County, Tennessee, 1899 (died 1982)

Walter Haynes (StG 03) born in Kingsport, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2009)

Charlie Rich born in Forest City, Arkansas, 1932 (died 1995)

Billie Jo Spears died in Vidor, Texas (cancer), 2011 (was 73)

December 15:

Doug Phelps of Kentucky Headhunters born in Leachville, Arkansas, 1960 (now 59)

Alvin Pleasant Carter (CM 70, NS 70, BG 01; GLA 05) born in Maces Spring, Virginia, 1891 (died 1960)

Jerry Wallace born in Guilford, Missouri, 1928 (died 2008)

Ernie Ashworth born in Huntsville, Alabama, 1928 (died 2009)

Nudie Cohn (ne Nuta Kotlyarenko) born in Kiev, Ukraine, 1902 (died 1984)
William Eugene "Red" Rector born in Marshall, North Carolina, 1929 (died 1990)
Jerry Chesnut (NS 92) died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2018 (was 87)

Hank Williams married Audrey Guy, 1944

Dates of Note in Country Music, November 16-30

Category: News

(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year enshrined.  CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; DJ=Country Disc Jockey; NS=Nashville Songwriter; SG=Southern Gospel; StG= Steel Guitar; WS=Western Swing; GLA=Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient; RR=country singer also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

November 16:

Troy Seals (NS 88) born in Bill Hill, Kentucky, 1938 (now 81)
Larry Cordel born in Cordell, Kentucky, 1949 (now 70)
Will Goleman of the Cactus Brothers born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1963 (now 56)
Ernest Tubb biographer Ronnie Pugh born in Texas, year unknown
W.C. Handy (NS 83) born in Florence, Alabama, 1873 (died 1958)
Gene Sullivan (NS 71) born in Carbon Hill, Alabama, 1914 (died 1984)
Earl Bolick born in Hickory, North Carolina, 1919 (died 1998)
Sol Ho'opi'i (StG 79) died in Seattle, Washington (extended illness), 1953 (was 48)
J.D. Sumner (SG 97) died in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (heart attack), 1998 (was 73)
Mentor Williams died in Taos, New Mexico (unknown cause), 2016 (was 70)

November 17:

Gordon Lightfoot born in Orilla, Ontario, Canada, 1938 (now 81). The legendary folk singer has written such hits as Marty Robbins' "Ribbon of Darkness" and Bill Anderson's "Did She Mention My Name," and a number of his own recordings have made the country chart.
Wiley Walker (NS 71) born in Laurel Hill, Florida, 1911 (died 1966)
Eva Foley (Red Foley's wife) died in Nashville, Tennessee (suicide), 1951 (was 33)
Don Gibson (CM 01, NS 73) died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2003 (was 75)
Ramona Jones died in Goodlettesville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2015 (was 91)

November 18:

John McFee of Southern Pacific born in Santa Cruz, California, 1953 (now 66)
Jessi Alexander born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1976 (now 43)
Doug Sahm died in Taos, New Mexico (heart attack), 1999 (was 58)
John Hughey (StG 96) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart disease), 2007 (was 73)

November 19:

Jerry Foster (NS 94) born in Tallapoosa, Missouri, 1935 (now 84)
Joe Falcon died (unknown cause), 1965 (was 65). Falcon is credited with making the first recording of a Cajun song in 1928 with "Allons a Lafayette."
Bobby Russell (NS 94) died in Nicholasville, Kentucky (coronary artery disease), 1992 (was 52)
Buford Abner of the Swanee River Boys (SG 02) died in Ashland, Alabama (natural causes), 2011 (was 94)
Mel Tillis (CM 07, NS 76) died in Ocala, Florida (respiratory failure), 2017 (was 85)

November 20:

Roger Murrah (NS 05) born in Athens, Alabama, 1946 (now 73)
George Grantham of Poco and Ricky Skaggs' band born in Cordell, Oklahoma, 1947 (now 72)
Josh Turner born in Hannah, South Carolina, 1977 (now 42)
Eck Robertson born in Madison County, Arkansas, 1897 (died 1975)
Judy Canova born in Starke, Florida, 1913 (died 1983)
Curly Putman (NS 76) born in Princeton, Alabama, 1930 (died 2016)
RCA buys the contract of Elvis Presley from Sun Records for $35,000, 1955

November 21:

Jean Shepard (CM 11) born in Paul Valley, Oklahoma, 1933 (died 2016)
Joe Carson born in Holliday, Texas, 1936 (died 1964)
Jim Eanes died in Martinsville, Virginia (congestive heart failure), 1995 (was 71)
Bill Vernon (BG 04) died in Rocky Mount, Virginia (asthma-induced heart attack), 1996 (was 59)
Bob White (StG 90) died in Ft. Smith, Arkansas (unknown cause), 2003 (was 70)
Charlie Cline (BG 09) died in Jasper, Alabama (long-term illness), 2004 (was 73)
Paul Yandell, C.G.P. died in Hendersonville, Tennessee (cancer), 2011 (was 76)
Charlie Daniels refused to play the "Country Freedom Concert" after being told not to perform "This Ain't No Rag, It's a Flag," 2001

November 22:

Hoagy Carmichael (NS 88) born in Bloomington, Indiana, 1899 (died 1981)
Wiley Post born in Grand Saline, Texas, 1899 (died 1935)
Doye O'Dell born in Plainview, Texas, 1912 (died 2001)
Ted Harris (NS 90) died in Lewisburg, Tennessee (unknown cause), 2015 (was 78)
First Disc Jockey Convention held in Nashville, 1952
Keith Whitley and Lorrie Morgan married, 1986

November 23:

Charlie Black (NS 91) born in Cheverly, Maryland, 1949 (now 70)
Charlie Sizemore born in Richmond, Kentucky, 1960 (now 59)
Jerry Sullivan born in Wagarville, Alabama, 1933 (died 2014)
Spade Cooley died in Oakland, California (heart attack), 1969 (was 58)
Grady Nutt died in Vinemont, Alabama (plane crash), 1982 (was 48)
Roy Acuff (CM 62, GLA 87) died in Nashville, Tennessee (congestive heart failure), 1992 (was 89)
Smokey Rogers died (unknown cause), 1993 (was 76)

November 24:

Johnny Carver born in Jackson, Mississippi, 1940 (now 79)
Steve Nelson (NS 73) born in New York, New York, 1907 (died 1981)
Stoney Edwards born in Seminole, Oklahoma, 1929 (died 1997)
Johnny Sibert (StG 98) born in Indianapolis, Indiana, 1933 (died 2013)
Teddy Wilburn died in Nashville, Tennessee (congestive heart failure), 2003 (was 71)
Charlie Douglas (DJ 94) died in Covington, Louisiana (unknown cause), 2011 (was 78)
Wanted! The Outlaws by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, and Jessi Colter certified platinum, making it the first certified platinum country music album in history, 1976

November 25:

Amy Grant born in Augusta, Georgia, 1960 (now 59)
Eddie Stubbs (DJ 12) born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, 1961 (now 58)
Biff Collie born in Little Rock, Arkansas, 1926 (died 1992)
Kayton Roberts (StG 12) born in Ona, Florida, 1933 (died 2017)
Ralph Emery debuted on WSM in overnight slot, 1957

November 26:

Hal Blair (NS 03) born in Kansas City, Missouri, 1915 (died 2001)

November 27:

Eddie Rabbitt (NS 98) born in Brooklyn, New York, 1941 (died 1998)
Charlene Arthur died in Idaho (atherosclerosis), 1987 (was 58)

November 28:

WSM Barn Dance (later known as the Grand Ole Opry) born, 1925 (now 94)
A.L. "Doodle" Owens (NS 99) born in Waco, Texas, 1930 (died 1999)
Carrie Rodgers, widow of Jimmie Rodgers, died in San Antonio, Texas (cancer), 1961

November 29:

Joel Whitburn born in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 1938 (now 81)
Jody Miller born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1941 (now 78)
Merle Travis (CM 77, NS 70) born in Rosewood, Kentucky, 1917 (died 1983)
Jim Nesbitt died in Florence, South Carolina (heart ailment), 2007 (was 75)

November 30:

Bob Moore born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1932 (now 87)
Jeannie Kendall born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1954 (now 65)
Teddy Wilburn born in Hardy, Arkansas, 1931 (died 2003)
Jack Reno born in Bloomfield, Iowa, 1935 (died 2008)
Mindy McCready born in Ft. Myers, Florida, 1975 (died 2013)
David Houston died in Bossier City, Louisiana (brain aneurysm), 1993 (was 54)
Howard "Happy" Goodman (SG 03) died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 2002 (was 81)