Walter Hyatt
October 25, 1949 – May 11, 1996
Walter Hyatt was an American singer-songwriter who has been called the Godfather of Americana Music. Hyatt was just 13 when he learned to play the guitar, and when he was 20, he formed Uncle Walt’s Band with David Ball and Champ Hood. The group went on to release a handful of critically acclaimed rock-by way-of-country albums that may very well have been the precise moment that “Americana” music was born. The group ultimately performed on PBS’s landmark concert program, Austin City Limits. Uncle Walt’s Band broke up in 1975, but reunited once of twice after that. Hyatt went on to release a few solo albums over the next decade or so. On May 11, 1996 Walter Hyatt, along with 109 other passengers and crew were killed when their Valujet Flight 592 caught fire and crashed into the Florida Everglades. He was 46 years old.
Thanks to Tom Buccieri for the assist.
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