Paul Kirby was a Nashville singer-songwriter who fronted the popular roots rock band, Walk The West and later, Cactus Brothers. Decades before anyone thought up the name, “Americana” as a music genre, Kirby was marrying rock ‘n roll with rough-and-tumble country music. Formed with his brother, Will Kirby and schoolmate John Goleman in 1984, Walk The West quickly built a sizable local following thanks to their blistering live shows and growing arsenal of original songs. They were quickly snapped up by Capitol Records just as major labels were trying to find their own contributions to the “cow punk” scene that was suddenly in vogue. The band had a a couple of minor hits thanks in part to video play on MTV and opening slots for the likes of the Smithereens and the Ramones. Walk The West never released a follow up for Capitol and disbanded within the next few years. During the early ’90s, Kirby resurfaced with the more adventurous Cactus Brothers who were definitely more “alt” than “country,” but nonetheless found a home on Liberty Records who was currently riding the high of Garth Brooks. The band released two albums and appeared in the film Pure Country before again being dropped by their label. Kirby and Walk The West reunited for a special event in Nashville in 2008, and then again just weeks before his untimely death. According to the Nashville Scene, Paul Kirby died of cardiac arrest on September 25, 2011. He was 48. Fellow Cactus Brother David Schnaufer died in 2006.
Fred Imus was a songwriter, radio personality, younger brother, and frequent guest of controversial radio talk giant, Don Imus. In 1962, the Imus brothers co-wrote and recorded “I’m a Hot Rodder (and All That Jazz)” under the name Jay Jay Imus and Freddy Ford. Years later, while working on the railroad during the mid ’70s, the younger Imus and friend, Phil Sweet co-wrote “I Don’t Want To Have To Marry You” which shot to #1 on the country music charts as recorded by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius. The tune was ultimately named Song of the Year by Music City News. During the ’90s, Imus began restoring vintage cars at his Auto Body Express which eventually became extremely successful for its branded clothing and food products thanks to publicity from his brother’s radio show. The shop, along with a second gift shop in the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, closed in 2003. In recent years, Imus could be heard on his weekly Americana music program, Trailer Park Bash, which aired on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel. The program was literally broadcast from his trailer in the Arizona desert. On August 6, 2011, Fred Imus was found dead in his bed when he failed to report to the studio for his radio program. He reportedly died in his sleep at the age of 69.
Gary Claxton was a respected Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter and guitarist. As part of alt-country band, Heybale he was a popular weekly draw at the city’s world-famous watering hole, The Continental Club for nearly a decade. That group also featured the great Redd Volkaert of Merle Haggard fame, and Ernie Poole Ball who played with Johnny Cash. Claxton was born in Oklahoma and eventually moved to Nashville after winning a songwriting contest. But he quickly became disillusion by the business that is country music, so he packed up and moved to Austin where his honky-tonk inspired sound fit more easily. He later met the great Tom Lewis who invited him to join Heybale. Either as part of Heybale or fronting groups made up of other local friends, he was always a crowd-pleaser thanks to his golden voice and his respect for traditional country music. Gary Claxton took his own life on January 6, 2011. He was 50 years old.
Jack Emerson was a longtime music executive who first made his mark on the industry as co-owner of Praxis International, an independent label and management company. During the company’s 14 years, Emerson helped guide the careers of such roots music luminaries as John Hiatt, the Georgia Satellites, and Webb Wilder. Later, Emerson joined forces with Steve Earle to launch E-Squared Records who put out releases by the V-Roys, Steve Earle & the Del McCoury Band, and others. Emerson ultimately ran Jack of Heart Recordings. He also helped form the Americana Music Association. Jack Emerson passed away on November 22, 2003 following a courageous battle with lung and respiratory problems. He was 43
Champ Hood was a respected Texas guitarist who is perhaps best remembered as part of Uncle Walt’s Band (with Walter Hyatt and David Bell.) Formed in Austin during the early ’70s, Uncle Walt’s Band released a handful of critically acclaimed rock by way of country albums that may very well have been the birth of “Americana” music. The band ultimately performed on PBS’s landmark concert program, Austin City Limits. Outside of Uncle Walt’s Band, Hood collaborated with the likes of Lyle Lovett, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Blaze Foley. Champ Hood died as a result of cancer on November 3, 2001.
Paul Kirby was a Nashville singer-songwriter who fronted the popular roots rock band, Walk The West and later, Cactus Brothers. Decades before anyone thought up the name, “Americana” as a music genre, Kirby was marrying rock ‘n roll with rough-and-tumble country music. Formed with his brother, Will Kirby and schoolmate John Goleman in 1984, Walk The West quickly built a sizable local following thanks to their blistering live shows and growing arsenal of original songs. They were quickly snapped up by Capitol Records just as major labels were trying to find their own contributions to the “cow punk” scene that was suddenly in vogue. The band had a a couple of minor hits thanks in part to video play on MTV and opening slots for the likes of the Smithereens and the Ramones. Walk The West never released a follow up for Capitol and disbanded within the next few years. During the early ’90s, Kirby resurfaced with the more adventurous Cactus Brothers who were definitely more “alt” than “country,” but nonetheless found a home on Liberty Records who was currently riding the high of Garth Brooks. The band released two albums and appeared in the film Pure Country before again being dropped by their label. Kirby and Walk The West reunited for a special event in Nashville in 2008, and then again just weeks before his untimely death. According to the Nashville Scene, Paul Kirby died of cardiac arrest on September 25, 2011. He was 48. Fellow Cactus Brother David Schnaufer died in 2006.
Jack Emerson was a longtime music executive who first made his mark on the industry as co-owner of Praxis International, an independent label and management company. During the company’s 14 years, Emerson helped guide the careers of such roots music luminaries as John Hiatt, the Georgia Satellites, and Webb Wilder. Later, Emerson joined forces with Steve Earle to launch E-Squared Records who put out releases by the V-Roys, Steve Earle & the Del McCoury Band, and others. Emerson ultimately ran Jack of Heart Recordings. He also helped form the Americana Music Association. Jack Emerson passed away on November 22, 2003 following a courageous battle with lung and respiratory problems. He was 43
Champ Hood was a respected Texas guitarist who is perhaps best remembered as part of Uncle Walt’s Band (with 