Died On This Date (August 13, 2013) Tompall Glaser / Country Music Great

Tompall Glaser
September 3, 1933 – August 13, 2013

tompall-glaserTompall Glaser was one of the original so-called “outlaws” of country music. Alongside the likes of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, and Billy Joe Shaver, Glaser put Nashville on watch by working, living, and playing outside the mainstream country music rules of the ’70s.  Born in Spalding, Nebraska, Glaser initially moved to Nashville with his brothers to sing back up for Marty Robbins.  The brothers were also making their own records before Tompall went off on his own.  Over the course of his solo career, he released around a dozen albums that included hit country singles like “Put Another Log On The Fire” and “It’ll Be Her.”  Perhaps his most famous song however, “Streets Of Baltimore,” found its glory thanks to being covered by the likes of Gram Parsons, Bobby Bare, the Statler Brothers, Charley Pride, and Norah Jones‘ country group, the Little Willies.  Meanwhile, Glaser and his brothers opened Glaser Brothers Sound Studio, or as it was affectionately known around town, Hillbilly Central.  The compound quickly established itself as the fostering ground for the “outlaw” movement.  As it took hold, even RCA Records had to react by releasing Wanted! The Outlaws, a compilation of previously released tracks by Glaser, Nelson, Jennings, and Jessie Colter.  Glaser’s contribution, “T For Texas,” reached #36 on the Country Singles charts and is considered one of the milestones of the era.  The album itself, released in 1976, became the first Country album to sell over 1 million copies as it reached #1 on the Country Album charts and #10 on the Pop Album charts.  Glaser continued to record with his brothers until 1982 and released one last solo album in 1986 before selling the studio and retiring from the music business altogether.  Tompall Glaser died following a long undisclosed illness on August 13, 2013.  He was 79.

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Died On This Date (August 6, 2011) Marshall Grant / Bassist For Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two

Marshall Grant
May 1928 – August 6, 2011

Marshall Grant is perhaps best remembered as the bassist and back-up singer for Johnny Cash’s legendary Tennessee Two and later, the Tennessee Three when a drummer was added.  Born in North Carolina, Grant eventually landed in Memphis, Tennessee where he found work as an auto mechanic.  He was soon introduced to Cash by his older brother, Roy Cash, Sr., who was working for an automobile company at the time.  Grant, Cash, Luther Perkins,  and Red Kernodle began jamming together on guitar, and when they decided to add bass to the mix, Grant taught himself how to play the instrument.  The year was 1954, and Grant went on to play with Cash until 1980, helping change country music forever with their “boom-chicka-boom” sound.  He played on countless Cash recordings and was by his side for the legendary San Quentin and Folsom Prison gigs.  In 1980, Grant was fired by Cash during his much documented drug-riddled period, leading to bitter lawsuits which were eventually settled out of court.  Grant and Cash later reconciled their friendship and were reunited on stage in 1999.  Away from Cash, Grant can be heard on recordings by the likes of June Carter, Waylon Jennings, the Highwaymen, and Bob Dylan.  He also served as Cash’s manager as well as that of the Statler Brothers in later years.  In 2006, Grant released his memoirs, I Was There When it Happened: My Life With Johnny Cash.  He also became a respected power boat owner and racer.  Marshall Grant was 83 when he passed away on August 6, 2011.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus of the Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist

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At Folsom Prison (Legacy Edition) - Johnny Cash