Died On This Date (September 12, 2011) Don Wayne / Wrote Numerous Country Hits
themusicsover Don Wayne (Born Donald Choate)
May 30, 1933 – September 12, 2011
Don Wayne was a respected Nashville songwriter whose songs have been recorded by a who’s who of country music legends. Born in Nashville, Wayne took a shine to country music at an early age, often catching his favorite singers on the Grand Ole Opry program on his radio. In 1953, George Morgan recorded his “Lonesome Waltz” for Columbia Records, making it Wayne’s first major label recording. In later years, his songs were made into hits by the likes of Lefty Frizzell (“Saginaw, Michigan”), Cal Smith (“Country Bumpkin”), Del Reeves (“The Belles Of Southern Bell”), and Faron Young (“Walk Tall,” which was later recorded by punk band, Stiff Little Fingers). Wayne’s songs have also been put onto vinyl by Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, George Jones, and Jerry Garcia, to name a few. Wayne also recorded a handful of his own albums, and over the years, he was either recognized or given awards to by virtually every country music organization. Don Wayne was 78 when he passed away on September 12, 2011. Although cause of death was not immediately released, he was reportedly in hospice care just prior to his death.
At 104 years old, Wade Mainer was one of the last of bluegrass’ founding fathers. He has been cited by no less than Ralph Stanley, Doc Watson, and 
Jonas Bergqvist, known professionally as B, was as songwriter and founding guitarist for Swedish narcotic metal band, Lifelover. Formed in 2005, Lifelover began building a sizable following thanks in part to such albums as 2006’s Pulver, Dekadens (2009) and their most recent, Sjukdom, released in February of 2011. They were also a popular concert draw across Europe. Jonas Bergqvist died unexpectedly on September 9, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Hilde Heltberg was a popular singer-songwriter from Oslo, Norway. She launched her career during the late ’70s, finding inspiration from the likes of Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton. By the early ’80s, Heltberg had played in such local groups as Uncle John’s Band and X-tra. She released her first solo album in 1982, and went on to release a total of 12. She competed in the esteemed Eurovision Song Contest on four separate occasions. Hilde Heltberg was 51 when she died of cancer on September 4, 2011.