Died On This Date (November 21, 2011) Paul Yandell / Band Leader For Chet Atkins

Paul Yandell
September 6, 1935 – November 21, 2011

Paul Yandell was a Nashville guitar wiz who is perhaps best remembered for the 25 years he served as Chet Atkins’ band leader and guitar duo partner.  Having become proficient on the guitar at an early age, Yandell moved to Nashville during the mid ’50s and launched his Music City career playing with the Louvin Brothers.  From there he joined up with Kitty Wells on whose show he performed from 1961 until 1970.  After a brief run with Jerry Reed, Yandell was hired by Atkins.  The year was 1975, and he went on to play alongside the guitar legend for the next quarter century.   Throughout his career, Yandell released a handful of albums, including a tribute to Atkins, Forever Chet after he passed away in 2001. As an in-demand session player, Yandell can also be heard on records by the likes of Dolly Parton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Perry Como, George Strait, and more.  Paul Yandell died of cancer on November 21, 2011.  He was 76.



Died On This Date (November 18, 2011) Wayne Scott / Singer-Songwriter; Father Of Darrell Scott

Wayne Scott
March 2, 1934 – November 18, 2011

Wayne Scott was a gifted songwriter and musician who could easily hold his own amongst the likes of such respected troubadours as Billy Joe Shaver and Townes Van Zandt.  Scott grew up in Kentucky, and although he was writing songs as far back as his teen years, he worked in car factories and steel mills until at the age of 40, he decided to pursue a career in music.  Over the years, his band of choice included his four sons, including famed chart topping songwriter, Darrell Scott.  Ironically, even though the elder Scott was an extremely prolific songwriter, he chose not to play his songs to his barroom audiences, but rather cover versions of country songs.  And it wasn’t until 2005 when he was 71 years old that Darrell finally convinced him to record an album.  The stunning collection, This Weary Land, is steeped in folk, country, and blues, and was produced by Darrell.  It features such guests as Guy Clark, Tim O’Brien, and Verlon Thompson.  Wayne Scott died on November 18, 2011 from injuries he sustained in a car accident.  He was 77.



Died On This Date (November 6, 2011) Jesse Morris / San Francisco Busker

Jesse Morris
DOB Unknown – November 6, 2011

Photo by Jenner Davis

Known throughout the San Francisco area as the “Punk Rock Johnny Cash,” Jesse Morris was a local musician who by day, busked at the city’s train stations, and by night played clubs fronting Jesse Morris & the Man Cougars.  The charismatic singer earned his nickname for his near perfect delivery of Cash songs along with punk and metal covers in the same crushed velvet baritone voice.  In 2008, Morris went into the studio to begin recording a country album.  Though never finished, several tracks are available through the Different Fur Studios site. Jesse Morris was 28 when he died of an apparent suicide on November 6, 2011.

Thanks to Kim Shepard for the assist.



Died On This Date (October 12, 2011) Taz DiGregorio / Charlie Daniels Band

Joel “Taz” DiGregorio
1944 – October 12, 2011

Taz DiGregorio is perhaps best remembered as the keyboardist for the iconic country southern rock outfit, the Charlie Daniels Band.  A member of the internationally famous group for over 40 years, DiGregorio also handled backing vocals and co-wrote many of the band’s hits, including “Simple Man,” “The Legend Of Wooley Swamp,” and their signature song, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia.”  As reported by A Taste of Country, Taz DiGregorio died of injuries sustained in a single car accident on October 12, 2011.  He was 67.  The group’s Tommy Crain passed away in 2011 as well.

Thanks to Joel at New Releases Now for the assist.

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Died On This Date (September 27, 2011) Johnnie Wright / Popular Country Singer; Husband of Kitty Wells

Johnnie Wright
May 13, 1914 – September 27, 2011

Johnnie Wright was an influential country music singer and songwriter who, along with Jack Anglin, made up the popular singing duo, Johnnie & Jack. Anglin tragically died in a car accident on his way to Patsy Cline’s funeral.  Wright and Anglin began performing together back in 1936, and during the next years, Wright married the future Queen of Country Music, Kitty Wells.  They would stay married for the next 73+ years.  In 1952, Johnnie & Jack had their first hit, “Poison Love,” and joined the Grand Ole Opry.   After Anglin died in 1963, Wright forged on with his Tennessee Mountain Boys who had a handful of hits over the next couple of years.  They included “Hello Vietnam” which went all the way to #1 .  In 1968, he and Wells began recording and touring together, which they continue to do through the early ’80s.  In 1983, the couple opened the Family Country Junction Museum and Recording Studio near their home, and operated it until the museum’s closing in 2000.  Their grandson continued to operate the recording studio.  Wright and Wells went on the record and perform for special occasions until their farewell concert in 2000.  According to The Tennessean, Johnnie Wright passed away in his home on September 27, 2011.  He was 97.  Kitty Wells died nine months later.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.