Musician

Introducing TMO Radio!

Hello Friends!

You might have noticed the TMO RADIO tab at the upper right of this blog.  Well, if you click on that you will be taken to my brand new New Music page where you can check out the best of each week’s new releases!  As much as I appreciate you visiting to check out the music made by those we’ve lost over the years, there is plenty of great new music still coming out each week.  And now you can learn about, listen to, and even purchase some on my TMO Radio.

Either click the tab above, or right here – TMO Radio

Died On This Date (December 8, 2011) Dan “Bee” Spears / Longtime Bassist For Willie Nelson

Dan “Bee” Spears
August 11, 1949 – December 8, 2011

Bee Spears was a Nashville bassist who is perhaps best remembered for his long tenure in Willie Nelson’s band.  Born into and raised by a musical family, Spears was just 19 when he began playing, and occasionally singing, with Nelson.  The year was 1968, and Spears went on to stand by Nelson’s side for more than 40 years.   Even when Nelson transitioned from “Nashville” to “Outlaw,” it was Spears that remained the constant.   Besides playing on such Nelson landmark  albums as Stardust and Red Headed Stranger, Spears can be heard on tracks by the likes of Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Guy Clark.  Bee Spears died on December 9, 2011 from exposure to the elements after slipping and falling near his property.  He was 62.

Thanks to Ken McCullagh for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Red Headed Stranger - Willie Nelson

Died On This Date (December 7, 2011) Bob Burnett / The Highwaymen

Bob Burnett
February 7, 1940 – December 8, 2011

Photo by Mark Swirsky

Bob Burnett was an original member of the Highwaymen, an influential collegiate folk group whose “Michael Row Your Boat Ashore” and “Cotton Fields” were two of the most significant songs to come along during the ’60s folk scene.  Formed in 1958, the group drew sizable crowds along the college circuit while popularizing traditional American music to a whole new generation.  In 1961, the group scored its biggest hit with “Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore,” which reached #1 on the singles chart and sold over a million copies.  That was followed by the nearly as successful, “Cotton Fields.”  The Highwaymen broke up in 1964, freeing up Burnett to pursue a law degree from Harvard.  After accomplishing that, he went on to have a long and successful career in law and banking.  In 1990, the Highwaymen reunited for a second run which found them doing weekend concerts and recording several more albums.  Bob Burnett, 71, died as the result of brain cancer on December 7, 2011.  He follows band mates Chan Daniels, Dave Fisher, and later member, Gil Robbins (father of actor, Tim Robbins), who have all passed away as well.

Thanks to Paul Bearer for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

The Folk Hits Collection - The Highwaymen

Died On This Date (December 4, 2011) Hubert Sumlin / Chicago Blues Legend

Hubert Sumlin
November 16, 1931 – December 4, 2011

Hubert Sumlin was a Chicago Blues electric guitarist and singer who is most often remembered for his time playing with Howlin’ Wolf during the 1960s.  Decades later, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at #43 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time. Raised in Arkansas, Sumlin was just six when he began playing to guitar, and he was still just a youngster when he first met Wolf after sneaking into one of his shows.  Years later, Wolf, who had by then settled in Chicago, invited Sumlin to move up and join him in his band.  By 1955, Sumlin was the lead guitarist of the group, and would stay as such for the rest of Wolf’s career.  Sumlin can be heard on Wolf’s landmark album, Howlin’ Wolf, which is considered one of the greatest blues albums of all times.  He also played with Muddy Waters for a brief time.   Sumlin released several of his own albums between 1964 and 2004 when he had to give up recording after having one of his lungs removed.  He did, however, continue to perform up into his final years.   In 2008, Sumlin was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame, and over the years he received four Grammy nominations.  Hubert Sumlin died of heart failure on December 4, 2011.  He was 80.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

I Know You - Hubert Sumlin

Died On This Date (December 2, 2011) Bill Tapia / 103 Year Old Ukulele Legend

Bill Tapia
January 1, 1908 – December 2, 2011

Bill Tapia was arguably the greatest if not longest working ukulele player the world has ever known.  Born in Honolulu, HI, Tapia was only 10 when he was entertaining American troops who were stationed in Hawaii during WWI.  Before he knew it, Tapia was touring with vaudeville shows and playing on steam ships between Hawaii and the mainland.  When the ukulele became all the rage during the ’40s and ’50s, Tapia was the teacher to the stars, tutoring the likes of Shirley Temple, Clark Gable, and Elvis Presley.   He also played with such music luminaries as Fats Waller, Bing Crosby, and Billie Holiday.  Tapia moved to San Francisco following WWII and was more or less retired – outside of guitar teaching. Then in 2004, he launched his comeback at the age of 96!  He released an album of jazz and Hawaiian tunes later that year.  In 2001, Tapia celebrated his 100th birthday with a jazz concert which was recorded and later released.  He continued to tour until 2010.  Bill Tapia was 103 when he passed away on December 2, 2011.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

Live At the Warner Grand - The 100th Birthday Concert - Bill Tapia