Died On This Date (August 13, 2013) Tompall Glaser / Country Music Great
themusicsover Tompall Glaser
September 3, 1933 – August 13, 2013
Tompall 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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Jon Brookes is best remembered as the drummer for English alternative rock band, the Charlatans (or Charlatans UK, as they are known in the US). A founding member of the band, Brookes stayed with them until his passing. Formed in 1989, the band had hits with “Weirdo,” “The Only One I Know,” and “Can’t Get Out Of Bed.” They had more than 20 Top 40 hits in the UK. While performing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 2010, Brookes collapsed on stage leading doctors to discover a brain tumor. He reportedly had surgery to treat the tumor in July of 2013 but ultimately died as a result of it on August 13, 2013. He was 44. The Charlatans original keyboardist, 
Eydie Gormé was an American vocalist who, with her longtime husband and singing partner, Steve Lawrence, made some of the most popular recordings of the mid-20th century. Born in New York City, Gormé made her first record fronting the Tommy Tucker Orchestra in 1950. During her early years, Gormé worked with several big bands including that of the great Tex Beneke. In 1953, she appeared on The Tonight Show with Steve Allen, which kicked her career into high gear. She also met Lawrence who was also booked on the show that day. The couple went on to become one of Las Vegas’ must enduring live acts while making countless television appearances and numerous albums. She and Lawrence were presented with a Grammy in 1957 and Gormé earned a second one in 1967. Throughout her career, she released some 50 singles – solo and with Lawrence – many of which charted. Her most popular recording was 1962’s “Blame It On The Bossa Nova.” Gormé began blogging on her website in 2006 and continued to perform until she retired in 2009. Eydie Gormé was 84 when she passed away on August 10, 2013. 
Jody Payne was a country singer and musician who spent decades as Willie Nelson‘s guitarist on album and in concert. Nelson formed his perennial back-up band, the Family in 1973, and Payne was by his side until he retired in 2008. Born in Kentucky, Payne was singing with his sister as far back as five years old. He learned to play the mandolin around that time as well. A gig at his older (yes older) sister’s 1st grade graduation was his first gig. He could be heard singing on a local radio station by the time he was 11. He hit the road with a bluegrass band in 1951, and after being discharged from the Army in 1961, he went on to tour with Merle Haggard, and later recorded with the Emmylou Harris, 
