Died On This Date (August 10, 2013) Jody Payne / Longtime Guitarist For Willie Nelson
themusicsover Jody Payne
January 11, 1936 – 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, George Jones, Tanya Tucker, Leon Russell, and Hank Snow. Jody Payne died from cardiac problems on August 10, 2013. He was 77.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus of Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.
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