Died On This Date (August 14, 2011) Tom Tilton / Former Capitol Records Executive

Tom Tilton
December 1, 1935 – August 14, 2011

Tom Tilton was a long time sales executive for Capitol Records and later, its distribution arm which was renamed Cema Distribution during the late ’80s.  Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Tilton went to work for Capitol as a young man, and ultimately found himself running the Cema sales branch in Dallas, Texas where he was loved and respected by his staff and colleagues throughout the entire company.  During his tenure with Capitol-EMI Music, Tilton played a key role in the successes of such artists as varied as the Beatles, Duran Duran, Bob Seger, Tina Turner, Garth Brooks, Iron Maiden, and the Beach Boys. Tilton left the music industry during the mid ’90s, but stayed in the Dallas area where he farmed and raised horses and cattle for the rest of his working life.  Tom Tilton was 75 when he passed away peacefully on August 14, 2011.

Thanks to Alexis Kelley for the assist.



Died On This Date (March 30, 2011) Harley Allen / Country Singer & Songwriter

Harley Allen
June 23, 1956 – March 30, 2011

Harley Allen was a country singer and highly sought-after songwriter.  Born to bluegrass legend Red Allen in Dayton, Ohio, Allen eventually landed in Nashville and began releasing a string of albums with his brothers, the Allen Brothers, and on his own.  In 2002, his voice could be heard on the Grammy-winning “Man Of Constant Sorrow” from the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack.  As an in-demand songwriter, Allen penned or co-wrote charting records for the likes of Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Del McCoury, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss and many many more.  His “The Baby” ended up being a huge hit for Blake Shelton.  Harley Allen died of lung cancer on March 30, 2011.  He was 55.

Thanks to Craig Rosen at Number1Albums


Died On This Date (January 25, 2011) Buddy Charleton / Pedal Steel Great

Buddy Charleton
March 6, 1938 – January 25, 2011

Buddy Charleton was a highly respected steel guitar player who is perhaps best remembered for his days playing in Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours.  Charleton was just 23 when he began playing with Tubb, and he would continue to perform live and on record with his band until 1973.  He then went on to become a sought-after instructor and session player for the likes of Garth Brooks, George Strait, and Reba McIntire.  Buddy Charleton was 72 when he passed away on January 25, 2011.  He had been battling lung cancer.

 



Died On This Date (April 22, 2008) Bob Childers / Americana Singer-Songwriter

Bob Childers
November 20, 1946 – April 22, 2008

Oklahoma singer-songwriter Bob Childers passed away on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 of emphysema and related lung disease. Childers was a the so-called godfather or Red Dirt Music, a hard to define sub-genre of country/Americana that includes elements of country, rock and folk. After touring much of the country’s dive bars and honky tonks through the ’70s, Childers released his debut album at the dawn of the ’80s. Over his career, he wrote over 1500 songs and earned accolades from no less than fellow Oklahoman, Garth Brooks who wrote a song with him. He was even invited to perform at the White House in 1982. 2004 saw the release of Restless Wind – A Tribute To The Songs of Bob Childers, a 3-CD set that included Jimmy Lafave, Cross Canadian Ragweed and The Red Dirt Rangers.




Died On This Date (March 9, 2005) Chris LeDoux / Country Star and Rodeo Champ

Chris LeDoux
October 2, 1948 – March 9, 2005

At right with Chris LeDoux (Center)

Chris LeDoux was a country music star who, unlike most, was the real deal.  Prior to his quick rise to fame thanks to a helping hand from admirer, Garth Brooks, LeDoux was a champion rodeo rider.  He is likely the only World Bareback Riding Champ to sell over six million albums.  LeDoux began his riding career in 1970, and soon began self-recording songs about life on the circuit.  His tunes quickly struck a chord with fellow riders, ranchers and cowboys for their authenticity and heart.  He was soon selling thousands of tapes out of his truck at rodeos and such.  The story goes that he manufactured over one million cassettes on a dual-tape machine in his barn, with his mother setting the egg timer for twenty minutes to remind her to go out and flip over the tapes.  Things dramatically changed in 1989, when a lyric in Brooks’ hit “Much To Young To Feel This Damn Old” pointed out that the only thing that kept the aging narrator going in a world of younger riding competitors was “a worn out tape of Chris LeDoux.”  That brought tremendous attention to LeDoux who had never met Brooks.  He was soon signed to Liberty Records, also Brooks’ label at the time.  Over the next decade, LeDoux released several popular country albums for Liberty and played to large theaters and arenas full of adoring fans.  Like Brooks, he brought the electricity and flash of rock ‘n roll to the country setting.  On March 9, 2005, Chris LeDoux died of cancer of the bile duct.  He was 56 years old.

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