Died On This Date (September 12, 2011) Don Wayne / Wrote Numerous Country Hits
themusicsover Don Wayne (Born Donald Choate)
May 30, 1933 – September 12, 2011
Don Wayne was a respected Nashville songwriter whose songs have been recorded by a who’s who of country music legends. Born in Nashville, Wayne took a shine to country music at an early age, often catching his favorite singers on the Grand Ole Opry program on his radio. In 1953, George Morgan recorded his “Lonesome Waltz” for Columbia Records, making it Wayne’s first major label recording. In later years, his songs were made into hits by the likes of Lefty Frizzell (“Saginaw, Michigan”), Cal Smith (“Country Bumpkin”), Del Reeves (“The Belles Of Southern Bell”), and Faron Young (“Walk Tall,” which was later recorded by punk band, Stiff Little Fingers). Wayne’s songs have also been put onto vinyl by Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, George Jones, and Jerry Garcia, to name a few. Wayne also recorded a handful of his own albums, and over the years, he was either recognized or given awards to by virtually every country music organization. Don Wayne was 78 when he passed away on September 12, 2011. Although cause of death was not immediately released, he was reportedly in hospice care just prior to his death.
David Schnaufer was a folk musician whose instrument of choice, the dulcimer, can be heard on countless country, Americana and bluegrass recordings. During the ’80s, he moved from Texas to Nashville where he became one of the most in-demand studio players. Over the years he’s played on records by the likes of the Judds, Kathy Mattea, Hank Williams Jr., Alison Krauss, and Cyndi Lauper. He was also a member of alt-country band, the Cactus Brothers which included members of Walk The West. During the mid ’90s, he became a music professor at Vanderbilt University. David Schnaufer died of lung cancer on August 23, 2010. Fellow Cactus Brother, 
Don Helms’ signature steel guitar can be heard on over 100 
Barry Beckett was a respected Nashville session musician as well as a producer who’s resume is a veritable who’s who of popular music. Over the years he’s produced classic recordings by the likes of Bob Dylan, Hank Williams Jr., Bob Seger, Joan Baez, Dire Straits,