Died On This Date (November 21, 2011) Paul Yandell / Band Leader For Chet Atkins
themusicsover Paul Yandell
September 6, 1935 – November 21, 2011
Paul Yandell was a Nashville guitar wiz who is perhaps best remembered for the 25 years he served as Chet Atkins’ band leader and guitar duo partner. Having become proficient on the guitar at an early age, Yandell moved to Nashville during the mid ’50s and launched his Music City career playing with the Louvin Brothers. From there he joined up with Kitty Wells on whose show he performed from 1961 until 1970. After a brief run with Jerry Reed, Yandell was hired by Atkins. The year was 1975, and he went on to play alongside the guitar legend for the next quarter century. Throughout his career, Yandell released a handful of albums, including a tribute to Atkins, Forever Chet after he passed away in 2001. As an in-demand session player, Yandell can also be heard on records by the likes of Dolly Parton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Perry Como, George Strait, and more. Paul Yandell died of cancer on November 21, 2011. He was 76.
Lee Pockriss was a New York born songwriter who wrote or co-wrote several pop hits during the ’50s and ’60s. He also scored music for film and Broadway. Pockriss’ biggest hit came by way of 1960’s “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” which he co-wrote with Paul Vance. The song as recorded by Brian Hyland shot to #1 on the Billboard charts and has since been used in countless commercials, films and TV shows. Pockriss also penned “Catch A Falling Star” (
Jimmy Roselli was an American pop singer who made his mark during the ’50s and ’60s. Considered one of the most important Italian-American singers of the era, Roselli could easily hold court with 
Norma Zimmer was an American singer who is best remembered as the Champagne Lady for over 22 years on The 
Eddie Snyder was an American composer who is best remembered for co-writing the English lyrics and music for the