Died On This Date (January 15, 2017) Greg Trooper / Acclaimed Singer-Songwriter

Greg Trooper
January 13, 1956 – January 15, 2017

Greg Trooper was a singer-songwriter who, besides building up a hefty library of his own releases, had songs recorded by Vince Gill, Steve EarleMaura O’Connell, Robert Earle Keen, and Billy Bragg, among others. Born in Neptune, New Jersey, Trooper spent much of his teenage years frequenting folk venues of Greenwich Village. It served him well. After a detour to Kansas for college, he settled in New York City where he spent more than a decade playing clubs, pitching his songs, and recording his first couple of albums.  By the mid ’90s, Trooper was living in Nashville where he released several more albums, working with producers like Buddy Miller and Garry Tallent of the E Street Band.  Throughout his career, he released more than a dozen albums – the studio albums at least, to critical acclaim.  During the summer of 2015, Greg Trooper was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which took his life on January 15, 2017.  He was 61.

What You Should Own

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Died On This Date (May 17, 2016) Guy Clark / Revered Texas Singer-Songwriter

Guy Clark
November 6, 1941 – May 17, 2016

guy-clarkGuy Clark was the true embodiment of a “songwriter’s songwriter.”  Born in Texas, Clark’s name is rarely excluded when conversations turn to the greats from that state. Alongside contemporaries like Townes Van Zandt and Jerry Jeff Walker, Clark laid down the foundation for what is now simply called Texas Music or Texas Country.  His lyrics, served over mostly sparse blues folk instrumentation, tended to come as close to being called literature as songs could get.  As a performer – and most of the time armed with little more than his acoustic guitar or maybe a second and a fiddle, Clark could leave an audience holding its collective breath in anticipation of the next word coming from his mouth – and many times, that was during his talk leading up to the song. He eventually settled in Nashville where he and his wife, Susanna Clark, often welcomed local songwriters into their home where they could work on perfecting their craft in informal workshops.  This open houses often hosted the likes of Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, and Steve Young.  Clark’s songs have been hits for such country luminaries as Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Ricky Skaggs, and Rodney Crowell.  For his own recordings, Clark garnered numerous accolades, including a Best Folk Album Grammy for his 2014 release, My Favorite Picture of You.  On May 17, 2016, Guy Clark died following a courageous battle against cancer.  He was 74.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com
Click to find at amazon.com


Died On This Date (June 27, 2012) Susanna Clark / American Songwriter & Artist / Wife Of Guy Clark

Susanna Clark
1939 – June 27, 2012

Susanna Clark was a Texas-born songwriter and artist.  She was also the longtime wife, muse, and occasional song character of fellow songwriting great, Guy Clark.  A one-time art instructor herself, Clark’s paintings have appeared on album covers for the likes of her husband (Old No. 1), Emmylou Harris (Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town), and Willie Nelson (Stardust).  As a songwriter, she either wrote or co-wrote songs that were recorded by Emmylou Harris, Carlene Carter, Jessi Colter, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Miranda Lambert.    The Clarks married in Nashville in 1972, and opened their home to friends for jams and master songwriting classes of sorts.  Regular guests included Townes Van Zandt, Crowell, and Earle.  In poor health in recent years, Susanna Clark passed away on June 27, 2012.  She was 73.

Thanks to Harold Lepidus for the assist.



Died On This Date (December 18, 2011) Warren Hellman / Founder Of Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival

Warren Hellman
January 25, 1934 – December 18, 2011

Warren Hellman was a successful private equity investor whose Hellman & Friedman rose to become a multi-billion dollar firm.  He was also a philanthropist and music junkie who founded AND funded San Francisco’s popular Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival.  A banjo player himself, Hellman launched the Golden Gate Park event in 2001 to an audience of  just 13,000.  Since then, it has swelled to be one of the world’s greatest music events, drawing as many 500,000 each year over two days.  And the best part, it is FREE to attend as Hellman’s gift back to the city.  The inaugural festival presented just four acts on the main stage and another five on its second.  Performers included Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss, and Hazel Dickens.   The 2011 event hosted over 100 performers including Chris Isaak, Bright EyesM. Ward, Steve Earle, Robert Plant, and Del McCoury.  Warren Hellman was 77 when he died from complications of leukemia on December 18, 2011.  Hellman reportedly left a trust fund to finance future festivals.

Do yourself a favor and attend Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival next year!



Died On This Date (November 22, 2003) Jack Emerson / Nashville Industry Veteran

John “Jack” Emerson
1960 – November 22, 2003

Jack Emerson was a longtime music executive who first made his mark on the industry as co-owner of Praxis International, an independent label and management company. During the company’s 14 years, Emerson helped guide the careers of such roots music luminaries as John Hiatt, the Georgia Satellites, and Webb Wilder.  Later, Emerson joined forces with Steve Earle to launch E-Squared Records who put out releases by the V-Roys, Steve Earle & the Del McCoury Band, and others.  Emerson ultimately ran Jack of Heart Recordings.  He also helped form the Americana Music Association.  Jack Emerson passed away on November 22, 2003 following a courageous battle with lung and respiratory problems. He was 43

Thanks  to Jon Grimson for the assist.