PASSINGS
with Dolly Parton, “Islands in the Stream.” He had earlier enjoyed a string of hit duets with Dot- tie West, and was a prolific writer, publishing several books including a Making It with Music: Kenny Rogers' Guide to the Music Business (1978) and a 2012 biography. Among his other huge recordings were “Coward of the County,” “She Believes in Me,” “Lady,” and “You Decorated My Life.” Rogers was 81 years old.
Joe Diffie Grammy and CMA winning country music
John Prine The first time I ever heard John Prine, I
was in High School. A friend played me the song “Illegal Smile” and I was hooked. For the rest of my life I would buy his every album, seek him out on TV shows like Austin City Limits, and attend about ten of his concerts. I remember like it was yesterday the first time I heard Bette Midler cover his song “Hello in There,” and Bonnie Raitt’s out- standing “Angel from Montgomery.” Prine could make you laugh and he could bring a tear. Some of the greatest songs ever written came from John. Songs like ‘”Oldest Baby in the World,” “Spanish Pipedream,” “Please Don’t Bury Me,” ‘Dear Abby,” “Sam Stone,” and so many others. Prine died Tuesday, April 7, at Nashville’s
Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was 73. The cause was complications related to the COVID-19 virus. He was 73 years old.
Kenny Rogers Multi award winning singer songwriter
and Country Music Hall of Famer Kenny Rogers died on March on 20. 2020. Kenny was a prolific hit maker, beginning with The New Christy Min- strels followed by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition in the 1960’s and virtually dominating country radio during the 1980s. He will be re- membered for massive hits like “Lucille” and “The Gambler,” as well as his chart-topping duet
legend Joe Diffie, 61, passed away today, Sunday, March 29, from complications of coronavirus (COVID-19) He continues to be celebrated in hit song homages from Jason Aldean (“1994”) to Chris Young (“Raised On Country”), with a reign of fame that includes 13 albums and more than 20 Top 10 hits to his credit. As one of the most successful singer/songwriters of the 1990s, Diffie also penned hits for artists like Tim McGraw, Conway Twitty, and Jo Dee Messina. A Tulsa na- tive, his chart-dominating iconic songs include: "Home," “If The Devil Danced (In Empty Pock- ets),” “New Way (To Light Up An Old Flame),” “Ships That Don’t Come In,” “Honky Tonk Atti- tude,” “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox,” “John Deere Green,” “Third Rock From The Sun,” “Pickup Man,” “So Help Me Girl,” “Bigger Than The Beatles,” “Texas Size Heartache,” “A Night To Remember,” “It’s Always Somethin’” and many more. Recently, he released Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie!, his first-ever vinyl LP. The Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer also celebrated a pinnacle career mile- stone of more than 25 years as a member of the historic Grand Ole Opry. •
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
