Tammy Wynette left behind many classic country hits during her 55 years on earth and left an indelible mark on country music with her graceful manner and distinctive voice, leaving an everlasting mark upon country music culture. Unfortunately she passed away at only 55.
Jane Dowden Grams was an iconic broadcaster from Nashville who helped introduce country music into American homes as the president of a production company that created such iconic television shows as The Porter Wagoner Show.
Dottie West
Dottie West was an icon in country music and one of its most beloved female stars. Over her long and prolific career that spanned three decades and featured hit singles including those written for Coca-Cola advertising campaigns in the 70s (notably “Country Sunshine”); in addition to duet singing alongside such figures as Jim Reeves and Kenny Rogers.
Dottie Marie Marsh began performing on local radio broadcasts at age 13. Although her alcoholic father frequently mistreated her, Dottie refused to let his abuse stop her from pursuing a musical career and eventually relocated to Nashville where she joined Kathy Dee as part of their vocal duo called the Kay-Dots for Starday Records.
In 1967, she participated in a special recording honoring Chet Atkins’ anniversary; though not an admirer of Atkins himself, her participation launched her into national renown and helped launch the song into number one of the charts.
By the 1970s, Dottie had evolved her musical style from traditional country to country-pop and began wearing tighter stage outfits and sporting her red locks in more seductive fashion onstage. She even performed a duet with rock band the Eagles to great disapproval among purists of country music. Personally, Dottie married drummer Byron Metcalf but later divorced him before dying tragically at 58 in a car accident while driving towards an Opry appearance in 1991.
Jane Dowden Grams
Jane Dowden Grams was a Nashville television executive who helped bring country music into homes across America. As President of Show Biz Inc during the ’60s and ’70s, she oversaw series like The Porter Wagoner Show and Wilburn Brothers Show for production company Show Biz Inc – she received the Silver Circle Award by Source Foundation in 2006 for her contributions to Music Row. Jane leaves behind daughters Janie Dail Dowden of Scottsdale Arizona and Jennifer Dowden Burritt (John Burritt) of Longmeadow Massachusetts as well as one sister sister-in-laws as well as one sister-in-laws from each side as well as one sister-in-laws from Massachusetts as well as one sister-in-laws from Arizona;
“Coal Miner’s Daughter” was one of the greatest female country stars ever. A true pioneer, she stands as an iconic figure within country music.
She not only had an impressive musical career but was also an advocate for mental health and domestic violence issues, campaigning tirelessly against both. Additionally, she was very forthcoming about her personal struggles with addiction; even appearing on Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew in 2009.
Saundra Steele was an award-winning country singer known for her big personality and wide repertoire of hits. Additionally, she wrote songs for other artists such as Ronnie Milsap and George Jones.
Jim Miller
Miller not only served as the drummer of his band, but was also an experienced rancher and horse breeder. With his passion for horses and two NCAA Division II Championship wins during college competitions he rodeoed a lot. Though Miller considered himself to be an awful cook he still managed to impress friends with his barbecue skills; hunting and fishing were other loves of his.
After his release from prison, Miller settled in McCulloch County as a cowboy and racehorse owner. Over time he became friends with Emmanuel “Mannie” Clements and Sallie Clements–one day Sallie caught Miller watching a telegraph signal and was stunned when he turned around to look directly at her!
Miller later relocated to Ada, Oklahoma where he opened a saloon and boasted of his murderous history openly. Residents became suspicious of Miller and formed a posse to arrest him.
At last, however, a livestock speculator hired an assassin to kill former U.S. Marshal Allen Augustus “Gus” Bobbitt due to a land dispute. Although they found Bud Frazer as their assassin, due to a lack of witnesses they could not bring him before trial for trial; shortly thereafter he was killed; later it became believed that Jim Miller hired Frazer.
Larry Petree
Larry Petree was revered in Bakersfield. As a pedal steel guitarist, he played for some of country music’s top acts while also helping new bands flourish in Bakersfield. Recently he performed at Bakersfield Music Hall of Fame just three weeks before he was discovered dead on a desert road; according to family members he appeared disoriented prior to crossing that road and his death occurred shortly afterward.
Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials have not made public the cause of Petree’s death but do not suspect any criminal activity as being involved. His body was discovered seated in the driver’s seat with Betty found nearby leaning against a rear tire; neither appeared far from California City homes and authorities believe they simply ran out of fuel.
Petree was an accomplished firefighter for Bakersfield and also enjoyed saltwater fishing with his father-in-law and closest friends. Additionally, he belonged to Jehovah’s Witnesses and served as an elder at Smith Valley Congregation. Among those left behind include Betty; sons Andy and Kevin; daughter Cindy; brother Bobby; sisters Pam Ware and Kathy Dykes as well as several nieces and nephews he will be cremated along with arrangements handled by Bakersfield Chapel of Sacred Heart.
Luke Bell
Luke Bell would sometimes disappear for weeks at a time, leaving his friends worried and searching homeless camps, jails and hospitals for him in a mental health crisis. Yet they never gave up hope knowing that when demons struck he could still turn on a dime to sing beautiful tunes like “Working Man’s Dream” and “Loretta”.
Bell earned comparisons to Waylon Jennings when his 2016 self-titled Thirty Tigers debut was released; as an artist who captured “a lost world of Western country with healthy doses of Bakersfield and vintage Nashville,” per Spotify. Bell played numerous shows throughout the country and opened for acts like Willie Nelson and Dwight Yoakam.
But while he embraced country life, he struggled with mental health issues that included depression and homelessness; these challenges became especially difficult after he stopped taking medication to treat bipolar disorder.
Luke was known for being an authentic voice in an industry filled with cookie cutter pop music. They released a statement thanking all the many people who had helped him along his journey, which began in Tucson where he vanished before being found dead near where they vanished – it is reported by Saving Country Music blog that when they pulled into a restaurant for food he left his friend Matt Kinman’s truck and disappeared altogether.
Wes Freed
Wes Freed, the visual artist whose paintings have graced almost all Drive-By Truckers albums since being diagnosed with colorectal cancer last November. Born and educated in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and attending Virginia Commonwealth University’s art program in Richmond, his paintings reflected rural Southern Gothic music found within their music. He passed away September 4, nine months after first being diagnosed. Freed was only 58.
He first met the band while they were performing at his inaugural Bubbapalooza roots music festival in 1997. He designed their 2001 double LP Southern Rock Opera’s cover art featuring a red-eyed owl flying over flames; posters, T-shirts and backdrops for them; as well as creating their iconic character Cooley Bird which has since become visually associated with them; working on seven additional albums including their recent release Welcome to Club XIII which came out June.
While he had considered moving to New York to further his career, he ultimately chose Richmond and decided that was big enough for him and decided to remain there until his death. Music community and fans have shown their respect with many tributes paying homage to this talented artist – Jason Isbell dedicated his performance of Decoration Day at an upcoming concert to him! Additionally, a GoFundMe campaign has been established in his name in order to assist with medical costs.