April 02, 2011
Another sad week for country music
Mel McDaniel, 68, the husky-voiced country music singer-songwriter who had a No. 1 hit with "Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On," died of lung cancer March 31st at his home in Hendersonville.
McDaniel's other hits, most in the early and mid-1980s, included "Louisiana Saturday Night," ''Stand Up," "Big Ole Brew" and "Let It Roll (Let It Rock)."
McDaniel was a regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry beginning in 1986. He also wrote "The Grandest Lady of Them All" for Conway Twitty, which is used as the Opry's theme song on broadcasts from the country music show in Nashville.
He also wrote "Goodbye Marie" for Kenny Rogers and "Roll Your Own," which was recorded by Hoyt Axton, Commander Cody and others.
Born in 1942 in Checotah, Okla., McDaniel sang for oil field workers in Alaska in the 1970s and made a living pumping gas before finding success in Nashville.
Meanwhile , prolific songwriter Harley Allen, 55, who wrote country music hits for Alan Jackson, John Michael Montgomery, Ricky Skaggs and others, died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Brentwood, Tenn.
Allen, the son of bluegrass singer Red Allen, was born in 1956 and reared in Dayton, Ohio. As a teenager, he performed in a bluegrass band with his brothers Greg, Neal and Ronnie while developing his songwriting craft.
Among the songs he wrote or co-wrote were "Between the Devil and Me," which Jackson took to No. 1; "Little Girl," a No. 1 hit for John Michael Montgomery; "I'll Wait for You," which Joe Nichols sang at Anna Nicole Smith's funeral; "Baby," a top 10 hit for Blake Shelton; "Simple Life," for Ricky Skaggs; and "High Sierra," recorded by the trio of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt.
Allen won two Grammy Awards for singing harmonies with the Soggy Bottom Boys on "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow," part of the successful "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" d
soundtrack album.
And death'scertainly came in three's this week:
Canada and the Canadian music community have lost a legend. Terry Sumsion of Harley, Ontario passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the age of 64, following a three-year battle with esophageal cancer.
Terry's name and music are known in Canada and Europe. Playing to sell-out audiences up until early this year, Terry's hearty sense of humor and strong rapport with his friends and fans, new or old always created a relaxed and enjoyable entertainment experience. Terry was best known for hits like "Our Lovin' Place" and "Midnight Invitation".
Over the past year Terry accomplished two major goals that were important in his life - his treasured tour bus and his final CD ("Encore") released just last week.
Terry Sumsion, the songwriter and musician, was a Canadian treasure.
McDaniel's other hits, most in the early and mid-1980s, included "Louisiana Saturday Night," ''Stand Up," "Big Ole Brew" and "Let It Roll (Let It Rock)."
McDaniel was a regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry beginning in 1986. He also wrote "The Grandest Lady of Them All" for Conway Twitty, which is used as the Opry's theme song on broadcasts from the country music show in Nashville.
He also wrote "Goodbye Marie" for Kenny Rogers and "Roll Your Own," which was recorded by Hoyt Axton, Commander Cody and others.
Born in 1942 in Checotah, Okla., McDaniel sang for oil field workers in Alaska in the 1970s and made a living pumping gas before finding success in Nashville.
Meanwhile , prolific songwriter Harley Allen, 55, who wrote country music hits for Alan Jackson, John Michael Montgomery, Ricky Skaggs and others, died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Brentwood, Tenn.
Allen, the son of bluegrass singer Red Allen, was born in 1956 and reared in Dayton, Ohio. As a teenager, he performed in a bluegrass band with his brothers Greg, Neal and Ronnie while developing his songwriting craft.
Among the songs he wrote or co-wrote were "Between the Devil and Me," which Jackson took to No. 1; "Little Girl," a No. 1 hit for John Michael Montgomery; "I'll Wait for You," which Joe Nichols sang at Anna Nicole Smith's funeral; "Baby," a top 10 hit for Blake Shelton; "Simple Life," for Ricky Skaggs; and "High Sierra," recorded by the trio of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt.
Allen won two Grammy Awards for singing harmonies with the Soggy Bottom Boys on "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow," part of the successful "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" d
soundtrack album.
And death'scertainly came in three's this week:
Canada and the Canadian music community have lost a legend. Terry Sumsion of Harley, Ontario passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2011 at the age of 64, following a three-year battle with esophageal cancer.
Terry's name and music are known in Canada and Europe. Playing to sell-out audiences up until early this year, Terry's hearty sense of humor and strong rapport with his friends and fans, new or old always created a relaxed and enjoyable entertainment experience. Terry was best known for hits like "Our Lovin' Place" and "Midnight Invitation".
Over the past year Terry accomplished two major goals that were important in his life - his treasured tour bus and his final CD ("Encore") released just last week.
Terry Sumsion, the songwriter and musician, was a Canadian treasure.
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