Two Of My Favorites Have Passed Away

Everybody remembers the first time they heard a good country song, their first concert, or maybe even their first meeting with a star.

Back when I was very young, I had the opportunity to sing on "The Lynn Toney Show" at WEAR in Pensacola, Florida, accompanied by famed Nashville producer Larry Butler on the piano. Lynn Toney was nothing but a legend here in Pensacola. He passed away last week.

One of the greatest performers from out town was a gentleman named Conner Cagle. He had played with a lot of different touring acts, and I got to know him after he had retired from the road. He also passed away this week. I might add that he played piano for The Four Tops, and I can just imagine him playing the intro to "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch", right now. He also played with the Spinners. Billy Joe Royal once told me that he was one of his favorite piano players from their times together, and Gary Stewart also knew him rather well, as well as my old favorite dj and piano player, Robert Michael Greene.

May both of them rest in peace, and God bless their families in this time of mourning.