Weldon Myrick obit

NOTED MUSICIAN WELDON MYRICK DEAD AT 76

STEEL GUITAR HALL OF FAME MEMBER PLAYED ON ALAN JACKSON'S "CHATTAHOOCHEE" 

He was not on the list.

Weldon Myrick, whose weeping and rollicking steel guitar flourishes graced hits as diverse as Connie Smith's "Once a Day" and Alan Jackson's "Chattahoochee," died Monday (June 2) in Nashville following a stroke. He was 76.

Born April 10, 1938, in Jayton, Texas, Myrick began his love affair with the steel guitar at the age of 8, experimenting with an instrument his older brother left behind when he joined the Air Force. By 13, he had his own steel and was soon good enough to be playing with a band on a local radio station. Before he was out of high school, he was backing Grand Ole Opry stars touring through his part of the state.

After moving to Nashville in 1963, he met Bill Anderson, who had become an Opry member two years earlier. Anderson was sufficiently impressed by Myrick's playing to invite him to join his Po' Folks band. A year after his arrival in Nashville, he was hired to play on Smith's recording of "Once a Day," a song written by Anderson.

From 1966 until 1998, Myrick was a member of the Grand Ole Opry staff band. He also found time to tour with such acts as Smith, Jean Shepard, Billy Walker, Loretta Lynn and others.

As a session musician, he recorded with an astounding array of country and pop artists, including Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, Brenda Lee, Charley Pride, Dolly Parton, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson, the Statler Brothers, Tanya Tucker, Joan Baez, Delbert McClinton, the Pointer Sisters and Cat Stevens.

He also appeared on a number of television series, among them Hee Haw and shows hosted by Johnny Cash, Jimmy Dean, Jim & Jesse and Marty Stuart.

Myrick was elected to the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1997.

Discography as a session player

Browns Sing the Big Ones from Country, The Browns, 1967

Make Mine Country, Charley Pride, 1968

Come from the Shadows, Joan Baez, 1972

Home Free, Dan Fogelberg, 1972

Jesus Was a Capricorn, Kris Kristofferson, 1972

Linda Ronstadt, Linda Ronstadt, 1972

Dennis Linde, Dennis Linde, 1973

Drift Away, Dobie Gray, 1973

Tom Jans, Tom Jans, 1974

Superpickers, Chet Atkins, 1974

Breakaway, Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge , 1974

Tattoo, David Allan Coe, 1977

From a Radio Engine to the Photon Wing, Michael Nesmith, 1977

Family Album, David Allan Coe, 1978

Three on the Trail, Riders in the Sky, 1979

The Champ, Moe Bandy, 1980

Feel the Fire, Reba McEntire, 1980

The Baron, Johnny Cash, 1981

Heart to Heart, Reba McEntire, 1981

One of a Kind, Moe Bandy, 1982

Unlimited, Reba McEntire, 1982

Bobbie Sue, The Oak Ridge Boys, 1982

#8, J.J.Cale, 1983

Somebody's Gonna Love You, Lee Greenwood, 1983

Behind the Scene, Reba McEntire, 1983

Just a Little Love, Reba McEntire, 1984

Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind, George Strait, 1984

Have I Got a Deal for You, Reba McEntire, 1985

Just a Woman, Loretta Lynn, 1985

Paper Roses, Marie Osmond, 1973

In My Little Corner of the World, Marie Osmond, 1974

Who's Sorry Now, Marie Osmond, 1975

Whoever's in New England, Reba McEntire, 1986

Who Was That Stranger, Loretta Lynn, 1988

At This Moment, Neal McCoy, 1990

Here in the Real World, Alan Jackson, 1990

Greatest Hits, Vol. 3, Ronnie Milsap, 1991

You've Got to Stand for Something, Aaron Tippin, 1991

A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love), Alan Jackson, 1992

In This Life, Collin Raye, 1992

Delta Dreamland, Deborah Allen, 1993

Honky Tonk Angels, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Tammy Wynette, 1993

If Only My Heart Had a Voice, Kenny Rogers, 1993