Sadly, steel guitarist John Hughey passed away last evening (Nov 18th) in a Hendersonville, TN, hospital, from heart complications. So many of Vince's hits would not have been the same without John's wonderful studio contributions, particularly his solo on "Look At Us". Of course, John toured with Vince for many years, as well.

I had the pleasure of watching John perform in a pickup band on Halloween night of about 2001, at the corner bar next to Tootsie's & The Ryman in downtown Nashville. He was as kind & sweet a man as I'd pictured him to be. I remember tipping the band to play "Look At Us" as I sat just a few feet from John and couldn't believe my luck. He will be missed. Please extend your prayers & thoughts to his family. Thank you.

Thanks for letting us know about John . He surely will be missed . So many have gone this year .

This saddens me terribly. I have met and have talked with John many, many times I have some great photos of him and with him. He was a kind, kind person. GOD love him!

How sad. John was a very sweet and talented man, he will be missed by many.

Oh No!! I am so sad to hear about John...Such great talent. I had the pleasure of meeting him several times.....very nice man.

so sad to hear about john hughey a remarkable talent . he and the timejumpers inspired myself and eight other canadian musicians to form a texas swing band last summer here in niagara falls. we're going along good and loving that great swing music. we'll dedicate this week's performance to the amazing steelman john hughey. mike

Oh man, thanks for letting us know. I'm so sorry to hear about John; he was a very nice man. I know Vince is hurting deeply. John's family and friends will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Such sad news. John was the sweetest man and had such a great bond with Vince, like a second Dad to him. My prayers go out to his family.

Maggie

How sad. John will definitely be missed. The last time I saw him was at the Station Inn with the Time Jumpers back in June. What a treasure, such a talented musician, and very much revered by Vince and the whole music world.

Very sad news.....my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and all his friends that will miss him so much.

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - John Hughey, a steel guitar player who toured for years with country legend Conway Twitty and recorded with Elvis Presley and many other stars, died Sunday. He was 73.

Hughey's publicist confirmed his death. The Tennessean reported that he died of heart complications.

The Elaine, Ark., native was credited with developing a unique style of playing that focused on the instrument's high tones, resulting in a distinctive "crying sound."

He started playing professionally in the early 1950s with a Memphis-based band, Slim Rhodes and The Mother's Best Mountaineers, before playing for about 20 years with Twitty, who was a school mate of Hughey's when his family lived in Horn Lake, Miss.

Hughey later recorded songs with Presley, Loretta Lynn, Marty Stuart, Willie Nelson, Dickey Betts of The Allman Brothers and others. He recorded and toured with Vince Gill for about 12 years.

He still played live regularly with The Time Jumpers, a Western swing band composed of top Nashville session players. A quote from John"I left Conway in 1988 and stayed off the road for about 1 year, and
then I went to work for Loretta Lynn. While I was with Loretta, Vince
Gill's song "When I Call Your Name" started getting hot. Vince decided
to put a band together and offered me a job. I took it, and the rest
is history as far as my career is concerned. The 12 years with Vince
were the "GREATEST."

A more in depth bio: http://groups.google.com/group/alt.obituar...84e202bfae9237d

Thanks Reggie for the information, sorry to hear about John. I went to a few concerts that John played in the band. Whatn na talent. gillgirl IN PA.

Hi Vince fans & Vince fans sorry to hear about john hughey died from vince band .it was a shock.he always did a awesome job with look at us.that's my parents faves wedding ann,songs to. I know Vince & family have a rough time with this and loosing porter .just around the holidays times.you take care carrie ann vince fans always I still believe in you me