He gave my music definition," said Gill, for whom Mr. Hughey played steel in the studio and on the road for 12 years. "His introduction to 'Look At Us' makes that song recognizable by what happens before any words even get sung." Gill called one evening and asked Mr. Hughey what he was doing.

"I was just sitting down to my last bowl of ice cream," Mr. Hughey said. Gill replied, "No, I mean professionally."

Soon, Mr. Hughey was in the studio, playing the luminous part on "Look At Us," and then he agreed to become part of Gill's touring band. His 12 years with Gill were in fact like one long, last bowl of ice cream, with Mr. Hughey bringing the sound of significant steel to a broader audience.

"I know it was a real great stretch of life for him, from a respect level," Gill said. "I think he felt like a king because we treated him as such. He was royalty to us." Another top name in Country Music Marty Stuart once heard a familiar steel sound at the Legend's Corner club, and he poked his head in just as a song was ending. He saw Mr. Hughey onstage, and before Stuart could say anything, Mr. Hughey looked at him, grinned and explained, "Because I love it."

For those of you in Nashville, this was in today's Tennessean:

The Time Jumpers, a popular Western swing/classic country group, is dedicating tonight's Station Inn show to John Hughey, a steel guitar player who was an integral part of the group. John died Nov. 18. The cover for the 9 p.m. show is $10, or as much as you would like to give, and the group is giving proceeds to John's family as a gesture of love. "It's just going to be a tribute to John," says fiddler Kenny Sears. "We're going to celebrate his life and music."

Went & saw the Time Jumpers on a Monday at the Station Inn & Vince & some of his band members were there just hanging out, Cool night of fun music.

That is so great reggie....I am glad that you were able to attend the show.