By Will Vash, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

FORT PIERCE - Gary Stewart, a country singer popular in the 1970s,
was found dead today in his home, police said.

Stewart, a native of Lechter County, Kentucky, was called one of the
most compelling country singers of the 1970s. His honky-tonk songs
include: "Drinkin' Thing," "Out of Hand" and "She's Actin' Single
(I'm Drinkin' Doubles)." In 1975, "She's Actin' Single" hit No. 1 on
the Billboard chart.

Police are investigating, although the death appears to be suicide.

His wife of 43 years died earlier this fall.

[This message was edited by erik on 27 July 2007 at 09:56 AM.]

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  ~ ~
  ©¿©  It don't mean a thang,   
  mm   if it ain't got that twang.
       www.ntsga.com

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Stewart faded away in Florida, quit recording, went back to playing the bars, and little more was heard from him. Then, he popped up clean and sober in late 1988 on the California label HighTone.

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That "Out of Hand" album is fantastic and contans several of his hits. Lots of great steel work (I think by 2 or 3 great steel players including Weldon Myrick). I replaced my vinyl a few years back when it was released on CD. My favorite tune on the album that wasn't a single hit is called "Backsliders Wine"; fantastic steel and I'm 95% sure that's Weldon.

I'm sorry his last days on earth were unhappy enough for it to come to this. May he rest in peace.

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HagFan

[This message was edited by Ron Page on 17 December 2003 at 10:45 AM.]

Local station here has been playing a number of his cuts off the "Live at Billy Bob's" cd he did within the last few years. Not sure who the steeler was on it, but it's some killer playing and big-time in the mix.

danny: unfortunately, the liner notes on the "live at billy bob's" CD do not mention the steeler. it's a must have and contains 15 of his best known songs that were originally recorded in the 1970s.

tom: yes, gary recorded "sweet tater and cisco" for kapp records very early in his career, several years before he became so well known on RCA for "drinkin' thing", et al. there is an LP of that early material out there on kapp, but it sank without a trace and likely will never be on CD, unless someone like bear family gets into the act.

Gary's "Greatest Hits CD is, IMHO, a must have in any steeler's collection, if, for nothing else, Pete Drake's "one-pedal, two-string" intro on "She's Actin' Single".

I'll miss him.

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Gary's "Greatest Hits CD is, IMHO, a must have in any steeler's collection, if, for nothing else, Pete Drake's "one-pedal, two-string" intro on "She's Actin' Single".

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When I first read this I thought I'd have to go home and spin it up... and then it came to me just like that! That is a good one. Always lots of great steel on Gary's hits.

I think the "Out of Hand" album had steel by Pete, Weldon and John Hughey. I'll have to give it a listen to put my finger on what tunes I think John is on... or if he is in fact the 3rd steeler. Anyone else know for sure?

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HagFan

A band I used to be with opened for him at George Jones Possum Holler in York, South Carolina, around 1977. (Sorry to the guy who started the "we opened for" thread). He appeared with just him and backup trio. Lot's of twin guitar and distorted country rockin'. I think he was playing a Les Paul Junior or TV model. It was very impressive, to say the least.

Now I'm wondering how a guy with his reputation could have been married to same woman all those years. I think there was more to him than he let the public see.

"Drinkin' Thing", "Acting Single", all great songs, but when I lived in Texas, "An Empty Glass" was the one that brought the house down.

I know he's gone to a better place, and to be reunited with his wife.

Take care,