posted 09 November 2001 08:43 AM
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From The Tennessean dated 11/9/2001Dobro player Gene Wooten dies of cancer
By CRAIG HAVIGHURST
Staff Writer
With benefit concerts scheduled last night and tonight to defray his medical expenses, Dobro player Gene Wooten, 49, died in Centennial Medical Center early yesterday morning from complications related to lung cancer.
Over a 24-year Nashville career, Mr. Wooten was a steady band member with Opry stars Wilma Lee Cooper and the Osborne Brothers. He shared a Grammy Award in 1994 for an all-star Dobro album.
He played with the Sidemen, the house band at Nashville's famed bluegrass bar The Station Inn, for more than 10 years. He was three times named Dobro player of the year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass in America.
Colleagues recalled him as a musician with a straightforward, melodic style and a generous spirit.
''He was like a teacher for everyone,'' said friend and widely known mandolinist Roland White. ''He was like our guru. He just helped everybody in music. When he stepped up to mike, he was on. But there was no ego ever — ever — and that's hard to find.''
Mr. Wooten was born in Franklinton, N.C., and got serious about playing music while a student at Appalachian State in Boone, N.C. He parlayed summer jobs into a touring band and ultimately moved to Nashville in 1977 when he was hired by Cooper. He played the Opry almost steadily since.
He made one solo album. His most recent high-profile job was on Patty Loveless' celebrated acoustic album, Mountain Soul. He also performed with Loveless at Fan Fair this past summer.
Tonight's benefit at the Old Time Pickin' Parlor, 121 Second Ave. N., will go on as scheduled.
''They're just going to turn it into a celebration of Gene's life,'' friend Pat Jackson said.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete last night but are being handled by Madison Funeral Home, 868-9020.
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posted 07 November 2001 05:05 PM
