Singer-songwriter Will Owsley dead at age 44
Kevin Bronson on
6
Singer-songwriter and studio whiz Will Owsley, the longtime guitarist in Amy Grant’s band, died Friday of an apparent suicide, the Tennesean reported. He was 44. Services were scheduled for Tuesday in his native Anniston, Ala.
Highly regarded by power-pop aficionados and fellow songwriters, Owsley released two solo albums that were notable for their big melodies and bigger choruses. The first, 1999’s “Owsley,” was released shortly before the label, Giant, succumbed to financial pressures and earned Owsley a Grammy nomination for engineering. The follow-up was a DIY effort titled “The Hard Way.”
I remember the excellent show Owsley did in L.A. in 2004 as part of the annual International Pop Overthrow festival. So does the festival’s promoter David Bash:
“The sudden loss of Will Owsley was a tragedy,” Bash said via e-mail. “He was a great musician and a fine man. I will never forget his performance in July of 2004 at International Pop Overthrow, when he brought his band to Los Angeles all the way from Nashville! He completely enthralled the crowd at Club Lingerie, and left us all wanting more. He will be missed.”
||| Stream: “Good Old Days” [audio:http://www.mediafire.com/file/4zniyqywmd0/Owsley_Good Old Days.mp3]
He was from my hometown of Anniston,Alabama not Anniston, Tenn. he made everyone in Anniston proud.
I knew that. Damn, sorry for the foul-up, now corrected.
I am from Anniston too.His funeral was today.Amy Grant and Vince Gill sang at the servive.It was very touching.
I too was at the funeral. Chris Rodriguez sang Amazing Grace that was …well amazing. Judson Spence sang Jesus Loves You in his own great way and Amy and Vince, though very emotional, sang beautiful tributes to Will. Will’s song, Sentimental Favorite was played halfway through the service. I’m listening to Sentimental Favorite right now. Rock on, Will.
This is so sad. He was an amazing guitarist. Saw him live a few times when he came through San Antonio touring. He had a lot of energy and he loved to play. He had some nice guitar’s also…nice rigs as well.
Just very sad. He must have been in a lot of pain. God bless his wife and children and be at peace Will. Rest in Peace.
This is the first I’m hearing about this. What a shocking tragedy. “Owsley” contained some of the most emotionally transparent, amazingly composed, beautifully done pop music ever, and Sentimental Favorite is one of the most intense ballads of all time, IMHO.
Again, I’m shocked; what else can I say? A truly great musician is no longer with us.