Doc Williams (Born Andrew Smik Jr.)
June 26, 1914 – January 21, 2011
Doc Williams was a pioneering country music singer and band leader who, over a career that spanned nearly 80 years, entertained millions either on the road or over the airwaves of radio powerhouse, WWVA-AM. On clear nights, his voice could be heard across most of the eastern 2/3 of the United States and much of Canada. Williams was in the tenth grade when he dropped out of school to help support his family. He soon launched his music career, forming and band and landing performances on local radio stations. He eventually found himself performing on WWVA’s long running Jamboree program which was later renamed Jamboree USA when it’s broadcast stretched to further points of the country. Doc Williams & His Boder Riders quickly became the most popular act on the program while their traveling show put them in front of fans across the U.S., Canada and even England. Williams met the future Chuckie Williams after she sent him a letter asking if she could come on his show. They soon became singing partners and were married in 1939. Doc Williams retired from music in 2006. He was 96 when he passed away on January 31, 2011.
Thanks to Fred Jasper for the help
John Barry was a prolific composer whose iconic works include eleven of the James Bond film scores. It was Barry’s music in those movies that helped create a mood that defined the character and series. Over a career that stretched across five decades, Barry won numerous awards including five Academy Awards, a Grammy, and a BAFTA, which is the British equivalent of an Oscar. His other film scores include Out of Africa, Born Free, Midnight Cowboy, Dances With Wolves, Chaplin, and Somewhere In Time, to name just a few. Barry also scored numerous television programs. Many of his soundtracks included singles that landed high on both UK and US charts. John Barry was 77 when, on January 30, 2011, he died of a heart attack.
Bruce Jackson was a sound engineer who helped Bruce Springsteen create his storied concert experiences as his concert sound engineer for over ten years. Jackson started with Springsteen during his historic Darkness On The Edge Of Town tour of 1978 and stayed on board through 1987’s Tunnel Of Love Express tour. And if that weren’t impressive enough, Jackson also worked with the likes of 
Sterling Belcher was a music promoter who founded the Festival of The Pines in Rocky Point, Virginia in 1981. A tireless lover of bluegrass music, Belcher brought such acts as Ralph Stanley, Alison Krauss, 
Milton Babbitt was an American composer who helped develop the world’s first synthesizer during the 1950s. Babbitt was just 4 years old when he took up the violin, and within a few years he branched out to the saxophone and clarinet. He was arranging songs by the time he was 7, and winning songwriting contests by 13. In college, Babbitt received honors for his studies in both music and mathematics. After the development of RCA’s Mark II synthesizer, Babbitt devoted his time and energy to making electronic music, often combining synthesizer and conventional instruments. Milton Babbitt passed away on January 29, 2011. He was 94.
Gladys Horton was the founding lead singer of influential Motown girl group, the Marvelettes. Formed in Detroit in 1960, the Marvelettes would go on to have 21 R&B charting hits and 23 to make Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart. Their most popular songs were “Beechwood 4-5789,” “Too Many Fish In The Sea,” and of course, “Please, Mr. Postman,” which was Motown’s first #1 pop hit. They were the blueprint for future hit makers like Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and the Supremes. Horton left the group in 1967 but reunited with the group during the late ’80s. Gladys Horton was 66 when she passed away in a Los Angeles nursing home on January 26, 2011. She had be recuperating from a previous stroke. Co-founding member, 
Charlie Louvin was a longtime country singer and songwriter who became a national treasure singing alongside his brother Ira Louvin as the Louvin Brothers. From 1940 to 1963, the Louvin Brothers created a catalog of country and folk music that ushered in the use of close harmonies to the genres and would be a direct influence on the likes of the Byrds, the Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Alison Krauss, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Starting out as a Gospel group, the Louvin Brothers soon began singing secular songs so they could reach a larger audience. That lead to appearances at the Grand Ole Opry and several charting singles. The duo disbanded in 1963 and then in 1965, Ira was tragically killed in a car accident, so Charlie forged on as a solo artist. In recent years, Louvin’s career experienced a renaissance thanks to recognition from the likes of Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Elvis Costello, and Bright Eyes to name just a few. Outside of tributes, his songs have been recorded by Uncle Tupelo, 
Buddy Charleton was a highly respected steel guitar player who is perhaps best remembered for his days playing in 
Bhimsen Joshi was a respected Indian singer who sang in the Hinduist classical genre. He was revered for his takes on devotional music. Joshi was 19 when he first began performing live, and within a year he released his first album. Over a career that spanned some seven decades, Joshi marveled audiences and critics alike at his concerts due to his remarkable vocal strength and command of his voice as an instrument. In 2008, he received India’s highest civilian honor. Bhimsen Joshi was 88 when he passed away on January 24, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.
The Music's Over 