WAYNE CARSON,
1943-2015

Nashville lost a good one on Monday with the death of versatile songwriter Wayne Carson. He was 72 and had been suffering from several health problems, including congestive heart failure, The Tennessean reported.

Born Wayne Carson Head in 1943 in Denver, he was the son of professional musicians Odie and Olivia Head (better known by their stage names, Shorty & Sue Thompson), and began learning the guitar at the age of 14 after being inspired by the music of Merle Travis. He'd later adopt his parents' pseudonymous surname as his own, then drop it, using "Wayne Carson" as his stage name.

NARAS chief Neil Portnow paid tribute to Carson in a statement. “Two-time Grammy Award winner Wayne Carson was a true Nashville legend,” Portnow noted. “A highly accomplished songwriter and producer, Wayne penned many significant country hits including ‘The Letter,’ ‘I See the Want To in Your Eyes’ and, of course, ‘Always on My Mind.’ A true ‘musician's musician,’ Wayne was also a gifted percussionist, pianist, guitarist, and bassist. Our music community has lost an immense talent much too soon, and our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and all those who had the privilege and pleasure of working with him.”