Rumor Mill

JT GRAY, 1946-2021

March 22, 2021

Earl "JT" Gray, owner of the Nashville bluegrass club The Station Inn, who was seen on the Grammy Awards a week ago, died Saturday of pre-existing medical conditions. He was 75.

Earl “JT” Gray, owner of the Nashville bluegrass club The Station Inn, who was seen on the Grammy Awards a week ago, died Saturday of pre-existing medical conditions. He was 75.

The Station Inn posted a statement on its Facebook page that reads: "JT was known for his work in the bluegrass music community as a bluegrass musician and club owner, thoughtfully raising the Station Inn as a home for musicians and fans everywhere... JT’s contributions to bluegrass music cannot be overstated."

Gray took over the Station Inn in 1981, six years after a group of bluegrass musicians founded the club. It has been in its current location since 1978.

Under his stewardship, the Music City mainstay was a base for Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, the Old Crow Medicine Show, Chris Stapleton and Dierks Bentley before they become stars.

Station Inn regulars included Ricky Skaggs, The Time Jumpers, The SteelDrivers, Sturgill Simpson, Molly Tuttle and Billy Strings.

A segment on the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, which aired 3/14, paid tribute to the club and Gray announced the Best Country Album winner, Miranda Lambert.

He was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2020.