We keep losing the good ones. It is sad to hear of the passing of legendary steel guitarist, Don Helms at the age of 81. Helms had been in failing health and a heart attack took him. He was the last remaining member of the Drifting Cowboys, the band of Hank Williams. Don was the co-owner of the Wil-Helm Agency, a major booking company that he owned with the Wilburn Brothers. In addition to Hank Williams (they played music together as teenagers), Don has worked with Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Loretta Lynn, Webb Pierce, Jim Reeves,  Hank Williams, Jr., Ferlin Husky and nearly every great country singer that graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

He played the steel guitar into on Patsy Cline’s “Walking After Midnight”, Stonewall Jackson’s “Waterloo”, Lefty Frizzell’s “Long Black Veil”, etc.  Don Helms played steel guitar on countless country music recording sessions. Don was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1984. He will be sorely missed. He was one of the true Music Row good guys. He had a great sense of humor as well. In out next E-News, we’ll be reviewing a new album of Hank Williams songs sung by Rustic Records’ DeAnna Cox. It is a wonderful album and I know Don Helms would have given his complete approval to DeAnna and producer Brien Fisher.