By now you’ve all had time to discuss the deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Both were icons. The troubled life of Michael Jackson could fill volumes of books. On stage, he was the complete master.

On the same day, good guy musician/writer/artist Tim Krekel dies at his Louisville home. He was 58 and had been suffering with cancer. I have known and liked Tim for many years. When he first came to visit Nashville, he came to see me and we spent a lot of time together. He was really searching for a recording deal. His real strength was writing and guitar playing. He wrote Crystal Gayle’s #1 hit “Turning Away” he also co-wrote “You Can Feel Bad” with Matraca Berg that became a hit for Patty Loveless. Tim & Matraca also wrote Martina McBride’s “Come Around”.

He played lead guitar and toured with Jimmy Buffett for many years. His band, The Sluggers, was very much in demand here in the Southeast. It was a solid rock group. His kind, sweet ways will be missed by all who knew him. Tim was the best. He leaves a wife and four children.