Great producer/pianist Barry Beckett is dead at 65. For many of us, some losses hurt more than others and the passing of Barry leaves a great void in our industry and town. Beckett was the complete music man. He was a master of country, soul and pop as both a pianist and/or producer. He was the keyboardist with the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. He was heard on such giant records, “I’ll Take You There” by the Staple Singers, Paul Simon’s “Kodachrome”, and others too many to mention. As a producer, he created Mary MacGregor’s, “Torn Between Two Lovers”, Alabama’s “If I Had You”, Kenny Chesney’s “When I Close My Eyes”, Bob Dylan’s “Slow Train Coming” etc.

The years he spent with Rick Hall and the Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama really made Barry hit the groove with soul and pop music. Barry was the ultimate session keyboard player. You can hear him on hits by Aretha, Wilson Pickett, Bob Seger, Percy Sledge, etc. He moved to Nashville in 1985 for an A&R position with Warner Brothers. He began by producing Hank Williams, Jr.’s “Mind Your Own Business”, “Born To Boogie” and won a CMA award for producing the hit, “There’s A Tear In My Beer.” Go to Google and type in Barry Beckett/Music and you’ll get a look at an outstanding career. Barry certainly will be missed. He was a great contributor, was well respected in the music industry and he was a nice guy with loads of friends.