NEWS

Joe Vincent, the first steel player in the Nashville bands of both Marty Robbins and Faron Young, died at age 92 in Nashville on April 6. Joe Mack Vincent served in the US Army during the Korean War. Following his music career, he worked at and retired from Baptist Hospital. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Sylvia Webb Vincent, and his son, Joseph Michael Vincent. His funeral was held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home on April 11, followed by burial with military honors in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

NEWS

Ray Pillow (1937-2023)

Herbert Raymond “Ray” Pillow, 85, died March 26 in Nashville. The Lynchburg, Virginia, native was born July 4, 1937, and served in the U.S. Navy. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1966 and performed regularly until formally retiring in 2018. I remember listening to him on the Opry for many years. And I always enjoyed him and Jean Shepard singing “I’ll Take the Dog.” Ray started Sycamore Records and later worked in the Arts and Repertoire department of Capitol Records. He was a presence at the Nashville Palace and helped Randy Travis get started. Ray is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joanne Pillow, and two of his three children, Selena and Daryl Ray. His eldest son, Ronnie “Dale” Pillow, died February 27. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.