Michael Rhodes, award-winning Hall of Fame bass guitarist, Nashville favorite, dead at 69
Michael Rhodes -- a peerless bass guitarist credited by Kenny Chesney as "[inspiring] us all with his playing and his incredible musical spirit" -- passed away at his home in Nashville, Tennessee, on the morning of Mar. 4, 2023.
The 2019 Musicians Hall of Fame inductee may be best regarded for his work on a series of impactful '90s-era country, pop and rock hits, including both LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood's versions of the Dianne Warren-penned 1997 hit "How Do I Live," Shawn Colvin's 1998 Grammy Record and Song of the Year "Sunny Came Home," plus Lee Ann Womack's 2000-released Country Music Association Single and Academy of Country Music and BMI Awards Song of the Year "I Hope You Dance."
Guitarist and frequent band-mate Kenny Greenberg described his playing as "when [Rhodes] felt free. He loved to improvise, and there was a real lightness to him when he played. He had an intenseness and agility as musician but a real freedom when he played."
Thus, his additional award-winning acclaim -- work on Ashley Cleveland's 1998 Grammy Best Rock Gospel Grammy-winning "You Are There," plus Grammy-nominated albums by Joe Bonamassa (2016's jazzy "Live at the Greek"), Larry Carlton (2010's guitar-driven "Take Your Pick"), Vince Gill (2006's "These Days," a four-disc box set) and in 2004 with the Notorious Cherry Bombs supergroup of Gill, producer Tony Brown, Richard Bennett, Hank DeVito and Country Music Hall of Famer Eddie Bayers -- fit in a broad musical profile.
"Rest in Peace my friend. I can't even get my head around this right now," stated Bonamassa via Twitter.
Moreover, Rhodes achieved being a ten-time Academy of Country Music Bass Player of the Year but also worked alongside other Country Music Hall of Fame members Bobby Braddock and Harlan Howard, plus Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Curly Putnam in the house demo band at Nashville's Tree Publishing -- the last major music publisher owned and operated in Music City (it was sold to the CBS Records Group (now Sony Music) in 1989.
The Monroe, Louisiana-born guitarist's diverse musical roots in western Louisiana and east Texas’ blues-driven, jazz-enabled hybrid led him to Austin during the Outlaw movement's early ‘70s heyday, then to Memphis where his jazz-enabled soul stylings were of benefit to Allan Rich, Charlie Rich’s son, in the middle ‘70s.
As Rhodes' wife Lindsay offers, "He really loved jazz and John Coltrane, all those guys. It fed him, always."
Continued acclaim for Rhodes included playing with a who's who of stellar musicians including Brent Mason, and Paul Franklin, the Fortunate Sons with Gary Nicholson, the World Famous Headliners with NRBQ’s Al Anderson, Shawn Camp, Pat McLaughlin and Greg Morrow, the Vinyl Kings with Jim Photoglo, Vince Melamed, Larry Byrom, Larry Lee, Josh Leo and Harry Stinson and TAR, a power trio with guitarist Guthrie Trapp and drummer Pete Abbott led him to participate in critically-acclaimed and renowned gigs including playing in Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Winwood’s all-star band during his 1988 "Roll With It" Tour, plus frequent work supporting both Rosanne Cash and Rodney Crowell.
His musicianship also afforded him the opportunity to record alongside an impressive who's who of the past four decades of popular mainstream music including Willie Nelson, Etta James, Mark Knopfler, Alan Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Brian Wilson, Joss Stone, Dolly Parton, The Chicks, J.J. Cale, Wynonna, Merle Haggard, Randall Bramlett, Amy Grant, Hank Williams, Jr, the Highwaymen, John Oates, George Strait, Bob Seger, Dave Stewart, Keith Whitley, Joan Baez, Lionel Richie, Burt Bacharach, Aaron Neville, Johnny Cash, Lonny Mack, India.Arie, Buddy Guy, Grace Potter, Billy Joe Shaver, Ruthie Collins, Michael McDonald, Dan Penn, Jennifer Holiday, John Fogerty, Elton John and Joan Osborne.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Rhodes -- handsome and slender -- walked the runway for designer Yohji Yamamoto and appeared in GQ and Paris Vogue.
Michael Rhodes is survived by his wife of more than three decades, Lindsay Fairbanks Rhodes, children Jason Rhodes and Melody (Rhodes) Hillman, plus his grandchildren -- Lindsay’s sons Van and Weston Hayes.
As stated in a press release, the family encourages all who were fans of Rhodes to "really listen to a piece of music that matters to you."
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Music Health Alliance.
Checks may be sent to Music Health Alliance, 2737 Larmon Dr, Nashville, TN, 37204, or donations can be made via their website at MusicHealthAlliance.com. Memorial arrangements will be provided at a future time.
In final, Rhodes is to be remembered best via a statement he once made to an interviewer: "There are teachers everywhere. Keep your eyes and ears open, and you’ll find someone."
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Michael Rhodes, award-winning Hall of Fame bass guitarist, Nashville favorite, dead at 69
