Legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble dies at 88
The Tennessean
May 9, 2015
According to family members, Johnny Gimble, one of the greatest fiddlers to ever pick up a bow, died Saturday, just weeks before his 89th birthday.
His career included a stint as a Texas Playboy with the legendary Western swing musician Bob Wills and then gained fame for his backup work with country stars from Merle Haggard to Carrie Underwood. Over his six decades in music, Mr. Gimble also recorded with a number of legends, including Marty Robbins and Chet Atkins, and toured with Willie Nelson.
His daughter, Cyndy, said Gimble died Saturday morning near his home in Dripping Springs, near Austin, "finally rid of the complications from several strokes over the past few years."
Gimble grew up on a farm near Tyler, in East Texas, spent two years with Wills' group beginning in 1949, and later became a much-requested session musician in Nashville performing with country giants such as Haggard, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. He won six Country Music Association awards as best instrumentalist.
He was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship in 1994.
GIMBLE, Johnny (John Gimble)
Born: 5/30/1927, Tyler, Texas, U.S.A.
Died: 5/9/2015, Dripping Springs, Texas, U.S.A.
Johnny Gimble’s western – musician:
Macintosh and T.J. – 1975 (fiddle player)