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Kenny Chesney Mourns The Loss Of Musician Friend

Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group

Kenny Chesney took to his Instagram to express his sorrow over the death of a prominent Nashville session bass player named Michael Rhodes, who was 69 and died of pancreatic cancer.

Kenny posted a photo of his friend and wrote, “Michael Rhodes played on my first album ever. And then several after that. I am so thankful Michael and I made music together and then gave it to the world to hear. I have so much gratitude for that. He taught me a lot about making records and was such a big part in creating my sound.”

Chesney added, “He was simply one of the best bass players/human beings I have ever worked with, and he will be missed. If you are listening to one of your favorite songs on the radio tonight… Odds are Michael played on it. Rest in peace, and thank you, my friend.”

Many fans reacted to Kenny’s post, including one who wrote, “Sorry for your loss I know he was part of your family, and may he rest in peace.” Another fan commented, “My prayers are with your loss of a friend is never easy. Reflect on the music that you made together.”

Rhodes played bass for Wynonna, Steve Winwood, Reba, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams, Jr., Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, and Chesney. He was an active sideman for blues artist Joe Bonamassa, playing on his records and in his touring band. Rhodes was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019.

RELATED: Kenny Chesney Thanks Fans For an 'Amazing' Year

 

Country Music's Top Five Bromances Over The Years

  • 5 - Darius Rucker and Lady A's Charles Kelley

    Darius makes friends with many people in the entertainment industry. He once told us while we were discussing his friendship with the Duck Dynasty reality show guys that when he likes someone and their work, he reaches out to start a friendship whenever he can. Darius and Charles have been buddies since Rucker started touring with Lady A toward the beginning of his country music career back in 2011 on Lady A’s “Own The Night” tour.

  • 4 - Dierks Bentley and Thomas Rhett

    These guys have been buddies for a while now and live close to each other in the Nashville area. Once while Thomas was waiting in a grocery store line and realized he didn’t have any money, Dierks happened to be behind him in line and loaned him the cash for his purchase. Rhett also had some fun playing part of Bentley’s parody band Hot Country Knights.

  • 3 - Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw

    Kenny and Tim’s friendship goes way back to when the guys first came to Nashville in the early 1990s. The guys have retained their 30-year friendship over the years and even did a duet together called “Like A Rock Star” in 2012.

  • 2 - Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton

    These two superstars recently made another Top 5 list for getting mistaken for each other at times when out in public. Blake and Luke trade fun jabs and even hosted the ACM Awards in 2013. Despite people occasionally saying they don’t like each other, they are good friends.

  • 1 - Kane Brown and Chris Young

    Kane and Chris have been friends since Brown was first signed to Young’s RCA label in 2105. While they supported each other from that fateful day, it wasn’t until Young’s “Famous Friends” duet with Kane in 2021 became such a big hit and award nominee that their friendship became well-known.

 

Nancy Brooks has been working in the country music industry for almost 30 years. She has interviewed pretty much any country star you can think of. In the late 1990s, she started working with Dolly Parton. And yes, Nancy reports that Parton is as sweet as you would think. She loves her life in country music and has been backstage at every CMA Awards show since the late 1990s. Many of her stories are from her one-on-one interviews. She was there at the beginning of the incredible careers of many music superstars today, including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton, and has interviewed them multiple times throughout the years.

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Author Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media Group
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