Country music world rocked as 2 beloved performers die days apart: ‘Continue to pray’

Alabama Life & CultureCountry music lost a couple of beloved performers this week.By Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comThe country music world was rocked this week by the death of two beloved performers within days of one another.The following is a quick look at the performers lost:Tommy Detamore Detamore was 70.“It is with a broken heart, I share that my husband of 41 years, Tommy Detamore went home to be with the Lord yesterday, Wednesday, August 5, 2026,” Sandra Detamore wrote on Facebook. “Tommy was and will always be remembered as a respected musician, producer, collaborator, mentor, and creative force in Country Music. Not to mention the love of my life. His work has and will always leave a lasting mark in the country music community. His God-given gift for playing and producing music allowed him to lift others up and help share the sound of country music we hear today. Dr. Tom … Sir Punchalot … Drama Papa … The Man … were just a few names people called him. Just recently we were celebrating another project he produced and played on that went platinum.“My son Thomas Detamore and I take comfort in knowing he is at peace and is now with his family and that his music will live on and will be cherished forever,” she continued. “Please continue to pray for me and my family and our Drama Kids Staff as we figure out how to honor my beloved ‘Steelman.’ I want to make sure he is celebrated with family and friends and the community. This way we can all say our goodbyes, since this was so sudden. Lastly Thank you Lord Jesus for allowing me to love and be loved by Tommy. I know where he is and I thank you and one day I too will be with him again in our mansion in the sky. John 14:2.”Detamore was a renowned pedal guitarist, engineer and producer. Saving Country Music noted that Detamore’s contributions “were prolific and spanned multiple decades.” He actually got started while in high school in Charlottesville, Virginia. He then began playing pedal steel while in college in Virginia. Saving Country Music said his big leap came in 1981 when he moved to Texas to play steel guitar for Darrell McCall. The outlet said that a year later, Detamore became the main steel guitar player for Moe Bandy and toured with him for seven years. He also played with Ronnie Milsap, Clay Baker and Johnny Bush. Detamore later opened Cherry Ridge Studio in Floresville, Texas.“Our hearts are with Tommy’s family, friends and fans,” Jim Lauderdale wrote on Facebook. “It’s hard to find the right words now. He will be missed terribly.”Violet HensleyHensley was perhaps country music’s oldest living legend before she died on Aug. 7.She was 109.KY3 in Branson, Missouri, said she was a “Silver Dollar City legend known as the ‘Whittlin’ Fiddler.’”Hensley’s mother passed away when she was young, and her father taught her to play the fiddle and to make them, too. Not only was she a talented player, but her ability to craft the instruments was renowned for more than five decades. And her talent took her places.According to KY3, she appeared on “The Beverly Hillbillies” and even became friends with Irene Ryan, who played “Granny” on the hit show. The station said that Hensley also made appearances on Art Linkletter’s show, “Captain Kangaroo,” “To Tell the Truth,” and “Live with Regis and Kathy Lee.”Her talent even took her to the Grand Ole Opry, earned her a spot in the National Fiddlers’ Hall of Fame and even a spot in the Smithsonian.“8.7.26 dearest family community friends loved ones, the astounding, magnificent personality musician Miss Violet Hensley has gently passed at her home around 2 pm today,” Linda Chris Smith wrote on Facebook. “She was surrounded by her loving wonderful children and grandchildren. “Violet and her family are great people of faith,” Smith added. “This precious soul made an incredible impact on thousands of people. A self-made star taught herself to be a great entertainer. Violet was blessed with lots of wit and charisma. Violet will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband Adrian in Layton Cemetery.”The city of Leslie, Arkansas, also shared a post about her death and called her “a true Arkansas legend.”Silver Dollar City also released a statement following her death.“She wasn’t simply one of America’s most respected fiddle makers and musicians, she was the heart of an Ozarks tradition that connected generations to this special place,” it read. “To know Violet was to experience genuine kindness, quiet humility and unwavering love for others and her deep, deep love for her family. Not only was she an Arkansas treasure, through her wit and talent, she won heart on her national television appearances like the Grand Ole Opry.”Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...