George Jones Right Hand Man Ron Gaddis Has Died
If you went to see George Jones for some 25 years, it was difficult to impossible to miss Ron Gaddis on stage with him. One of the most famous “Jones Boys” for the latter half of George Jones’ career, Gaddis was George’s primary backup and harmony singer, duet partner, and bass player, while also being presented as the bandleader for the Jones Boys live throughout the ’80s and ’90s.
Word came down late last week that Ron Gaddis died at the age of 68. He passed on Thursday, August 24th. “He was one of a kind and very talented,” said Georgette Jones. “He loved my Dad and no one could sing with him like Ron did. My heart goes out to his family and friends. He will be missed and remembered always.”
Born Ronnie Eugene Gaddis in Louisville, Kentucky on July 15, 1955, Ron Gaddis wasn’t an original Jones Boy, but came to prominence during the revitalization of George’s career in the ’80s. Not anyone could harmonize with someone that many consider the greatest male singer in the history of country music, but Ron Gaddis could. Gaddis would also sing the famous duet parts to many George Jones classics, including one of his signature songs “No Show Jones” that Jones originally recorded with Merle Haggard.
Many believed that Ron Gaddis was good enough to be a solo performer himself, and he went on to release his own music too. In 1999 Gaddis released the album Chip Off The Old Block. Along with the Vern Gosdin-penned title track that Gaddis recorded as a tribute to George Jones, the album also includes duets with Porter Wagoner, Leon Rausch of the Texas Playboys, as well as the appropriately-titled “I Fell Off The Wagon” with George Jones.
Also appearing on the album was Lorrie Morgan who was married to Ron Gaddis for a time. The country music couple had a daughter together named Morgan. “It’s taken me all day to try and find the words to express how my children, grandchildren and my family’s hearts are broken at the loss of Morgan’s (my daughter) loss of her biological father Ron Gaddis,” Lorrie Morgan said. “Ron and I remained friends all these years after our divorce (most of the time). He had a big heart and a love for country music like no one I had ever known.”
Despite having the talent to launch a solo career, Ron Gaddis stayed loyal to George Jones for a quarter century, though at one point, Ron’s own battles resulted in his own reputation of being a “No Show,” and he was eventually fired from the George Jones outfit as Jones worked toward his own sobriety. Nonetheless, Gaddis remained like a George Jones ambassador for years, telling stories and keeping the memory of George Jones alive after the country legend’s passing in 2013.
Rob Gaddis continued recording as well, all the way up to 2020 when he released a duet with Buddy Jewell called “Grandpas Like Mine.”
A Memorial Visitation for Ron Gaddis will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm with a special tribute at 3pm, at Arch L. Heady and Son Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 8519 Preston Highway, Louisville, Kentucky 40219. Gaddis is survived by his parents, Fred and Eugenia Smith; brothers, Rick Gaddis (Linda), Tony Smith; daughter, Morgan; grandchildren, Preston and Parker.
August 29, 2023 @ 9:49 am
Damn.
I know I’m not the only one who has confused Ron Gadddis with Keith Gattis who also worked with Jones, as well as with Dwight Yoakam andd Kenny Chesney, and had a short solo career of his own–and died in an acciddent earlier this year. (As reportedd on this site.)
https://savingcountrymusic.com/beloved-songwriter-producer-performer-keith-gattis-has-died/
August 29, 2023 @ 10:00 am
Another great singing bassist leaves us. RIP Mr. Gaddis.
September 6, 2023 @ 7:08 am
To sad for words. Gaddis was a great one! Was in his company several times. Miss you Gaddis!
August 29, 2023 @ 10:36 am
Speaking of Mr. Gaddis, my wife and I were watching old TNN reruns one night when a George Jones show came on. They opened with “No Show Jones” and my wife and I both said at the same time “Man that guy can sing.” Had no idea who was at that point other than just a member of George Jones’ band. What a voice though.
August 29, 2023 @ 11:14 am
He is in great form (as well as George) in the 1985 or 86 George Jones Austin City Limits episode.
August 29, 2023 @ 11:47 am
Got to talk to Ron a few times at George Jones concert when he was out selling merchandise he seemed like a really nice guy
August 29, 2023 @ 12:02 pm
I really appreciate this article. I had spent some time in the past trying to research what ever happened to him and could not find much useful information. You can watch him on the George Jones – Live in Tennessee concert special on youtube. Good stuff.
Lorrie Morgan’s comment is not surprising. Is there anyone she hasn’t been married to?
August 29, 2023 @ 12:39 pm
Wow talk about someone who died and then throw in laurie Morgan and her life it’s none of any one business about her life
August 29, 2023 @ 1:06 pm
THE BEST ARTICLE i have read!!! I was close to ron, “like family” you might say. This is pretty much on spot. I have VERY MANY memories with this man and i thought a lot of him “and” family. He was blessed to have such a family…..
August 29, 2023 @ 5:43 pm
Jimmy Reece,
Thanks for posting. Did he continue in music after leaving Jones?
August 29, 2023 @ 1:14 pm
Me.
August 29, 2023 @ 1:15 pm
It seems like he put out a second album after George died titled Country Music Says Goodbye To A King,” not to be confused with the single. This song was the 10th track on the album put out shortly after George died. But I can only find scant info on this album, it’s not eve listed on discogs, and I’d love to know how to get a hold on it if anybody knows. Thanks!
August 29, 2023 @ 2:56 pm
Talk about iconic.
Ron was every bit as notable on that stage as Jones, and that was saying something. And like Patty Loveless, he understood how Jones bent and squeezed notes. When they were singing together, it was a very charged kind of harmony.
As for Lorrie and Morgan — and everyone else who loved him — sorry for your loss.
Someone who understands real country music is a massive hole for music lovers, but for those folks, it’s a piece of their life.
August 29, 2023 @ 4:18 pm
Mr. Gaddis was invaluable in keeping George’s temper in check while on stage. Witnessed one concert where sound system was not working at 100% and George kept looking over to Ron who kept urging him to stay calm.
August 29, 2023 @ 4:34 pm
Aain Trigger, another great tribute to a great undersung legend! Thanks!
August 30, 2023 @ 5:04 am
His solo music was really good too I didnt know about Grandpa song with Jewell. Great song.
August 30, 2023 @ 6:34 am
Ron Gaddis was an awesome onstage harmony partner for George Jones. You would have to clone George to get a voice any closer. As the “front man” for George’s shows Ron did a superb job warming up the audience with the Jones Boys Band before George would hopefully join them onstage. For a time in the early 80’s Lorrie Morgan was part of Jones’ road show. At that time she & Ron were already married. It was due to his encouragement that she had auditioned for that job. Her audition was singing “Near You” with George.
In her autobiography Lorrie related that she first met Ron when he was working in her road band. She quickly “fell for him” and the couple married shortly after she became pregnant with their daughter Morgan. Their volatile relationship ended in divorce although they remained on friendly terms.
Sad that Ron would suffer the same addiction to drugs and alcohol that his idol George Jones did. Another great talent lost way too soon. RIP.
August 30, 2023 @ 9:44 am
Lorrie also stated she was ready to move back in with Ron the same day she went out on her first date with Keith Whitley( to Centennial Park). I always wondered why she accepted the date with Keith in the first place?( If her intention was to try it again with Ron.) Keith adopted Ron’s daughter (Morgan) in 1987.
October 18, 2023 @ 9:54 pm
Gosh, I can’t believe that I just now discovered this.. Ron was such a talent. His harmony to George was as much a signature as Don Rich was to Buck Owens. I met him in the late 80s, in Nashville. Starting on my own musical journey. My cousins are songwriters that were very close with George, who recorded some of their music, did shows together, among other things;) (in “Stand By Your Man” Tammy Wynette’s book, it’s with ,Wild Bill Emerson that George disappears, in North Alabama when he was “No Show Jones”) and id been around George since I was just a kid because of them. Ron was so charming, gregarious, and yes, the ULTIMATE hype man when it came to his idol… Singing together again, my friend.
February 9, 2024 @ 9:56 am
I just played a show in N.C. and one of the female singers did 2 Lorrie Morgan songs. It got me thinking of a time long ago. Googling Ron Gaddis brought me to this news. RIP Ron. He was definitely a talented Vocalist and fun bass player for a drummer to play with.
I got to meet and play drums behind Ron and Lorrie back in 1980 when her and him were traveling around and sitting in with the “House Band”. It was a bar/club called the Fire Place Inn in Grawn, Michigan. I still have a 45 demo record of Lorries (I’m Only Dreaming) and a 8×10 B/W promotional photo. Anyone interested in owning them let me know.