Songwriter and Musician Bobby Emmons Has Passed Away
This story has been updated.
Musician, songwriter, and member of The Memphis Boys Bobby Emmons passed away on Monday, February 23rd at a Nashville hospital of an undisclosed illness. Known for writing such iconic songs as the #1 hits by Waylon Jennings “Luckenbach, Texas” and “Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want To Get Over You),” Tanya Tucker’s hit “Love Me Like You Used Too,” “So Much Like My Dad” by George Strait, and many more, he was also a well-respected musician in some of American music’s most important studio and touring bands.
Born Bobby Gene Emmons on February 19, 1943 in Corinth, Mississippi to Elmer and Minnie Emmons, Bobby was a self-taught player who became a professional songwriter and musician in 1959. As a member of Bill Black’s Combo, he toured all around the country playing keys until he joined The Memphis Boys—the iconic studio band for the American Sound Studio in Memphis, TN. Considered one of the top two hit factory studios of the time, The Memphis Boys played on more hit records in a six month period than any other group of studio musicians in history according to Billboard, including scoring hits in four different genres: country, jazz, R&B, and pop. They had 122 hits in all, including many with Elvis.
Emmons also lent his talents to other studios, including Fernwood, Hi Studios, Sun Studios, Phillips International, Sounds of Memphis, Stax, Ardent and Elvis Presley’s “The Jungle Room.” Bobby played on the Willie Nelson albums Always on My Mind, City of New Orleans, Take It to the Limit, WWII (with Waylon Jennings), Pancho and Lefty (with Merle Haggard), the first two records for the supergroup The Highwaymen, and played Hammond B3 in The Highwaymen backing band.
Bobby Emmons received three “Millionaire Awards” and six “Citations of Achievement” from BMI over his career, three Grammy nominations, and was inducted into the Musician’s Hall of Fame through his work with The Memphis Boys.
Bobby Emmons had just turned 72-years-old.
RIP Bobby Emmons.
February 24, 2015 @ 10:33 am
RIP Bobby. 🙁
February 24, 2015 @ 10:54 am
Thanks for the education here Trigger . By anyone’s measure , Bobby Emmons seems to have had a hugely successful life doing the work he loved and leaving his mark as a player and a songwriter. We should all be so blessed . …
February 24, 2015 @ 11:11 am
RIP
Has it ever been confirmed if he was ever in Luckenback, TX?
February 24, 2015 @ 10:00 pm
Oh, I don’t doubt the Bobby was in Luckenbach, Texas–though I don’t think Waylon ever was–at least not until after the song became a hit.
February 24, 2015 @ 12:23 pm
Great informative article, Trigger. I was a younger man, still living in Memphis when I started working for Chips Moman. I am a huge fan of Chips & The Memphis Boys since childhood. From the moment I can remember believing that music would be my career choice, my focus turned to the records that bunch made. I could hear any genre record that came out of American Studio & my fire would be lite. Still happens that way. I want to say that every one of those guys (Chips, Reggie, Both Bobby’s Wood & Emmons, Mike Leech & Gene Chrisman) are not only the greatest of musicians but are Great men. When we started The Highwaymen tours, they made a kid fr/Memphis (that had every reason to be nervous) feel most comfortable. Bobby was a great friend & will be missed by many, but when I remember Bobby Emmons, I can’t help but smile. R.I.P. “My Good Buddy” Emmons
Much Love,
Robby “Big Time” Turner
February 24, 2015 @ 12:26 pm
Sad to hear of Bobby Emmons’ passing, I’ve always been a big fan of his work. Of course anybody that knows anything about country music knows about “Luckenbach, Texas,” but “So Much Like My Dad” is also one of my favorite George Strait songs.
February 24, 2015 @ 1:12 pm
is Bobby related to steel guitar great Buddy Emmons?
February 24, 2015 @ 2:02 pm
Thankyou for this tribute.
and”¦.. There are some very impressive musicians, songwriters/singers, and music business people commenting every once in a while at SCM such as Mr. Turner, above.
February 24, 2015 @ 3:58 pm
Bobby Emmons is a part of our sweet memories going
away. I remember fabulous concerts in Belgium,France and Memphis
I never will forget him. You gave us a lot of joy.Adios.
February 24, 2015 @ 9:16 pm
I read this headline on SCM and I shit you not, Waylon singing Lukenbach comes onto Pandora ten seconds later”¦damn.
February 25, 2015 @ 7:31 am
Rest In Peace, Bobby . I have talked about you, bragging of how I knew you and played music with you. When Ace Cannon pick me up as bass player I was so green that you had to call out the chord changes on stage. Fustrated the heck out of you but we made it through and the band got tight. That was all so long ago. Seldom read the paper but this morning I click on and saw your picture.
My prayers go out for your family and close friends. You made your mark and gave to the world. Well done bobby.
February 25, 2015 @ 7:54 am
He had a blessed life and played on some of my favorite albums/songs. Bobby Emmons will live forever through his musical contributions.