Where to find country music celebrity graves in Nashville

Johnny Cash's Grave - photo by Jessica Blankenship

Among the sights and sounds of Nashville, there is a different side of life. It is the final resting place that many in country music call home. As fans flock to the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman, or perhaps a trip down on Broadway, many go and pay their respects of music legends that have died. Two notable cemeteries that are now the eternal home of many country music celebrities are Spring Hill Cemetery and Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Since 1785, Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery has been a Nashville landmark. Located at 5110 Gallatin Road at Briley Parkway, the cemetery is home to many notable grave sites. Among those buried include Roy Acuff, Hank Snow, George Morgan, Keith Whitley, Gilbert “Speck” Rhodes, Floyd Cramer, Jimmy Martin, John Hartford, Dean Manuel, Clifton Beverly Briley, Bunny Biggs, Billy Walker, Pete Drake, Louise Scruggs, Johnny Wright, and more.

Woodlawn Memorial Park is located at 660 Thompson Lane in Nashville. Many country music dignitaries are buried here including Eddy Arnold and his wife Sally, Tootsie Bess of the famed Tootsie’s Bar, Owen Bradley, Stoney Cooper, Red Foley, Johnny Paycheck, Webb Pierce, Marty Robbins, Little Jimmy Dickens, Red Sovine, Porter Waggoner, Jerry Reed, J.D. Sumner, and Van Stephenson. Tammy Wynette is also buried in the mausoleum.  Ironically, she was buried as Tammy Wynette, but then her husband replaced it with her non-stage name of Virginia Richardson.  Last year, it was changed back to Tammy Wynette at the request of her family.

One of the interesting stories is that George Jones is buried in the Woodlawn Memorial. A large monument was built to stand at his grave. Not far from his grave is that of Johnny Paycheck. Jones paid for Paycheck’s burial as Paycheck was unable to afford it.

On up the road in Hendersonville, you can visit the resting place of Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Mother Maybelle Carter, Merle Kilgore, Johnny Russell, Luther Perkins, and more at the Hendersonville Memorial Gardens. In Gallatin, you can visit Conway Twitty in the Sumner Memorial Gardens. Be sure to look for Harold Jenkins in the outside mausoleum. Originally known as “The Voice,” Vern Gosdin is located at the Mount Olivet Cemetery in Nashville.

Even in death, many country music celebrities still make an impact in others’ lives as they pay their respects to these legends

Bar owner charged with murder of killing country music singer

Friday afternoon, Chris Ferrell was charged of second-degree murder in Nashville after the death of country music singer Wayne Mills. The Tennessean newspaper reports that Ferrell surrendered himself to police immediately after hearing of the charge. His bond is set at $300,000, but his lawyer, David Raybin, plans to contest the charge.

Chris Ferrell was the owner of the Pit and Barrel in Nashville. On Nov. 23, he shot Wayne Mills over smoking in a non-smoking area. Mills later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Here is our exclusive coverage of the shooting.

According to Nashville Metro Police, "After a thorough evaluation of the crime scene, evidence, statements from witnesses and autopsy findings, lead Detective Leonard Peck and his colleagues at the Central Precinct did not substantiate Ferrell’s claim of self-defense. Detective Peck met with the grand jury this morning to discuss his findings, resulting in the subsequent issuance of the indictment."

Wayne Mills presence both on and off the stage was always one of a true gentleman. Fans will remember his traditional country music sound that would fit in alongside George Jones or Waylon Jennings on the jukebox. He leaves behind his wife, Carol, as well as his young son, Jack.

Services for Wayne Mills will be on Sunday, December 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the auditorium of Arab High School. The memorial service will begin in the auditorium at 1:30 p.m. A private burial will follow. No photography or video cameras are allowed, and cell phones must be turned off and kept out of view.

Nashville songwriter passes away from gunshot wound

Wayne Mills - by Jessica Blankenship

Saturday evening the country music community mourned over the loss of one of its own. Alabama native, Wayne Mills, passed away due to injuries received from being shot by Nashville club owner, Chris Michael Ferrell, on Saturday morning. News of his passing was reported on his band's facebook page.

Wayne Mills was born in Arab, Alabama, and played football for the University of Alabama. He earned a degree in education, but soon picked up a guitar and took to the road playing his own blend of honky tonk tunes. He would open up for the likes of Jamey Johnson, Blackberry Smoke, and others.

Mills would release several records, having success in the United States as well as world wide in Europe and Australia. Several of his singles were released to radio and video channels, including "Last Honky Tonk." He was recently named one of the honorees of the Guardian Award with the Outlaw Music Hall of Fame.

Wayne Mills presence both on and off the stage was always one of a true gentleman. Fans will remember his traditional country music sound that would fit in alongside George Jones or Waylon Jennings on the jukebox. He leaves behind his wife, Carole, as well as his young son, Jack. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time.

A fund has been set up to help with Wayne Mills family. To donate, click here. Furthermore, according to the Wayne Mills Band Facebook, FirstBank has set up a Wayne Mills Family Fund for Carol and Jack. Anyone can donate at area FirstBank branches to help. To view the FirstBank website go to www.firstbankonline.com. When donating, please let the teller know i'm donating to the Wayne Mills Family Fund. For more information please call 615-332-5253.

Here is more information on upcoming benefit and memorial events in Wayne Mills memory.

Funeral arrangements are pending at this time.

Saying goodbye to a music legend, George Jones

George Jones Memorial Ceremony

In this life there are a lot of singers, but there will never be another George Jones. Today, friends and family of the country music legend bid farewell to someone that rightfully earned the title of being a legend. It was ever fitting that his final performance would be on stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

Tanya Tucker opened the ceremonies with The Imperials in singing "Old Rugged Cross." Governor Bill Haslam and Pastor Mike Wilson spoke before Randy Travis sang "Amazing Grace" and the Oak Ridge Boys sang "Farther Along."

One by one, speakers Bob Schieffer, Barbara Mandrell, Mike Huckabee, Kenny Chesney, and Laura Bush spoke about the kindness and spirit of George Jones. Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, Kid Rock, Wynonna, and Brad Paisley sang in tribute.

Two moments stood out in memory of the celebration of George Jones' life. A humbled Vince Gill and Patty Loveless came out on stage and poured their heart into "Go Rest High On That Mountain." Overcome with emotion, Gill tearfully sang through several lines with Loveless comforting him.

After Pastor Mike Wilson recalled several moments with George Jones, Alan Jackson came out onto the Opry stage. The ceremony closed out with the ever-fitting George Jones classic, "He Stopped Loving Her Today."

As loved ones reflect on the times of George Jones, everyone has that special memory of him. He touched our lives, whether it was the music, the stories, or friendship. There will never be another George Jones as we all wonder the same thing he asked, "who's gonna fill their shoes?"

Kentucky songwriter Frank Dycus passes away

Kentucky native and singer songwriter, Frank Dycus, passed away this past Friday at the age of 72. Dycus wrote over 500 songs including George Strait's hits "Unwound" and "Marina del Ray," as well as George Jones "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair."

Born in Hardmoney, Ky., Frank Dycus was one of 13 kids. At the age of 15, he hitchhiked to California, only to return back to Kentucky. He would then enter the Air Force for seven years.

Dycus first hit song was "Lilacs and Fire," which reached to number 17 on the Billboard country singles chart for George Morgan. He would also write Mark Chesnutt's "Gonna Get a Life," Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton's "Is Forever Longer Than Always," Jerry Lee Lewis' "He Can't Fill My Shoes," Ricky Van Shelton's "A Bridge I Didn't Burn," and many more.

Jim Lauderdale wrote several songs with Dycus. In reflecting on Frank Dycus, he told The Tennessean paper, “He was a real hillbilly poet, with a great sensibility and a way with words. He was a wise person and a deep thinker. I’m sure going to miss him, and a lot of other people will, too.”