The Late Bob Kingsley Celebrated With Nashville Tribute

Bob Kingsley celebrated

Much of MUSIC ROW, and many members of the Country radio community turned out in force today (11/14) for a celebration of life for the late radio legend BOB KINGSLEY. The event, held at the CMA THEATER at the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM in NASHVILLE, was highlighted by performances from GARTH BROOKS, DIERKS BENTLEY and TRISHA YEARWOOD.

BENTLEY performed his current hit, ”Living,” with a full band. YEARWOOD sang an acoustic version of “The Song Remembers When,” and BROOKS closed the show with “The Dance,” then was joined by RADNEY FOSTER to sing “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” Because KINGSLEY was passionate about supporting songwriters, there was also a songwriters round during the event that featured RHETT AKINS, JEFFREY STEELE, BOB DIPIERO and CHRIS DESTEFANO.

One of the show’s most powerful and emotional moments came when prominent Country radio broadcasters BOBBY BONES, CROOK & CHASE (LORRAINE CROOK and CHARLIE CHASE), STORME WARREN, CODY ALAN, BLAIR GARNER, FITZ and LON HELTON lined up in front of the stage and took turns reading lines from one of KINGSLEY’s favorite poems, “The Cowboy’s Prayer.”

Speakers included industry figures RJ CURTIS, HELTON, KEN HALFORD, ROB SIMBECK, CHUCK ALY, SARAH TRAHERN, and KINGSLEY’s wife and business partner, NAN KINGSLEY. The well-produced event also included numerous video tributes and photo montages showing KINGSLEY’s life and career, as well as a video message from RED STEAGALL.

Longtime countdown show host KINGSLEY passed away at his TEXAS home on OCTOBER 17th at age 80 during a battle with bladder cancer (NET NEWS 10/17). He is a member of the COUNTRY RADIO BROADCASTERS HALL OF FAME and THE NATIONAL RADIO HALL OF FAME. During the service, HELTON also encouraged voters to consider his future induction into the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME as well.

« see more Net News