Tommy Crain, a former guitarist with the Charlie Daniels Band and one of the writers of The Devil Went Down to Georgia, passed away on Thursday in Franklin, TN. He was 59. It has been reported that he died in his sleep; however, no cause of death has been released.
Crain joined the band in 1975 after his group, Buckeye, played at Daniel's 1974 Volunteer Jam. He not only appeared on over twenty albums but also co-wrote over sixty songs including the band's most famous record on which he can be heard in a guitar/fiddle duel with Daniels and for which he won a Grammy. He left the group in 1990 to help his wife in her equestrian endeavors and was also employed by Rogers Remodeling and Southbound Trains. He also was the leader of Tommy Crain and the Crosstown Allstars of Atlanta.
Daniels wrote on his website "Tommy Crain will always be a part of the CDB family, and his music will always be a part of the CDB sound. We have lost a good friend, and the world has lost a unique, creative and precious human being. We send our deepest condolences to the family of our brother. You were special, buddy. We’re gonna miss you."
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