A public memorial service for Mel Tillis has been set for Jan. 31 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Beginning at 10AM, family, friends and fans will gather at the venue to honor the life and career of the late country legend.
Several artists will pay tribute to the Country Music Hall of Famer during the service through a series of performances of the singer’s most popular music. Ricky Skaggs, Ray Stevens, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Brenda Lee, Alison Krauss with the Street Corner Symphony, Jamey Johnson, Collin Raye, Daryle Singletary, Lorrie Morgan, Ira Dean, Pam Tillis, Sonny Tillis and Carrie April Tillis will take the legendary stage. Tillis’ band, the Statesiders, will accompany select performances.
The memorial is free and open to the public.
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Tillis passed away on Nov. 19, 2017, after a long health battle. He was 85. Tillis’ long career spanned performing, songwriting, movies and television. He wrote hits for Brenda Lee and Ray Price, as well as the Kenny Rogers and the First Edition classic, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town.” He also had hit singles of his own, including “I Ain’t Never,” “Heart Healer,” “Good Woman Blues,” “Coca-Cola Cowboy” and “Southern Rains.”
The CMA named him Entertainer of the Year in 1976, and Tillis was inducted into both the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2012 he received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama.
This Article Was Originally Posted at www.TasteofCountry.com
http://tasteofcountry.com/mel-tillis-public-memorial-service/
