Gary Claxton - Heybale's Lead Singer Dies

[Chris Schlotzhauer]

I'm in shock. I just saw this on Facebook.
No details about the cause of death. My friend Kevin Smith, bass player for Heybale is devistated. I may get more details tonight when I see Kevin.
My thoughts and prayers to the family and band members.

http://www.countrycalifornia.com/rip-gary-claxton/

[Stephen Gambrell]

Too young...

[Bill Terry]

Saw that this AM as well.. too sad, hard to imagine Heybale without his wonderful voice.

http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/ ... sic_source

[Ricky Davis]

Go rest high my friend; you'll always be my brother in Arms.
Ricky

[Dave Zirbel]

I saw it on Facebook this morning as well. I am shocked and sad. Gary was an old pickin' pal of mine from his west coast days. I cut my "honkytonk steel teeth" with him in his Hellbound Honkytonk Band. He was super talented and a good guy. The real deal!!

RIP Gary Wayne Claxton.

[Mike Neer]

This is shocking news. Gary was much too young. What a talented, nice guy. I'm very sad to hear this.

[Tommy Detamore]

Still can't believe it. Glad I got to know him and make music with him. Truly a sad day......

[Billy Wilson]

A really great guy on every level. Were gonna miss you Gary Wayne.

[Marty Muse]

Unreal. So sad. Didn't get to know him very well but feel lucky I got to play with him a few times with Heybale. My heart goes out to Kevin, Redd, Earle, Tom and all of his family and friends. Terrible.

[Randy Gilliam]

Just saw Gary Last month In Bandera, Prayers For his Family. Randy G.

[Joe Goldmark]

Gary was the lead singer in our band "Mental Revenge" here in San Francisco in the mid '90s. We had never heard anyone sing country that well before. He was from Oklahoma and as Dave Z said, he was the real deal.
This was an offshoot band that was really just Jim Campilongo & the 10 Gallon Cats backing up Gary. He was also a real nice guy. We all were shocked. R.I.P. Gary, we love you.

Joe
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17784156/13%20H ... 20Wind.mp3

This is Gary singing a live version of "Hickory Wind" from my album "Seducing The Sixties."

[Billy Wilson]

Great cut!!

[James Allison]

Thanks for posting Hickory Wind. Great version and Gary sounds just the way I want my Hillbilly singers to sound. I remember you introduced me to him at that bar on Folsom (Ace or Ajax) and I was glad to hear he ended up with Earl Poole Ball. Earl was my publisher in Nashville and teamed me up with Joel Sonnier..RIP Gary ......

[Dave Zirbel]

Rollo, that was the Ace Cafe on the same block as the Paradise and around the corner from Slims..........

[James Allison]

Dave...Why bring Rollo Fontaine into this thread? He is not a forumite and doesn't post here. Though there's been a great deal of speculation that Rollo and I are one and the same there is absolutely no truth to that rumor. I am however in 100% agreement with his assessment of the mostly talentless, thin skinned dress-up crowd. I only spoke highly of Gary as did Rollo..Sorry to bring back any bad memories you might have...............

[Dave Zirbel]

Sorry. This thread is to honor Gary.

[James Allison]

Gary was among a handful of hard core country vocalists that I truly admired. It's because of singers like him, Jones, Haggard, Twitty, Buck and others that makes it difficult for me to listen to anything but the best. Once again Rest in Peace Gary, you will be missed...................