GaSGA staff guitarist Johnny Thomas RIP

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 23 Feb 2016 12:13 pm

Yesterday morning, after our show on Sunday (Johnny played great), Johnny suffered a heart attack.

He passed this afternoon.

Here is a picture from Sunday

Bill Cook · Post by **Bill Cook** » 23 Feb 2016 2:00 pm

So sad to hear this bad news! Johnny was a True Southern Gentleman who played all most all of The ASGA Shows! Great Guitarist !! My prayers are sent to Janice and all the Family!

Jeremy Drawbaugh · Post by **Jeremy Drawbaugh** » 23 Feb 2016 5:14 pm

Oh noooooo!!!! Dad just txt me. He played all morning then right before my set he said he needed a break. He played so great. Was always so kind to me!!
My thoughts and prayers to mrs Janice and the family!!!!
RIP JOHNNY!!!!!
Bet him and ole Woody are havin a blast!!!!

Jim R. Harrison · Post by **Jim R. Harrison** » 23 Feb 2016 5:55 pm

A great guitarist; R.I.P., Johnny!

Leon Champion · Post by **Leon Champion** » 23 Feb 2016 6:15 pm

RIP JOHNNY

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 23 Feb 2016 7:01 pm

Rest well my friend. You will always be one of the best.

Charley Hill · Post by **Charley Hill** » 23 Feb 2016 7:21 pm

Played flawlessly at the show on Sunday.

RIP my friend!

Lonnie Portwood · Post by **Lonnie Portwood** » 23 Feb 2016 7:43 pm

So sad to hear this, Johnny was an exceptional player and a truly great man, May God comfort His family. Rest in Peace, Johnny Thomas. Lonnie

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 24 Feb 2016 7:23 am

I'm very glad to have known and enjoyed Johnny's fine playing for so long. Much sympathy to his family and friends. A shock and surprise, but I bet most of us would prefer a good gig to be one of our last experiences. I'm glad he had that!

Raymond Thiebault · Post by **Raymond Thiebault** » 24 Feb 2016 11:05 am

This is such sad news. We always enjoyed Johnny's playing. He was always so cheerful and a pleasure to be around. He will be missed by the music community. Our prayers, thoughts, and sympathy go out to Janice and the family. God bless them and RIP Johnny.
Ray and Claire

Jonathan Cullifer · Post by **Jonathan Cullifer** » 24 Feb 2016 7:48 pm

Johnny was one of the first guitarists I met after starting on the steel guitar 18 years ago...I could not have asked for a nicer friend/mentor. I'll always be grateful for the time we got to share together, onstage and off. Prayers to Janice and the family.

Bill Plemmons · Post by **Bill Plemmons** » 25 Feb 2016 10:06 am

Super picker,all around great person,and good friend. He will be missed.
RIP
Bill & Ginny

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 28 Feb 2016 7:28 am

Johnny was a wonderful man! A gentle giant. God bless Janice and family.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 28 Feb 2016 11:04 am

I met Johnny a few times when I used to go to the Saluda, SC show. He was always such a nice guy. Deepest sympathy to the family and friends. RIP

RC

Mike Johnson · Post by **Mike Johnson** » 29 Feb 2016 9:44 am

We can't stop thinking about Johnny and how different life will be without him. We didn't get to see him very often but it was always such a treat when we did. We enjoyed sharing the stage with him and were always in awe of his playing.
When we first met Johnny, he and Woody were sitting beside one another on the stage at the AL Steel Show. We couldn't believe it!
Rest peacefully Johnny, enjoy pickin' with Woody again and we will see you again. We send our love and prayers to Miss Janice, who holds a very special place in our hearts as well.
Joanie and Mike

james king · Post by **james king** » 29 Feb 2016 12:37 pm

We were shocked to learn of Johnny passing. We have been out of town.My wife and I haven't known Johnny and Janice very long, but we sure like them both. Johnny told me he would play with us at the June Georgia show, but God only knows what a day may hold.We will surely miss him. James and Darlene King.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 29 Feb 2016 2:09 pm

I never met Johnny, but I'm sure that he was a fine person and top notch player. RIP Johnny.

Brett Day · Post by **Brett Day** » 29 Feb 2016 2:26 pm

Johnny was, without a doubt a great man-a great guitarist and great friend. One of my favorite memories of Johnny is when I played my first steel guitar show twelve years ago in Hollonville, Georgia, both Johnny and Woody played guitar for me and Tommy Dodd. Johnny was one of those guitar players who always knew how to play with feeling in every song and also he was an encourager to all the steel players on the shows and to the other musicians in the staff band. RIP Johnny Thomas

Terry Wood · Post by **Terry Wood** » 29 Feb 2016 6:27 pm

Sorry to hear this! I had the pleasure of playing a show one time with Johnny at the Alabama Steel Guitar Hall of Fame Show. It was the year that Julian Tharpe and Don Helms were inducted into The Alabama Steel Guitar Hall of Fame. Johnny was great to work with. He was a very nice guy!

Shorty Smith · Post by **Shorty Smith** » 4 Mar 2016 8:03 pm

Sad to hear this, great musician and person, he will be missed, RIP, Condolence for the family