In Memory of Dave Kirby
Renowned
country music songwriter, guitar session player and singer Dave Kirby passed
away at his Branson, Missouri, residence on Saturday, April 17, after a short
illness. Kirby was diagnosed with cancer on March 20. We would like to express our condolences to
the entire family. We extend our deepest sympathy and prayers to all. Kirby
was born in Brady, Texas, on July 10, 1938. Kirby was influenced by his uncle,
legendary Hank Williams’s front man Big Bill Lister. Lister took Kirby under his wing and
first introduced him to songwriting and guitar playing at the age of eight.
Kirby’s compositions became hits for a host of entertainers including “Wish I
Didn’t Have To Miss You” by Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely, “April’s Fool” and
“You Wouldn’t Know Love” by Ray Price, “What Have You Got Planned Tonight
Diana?” and “Sidewalks of Chicago” for Merle Haggard, “There Ain’t No Good
Chain Gang” for Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, “Memories To Burn” for Gene
Watson, “Where Are You Going Billy Boy?” for Bill Anderson and Mary Lou Turner,
“Leavin’s Been Coming For A Long Long Time” for George Strait and “I’ll Go To A
Stranger” for Johnny Bush. Kirby
married country music entertainer Leona Williams in 1985. The two entertained
together throughout the country while still maintaining a heavy writing
schedule and session work. Survivors include his wife Leona Williams, four sons
Wade and Paul Kirby and Ron and Brady Williams, two daughters Janice Ross and
Kathy Lee and ten grandchildren. Memorials
may be made in honor of Dave Kirby to the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum
at 1701 South Bridge in Brady, Texas, 76825
2004
Artist Line-up
Main
Events
Special
Guest: Buster Doss
Guitar
Pickin' Mama
Leona
Williams
Keith
Thompson
CanJoe
John
Lolene
Ernie
Ashworth
Frank James
Colonel Robert Morris
W.S. Holland
Dalton
Roberts
Joe Rucker
Lowell Shyette
Britni Jean Hendrickson
The
Mateki's
Ben
Adler
Tammy
Cassidy
Bobby
Wynne
Jose
Daniel
FOXX
Margaret
Penn
Joanna
And Julie Allen
Les
Alexander
Angela
White
Karissa
Stepter
Bob
Timmers
Fred
Atkins
Robert
Clarkson
Phil
McGarrah
James
Segrest
Roger
Liles
John
Story
Aaron
Jesy Keys
Harold
Rogers
Milton
Woolridge
Jack
Greene
Candi
Carpenter
Steve
Turnbow