The Music Is a Little Quieter Today: Sad News from Nashville

The local music industry mourns the loss today of Shreveport's own George W. Clinton.  (He was actually from Helena, but worked here for many years.)  George died in Nashville yesterday after a lengthy illness.

Many will remember George from his work at Sound City Recording Studio on Line Avenue.  With his big Buick LeSabre ("The Shark"), parked out front, he worked with many of the best in the business and for years Sound City was the place to be!  George also worked the sound board at The Louisiana Hayride on Saturday nights for a few years.  He had the opportunity to meet and work with many great entertainers there.

Locally George worked with Miki Honneycutt, Tag Graves, Joe Spivy, Dennis Zimmerman, Michael Grady, Eddie Giles, Reuben Bell, Ted Taylor, Geater Davis, Little Johnny Taylor, Shay Holliday, Tommie Young and the African Music Machine. Bobby Patterson ran his Soul Power label there.

Even if they weren't cutting tracks, the local greats would come by to jam, to visit, or just sit in.

In Nashville, George and his business partner at Bayou Recording Studio,  Joe Spivey, worked with such acts as Booker T & The MGs, Isaac Hayes, Alabama, Charley Pride, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, KISS, Martina McBride, KT Oslin, Hank Williams Jr, and many others.

George was a personal friend of mine, though we lost touch through the years, and I had the opportunity to witness his talents behind the mixing board and his gift with people.  He had an easy smile and a gentle manner that drew people to him.

The music is a little quieter today.

Added:  George's obit, from The Tennessean:

CLINTON, George W. Age 68, of Nashville, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at his home. Born in Helena AR, he had lived in Nashville since 1983 where he worked in the music industry. Until earlier this year, he owned and operated Bayou Recording with his business partner and long-time friend, Joe Spivey of Hermitage, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents, George V. "Buck" and Catherine Clinton, and his granddaughter, Chelsea Suzanne Weisz. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Dwayne Weisz-Keller of Nashville; his son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Christine Clinton of Asheville, NC; his sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Jack Russell of Decatur, TX; his granddaughter, Rachel Weisz of Nashville; many cousins, nieces, and nephews; many dear friends; and his canine companion, Daisy. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday, December 1 at 6 p.m. at Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 516 Franklin Rd. in Brentwood, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association .