Burke/Triolo Productions/ThinkStockSongwriter, musician and producer Freddy Powers passed away June 21 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 84. Powers, who was inducted into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006, was a frequent Merle Haggard collaborator, and wrote “Let’s Chase Each Other Around the Room” and “Natural High,” among other songs recorded by Haggard. He also penned George Jones’ chart-topping hit “I Always Get Lucky with You” and produced Willie Nelson’s Somewhere over the Rainbow album. Powers received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International in 2013. His memoir The Spree of 83, is due from Waldorf Publishing in February 2017.
Singer Margo Smith reportedly is in intensive care at Ocala Regional Medical Center in Florida where she is being treated for double pneumonia. Smith charted 27 country singles between 1975 and 1988 including the number-one hits “Don’t Break the Heart that Loves You” and “It Only Hurts for a Little While,” plus six other top-10 hits.
“The Streak” singer Ray Stevens has purchased a $2.85 million home in the Nashville satellite city of Belle Meade, The Tennessean reports. Stevens plans to reside in the property. The two-story, 8,363-square-foot home has 14 rooms, including five bedrooms, five full bathrooms and three half baths and sits on 6.38 acres, the newspaper reports.
Hoping to work for Willie Nelson but missing the musical chops? Nelson’s marijuana company, Willie’s Reserve, has openings for several positions in its Colorado office. Unfortunately, Billboard reports, all of the positions require actual related work experience.
Rascal Flatts will perform their most recent hit, “I Like the Sound of That,” on CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert June 23.
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