FINAL NOTES We bid farewell to Donald Fritts, Dillard

Donald “Donnie” Fritts, songwriter, actor, and longtime keyboardist for Kris Kristofferson, died Aug. 27, 2019. He was 76, and a life member of the Nashville Musicians Association who joined the local Aug. 18, 1970.

Donald “Donnie” Fritts Nov. 8, 1942 – Aug. 27, 2019

Fritts was born Nov. 8, 1942 in Florence, Alabama, to Huey and Helen Brown Fritts. His father was a building contractor who played guitar and bass in a local swing band on the weekends, and his mother was a homemaker. At 15 Fritts started playing drums, and performed with rock & roll bands in high school. He played with his future cowriter Dan Penn in the band Mark Vs and the Pallbearers. Fritts later became a session keyboard player, first recording in a space above the City Drug Store in Florence. He worked with many locals in the music community including Rick Hall, David Hood, and David Briggs, and cowrote his first hit with Tommy Roe, “Sorry I’m Late, Lisa.”

In 1965 Fritts signed with Raleigh Music, a Nashville publishing company owned by Shelby Singleton. He later wrote for Screen Gems and then EMI. During the decade he wrote or cowrote songs for Dusty Springfield (“Breakfast in Bed”), Arthur Alexander (“Rainbow Road”) and the Box Tops (“Choo Choo Train”). Fritts and his wife moved to Nashville briefly for a few months in 1968 but then returned to Alabama. They moved back to Nashville in 1970 and lived here for 12 years. After his arrival he started working with Kristofferson and became a

writer for Fred Foster’s Combine Music, which also had Kristofferson on its roster.

In addition to playing with Kristofferson, he continued to have writing success, including a Top 40 hit for Waylon Jennings with “We Had It All,” which was also recorded by several other artists including Dolly Parton, Ray Charles, and the Rolling Stones. “You’re Gonna Love Yourself In the Morning” was a Top 40 hit for Roy Clark in 1975. Over his writing career Fritts had cuts by Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Robert Plant, John Prine, and Sheryl Crow.

In 1974 Kristofferson and Jerry Wexler coproduced Fritt’s solo record Prone To Lean. His second album, Everybody’s Got A Song, was released in 1998. One Foot in the Groove followed in 2008, produced by Dan Penn with Ron Laury.

Fellow North Alabaman Jason Isbell commented on Fritts’ passing: “Donnie Fritts was a legend back home, and a guide for many of us when we started writing and making music. I met Prine while working on Donnie’s album, and when I met Kristofferson and Willie all I had to say was ‘I’m a friend of Donnie Fritts.’ Very proud to be able to say that.”

Fritts had roles in a number of films Donnie Fritts and John Prine

including three for Sam Peckinpah: Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia, and Convoy. He also appeared in the 1976 version of A Star Is Born and the 2012 film Jayne Mansfield’s Car. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2008. In addition to his parents, Fritts was preceded in death by one brother, Luther “Wayne” Fritts. Survivors include his wife, Donna Fritts; one aunt, Robbie Fritts Smith; three nephews; and several cousins.

A musical celebration of his life was held Oct. 3 at Norton Auditorium on the campus of the University of North Alabama. Donations can be made to Donnie Fritts Memorial Fund at P.O. Box 3214, Florence, AL 35630.

Richard "Sonny" Curtis

Steel guitarist Richard “Sonny” Curtis, 83, died Oct. 11, 2019. He was a life member of the Nashville Musicians Association who joined Local 257 Jan. 17, 1975.

Curtis was born Oct. 22, 1935 in Chillicothe, Ohio. He said in an interview that he initially didn’t like the sound of the steel guitar, until he saw it played live at local venues. His interest in the instrument continued to grow, and he asked for one of his own for a graduation gift. "I was fascinated by the use of the bar, the fact that the instrument wasn't fretted, and the player's ability to make the proper notes by positioning the bar." The young musician took a few lessons but ultimately taught himself how to play, looking to emulate the “Nashville Sound,” according to his website. "When Bud Isaacs came along with pedals, I really dug that sound," Curtis said. "Then I heard Buddy Emmons and he became my all time idol." He practiced at first without an amp. "I used to wait until everyone went to bed and I would practice in my bedroom. The house was quiet enough for me to hear the guitar sounds. I didn't have anyone to help me so I set up the guitar and put the tuning on it that later turned out to be inverted to the way everyone else plays. Roger Blevins, who then played for Dusty Owens on the Wheeling Jamboree, was the first person to tell me I was playing backwards,” Curtis said.

Curtis played locally at clubs and other venues, where he worked with Bobby Bare and other artists, and eventually came to the attention of George Jones, who hired Curtis in 1964 for his touring band. His first gig with The Jones Boys was performing on an ABC show in New York City featuring Jimmy Dean. Curtis played with Jones and Tammy Wynette when the two artists were married and touring together, and then continued to work with Wynette after her marriage to Jones ended in 1975. During his time with the two legends, Curtis played in all 50 states and 15 foreign countries. Performances included Carnegie Hall and the White House. He had the opportunity to back up many other artists that appeared with Jones and Wynette, including Conway Twitty, Charley Pride, Minnie Pearl, Roy Clark and Jean Shepherd. His work included dozens of television appearances including the Grand Ole Opry, Phil Donahue, Joey Bishop, and 60 Minutes. Curtis played on dozens of Jones’ 1960s records, and released his own album in 2002, titled Reflections. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Stout Curtis.

Daniel P. Pratt April 25, 1940 – Oct. 30, 2019

Daniel P. Pratt

Daniel P. Pratt, 79, died Oct. 30, 2019. He was an accordion player who joined Local 257 Aug. 14, 2000. He was born April 25, 1940, in San Diego, California, to Charlie Warren and Marie Pratt.

Pratt performed locally at the Grand Ole Hatchery, in Dixon, Tennessee. He was a ham radio operator, and a member of the National Association of Amateur Radio. Pratt was also a member of the Camden Church of Christ.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Charlotte. Survivors include one daughter, Tish Barnes; one son, Stan Pratt; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Nov. 5 at Plunk Funeral Home; burial followed in Eastview Cemetery. continued on page 32

Dillard Montgomery (l) with former staffer Rachel Lovett

Jan. 1, 1936 – Sept. 4, 2019

Nashville Musicians Association life member Dillard Montgomery, 83, died Sept. 4, 2019. He was a keyboardist and educator who joined Local 257 July 3, 1972.

Montgomery was born Jan. 1, 1936, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mary Joyce Montgomery. He served in the United States Air Force from 1955-58, and afterwards received his Bachelor of Science degree (1962) and his Master of Arts degree (1968) from Tennessee State University. In 1962 he started teaching and directing band in Nashville Metropolitan schools, where he would work until his retirement in 1974. Montgomery was assistant principal for Washington Bass Middle School, 1984-1993, and principal from 1993-1994. Karen Hester, one of his former students, remarked on his passing.

“I will never forget Mr. Montgomery. I was extremely shy and was put into band class in seventh grade. He had each of us take a test, and once he went through all of them, he called my name. I thought I was in trouble, but he said I was the one who scored the highest on it. He always encouraged me and took the time to make each and every one of us feel special about ourselves. I will never forget him," Hester said.

Montgomery played with The New Imperials beginning in 1962. He was a close friend of the late sax player (and fellow teacher) John Green, with whom he performed for over 40 years. In 1965 he married Joyce Helena Beale.

Montgomery was also choir director at John Wesley United Methodist Church in Nashville beginning in 1958, Dixon Memorial United Methodist Church from 1970-1971, and Braden United Methodist Church from 1985-2002. He also worked as a professional model with the Hurd Agency, beginning in 1999.

Montgomery was a member of the National Education Association, Tennessee Education Association, Metropolitan Nashville Education Association, Tennessee State University Alumni Association (life), and Alpha Phi Alpha (life).

Survivors include his wife, Joyce; and one daughter, Lisa. An Omega service was held Sept. 11 with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Incorporated Tau Lambda Chapter. The service was followed by a celebration of life at John Wesley United Methodist Church with the Reverend Daniel M. Hayes, Sr., officiating.

Dr. Martin Katahn Sept. 25, 1928 – Sept. 17, 2019

Dr. Martin "Dick" Katahn, 90, author of The Rotation Diet, retired Vanderbilt professor emeritus, and 56-year member of the Nashville Musicians Association, died Sept. 17, 2019. He was a violinist who joined Local 257 June 5, 1963.

IN MEMORIAM The officers, staff and members of Local 257 extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of our members who have recently passed away. You are in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.

Name Born Joined Died Life Member

Richard F Curtis 10/22/1935 01/17/1975 10/11/2019 Y

Wade Jackson 04/28/1929 02/06/1967 01/14/2020 Y

Dr. Martin Katahn

Katahn was born Sept. 25, 1928 in Utica, New York, and began performing when he was 12. He enrolled in Julliard after high school — while there he organized the Degan String Quartet, which toured the area for several years. In 1952 Katahn married pianist Enid Miller, and the couple moved to Hartford, Connecticut to teach at Hartt College. Following a move back to Utica to tend to Katahn’s father, he decided to study psychology, and enrolled at Syracuse University, where he earned both a master of arts and doctorate of psychology degree.

He joined Vanderbilt as an assistant psychology professor in 1962; his wife Enid became a faculty member at the Blair School of Music. He still also pursued his musical career, using a rare, 17th century violin made by Nicolo Amati on his frequent session calls. Katahn had traded a Muntz Stradivarius he had purchased in Europe for the Amati, which he said he much preferred. He worked with a number of artists including Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Patsy Cline, Kris Kristofferson, Don Williams, Hank Snow, Ray Stevens, Waylon Jennings, Brenda Lee, and Elvis Presley.

Woodwind player and professor emeritus Johnny Duke commented on Katahn's passing. "When we lost Dick Katahn, we lost not only a great violinist, but a true Renaissance Man. He was creator of some of America's first important diet books in The Rotation Diet and the T- Factor Diet and a nationally-known Chairman of the Department of Psychology at Vanderbilt University.

I met Dick on recording sessions for people like Elvis and Johnny Cash. Having read and tried his diet books, I was in awe of the man from our first meeting. I remember well his sense of humor and friendliness. I also was acquainted with his strikingly beautiful wife, Enid, who was a exceptionally talented piano