If I were asked to name the greatest voices in country music Vern Gosden’s would be right up there after George Jones. Sadly Gosdin passed away April 28th at a Nashville hospital after suffering a stroke some weeks ago.

For me Gosdin’s songs skirted morbid sentimentality and cut to the bone. There was a sense of reality that propelled by his God given range hit home in ways so many imitators could never achieve.

Today’s country hat gang could serve themselves proud by mining his catalogue and resurrecting some of his momentous work for revival. While they could never achieve the raw feeling he injected into songs like “That Just About Does It” and “Chiseled In Stone” they might find cover worthy gems to keep them in powerboats and beach front property while at the same time keeping the flame of Vern Gosdin alive.

For further information check him out on the Internet and invest in his work. His career was varied and his legacy should not be rendered to obscurity. From his roots in Bluegrass and Country-Rock to the dizzy heights of mainstream country it is no wonder that he was known to friends and fans as “The Voice.” It was a voice that could liquefy the hardest heart.     Back