Michael Rhodes (musician)

Michael Rhodes (September 16, 1953 – March 4, 2023) was an American bass player, known for his session work and touring in support of other artists, and his collaborations in bands and ensembles.

For other uses, see Michael Rhodes (disambiguation).
Michael Rhodes
Background information
Born(1953-09-16)September 16, 1953
Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedMarch 4, 2023(2023-03-04) (aged 69)
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresRock music
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Bass
Years active1974–2023
Websitemichaelrhodesbass.com

Biography

Rhodes was born in Monroe, Louisiana, and taught himself to play the guitar by age 13 and the bass soon after. In the early 1970s, Rhodes moved to Austin, Texas, where he performed with local bands. Four years later, Rhodes moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he performed with Charlie Rich's son Alan.[1]

In 1977, Rhodes moved to Nashville, and he joined local band The Nerve with Ricky Rector and Danny Rhodes. He worked as a demo musician for Tree Publishing Company, and then as a session player.[2]

Rhodes joined Rodney Crowell, Steuart Smith, Eddie Bayers, and Vince Santoro in the Cicadas.[3] They recorded one album in 1997, but had been playing together for more than a decade.[4] Rhodes was also a member of The Notorious Cherry Bombs, with Crowell, Bayers, Vince Gill, Hank DeVito, and Richard Bennett.[5]

Rhodes has contributed to the recordings of numerous artists, including Neal McCoy, Chely Wright,[6] Pat McLaughlin[7] Doug Stone, Wynonna Judd, Steve Winwood,[8] Larry Carlton,[9] the Dixie Chicks, Reba McEntire, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams, Jr., Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, J.J. Cale, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, and Kenny Chesney.[1][10]

He was an active sideman in recordings and touring of Joe Bonamassa.

Rhodes was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019.

Rhodes died on March 4, 2023, at the age of 69[11] of pancreatic cancer.[12]

Collaborations

Besides session work, Rhodes was a member of several local bands who play frequently in Nashville-area venues:[13]

Awards

In 2016, Rhodes won Bass Player of the Year as awarded by the Academy of Country Music.[21]

Discography

With The Cicadas

With the Vinyl Kings
  • 2002: A Little Trip (self-released)
  • 2005: Time Machine (self-released)[23]

With The Notorious Cherry Bombs

With The Players
  • 2002: The Players (Medallion)
  • 2004: Live in Nashville DVD (Image)

With the World Famous Headliners
  • 2011: The World Famous Headliners (Big Yellow Dog)[24]

1979–1989

1990–1992

1993–1995

1996–1997

1998–1999

2000–2002

2003–2005

2006–2009

2010–2012

2013–2014

2015–2023

References
  1. Ryan Madora (November 13, 2015). "Bass Players To Know: Michael Rhodes". No Treble. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  2. CMHOF Staff (February 12, 2015). "Renowned Bassist Michael Rhodes Named Next Nashville Cat". Country Music Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  3. Rick Petreycik (October 31, 1997). "Cicadas - self-titled". No Depression. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  4. Aarik Danielsen (February 5, 2008). "The Cicadas". Popmatters. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  5. "Eddie Bayers". Modern Drummer. May 1, 2005. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  6. Rick Allen (September 1, 2010). "Chely Wright: Lifted Off the Ground". Vintage Guitar. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  7. "Never Mind The Grammy's, Here's Pat McLaughlin". No Depression. February 12, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  8. Jim Washburn (May 13, 1991). "Steve Winwood Comes Alive at Amphitheatre Concert". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  9. Michael P. Gladstone (February 12, 2004). "Larry Carlton: Sapphire Blue". All About Jazz. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  10. Thomas Semioli (September 25, 2015). "Michael Rhodes". Know Your Bass Player. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  11. "Michael Rhodes, Esteemed Bassist and Nashville Session Musician, Dies at 69". Billboard. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  12. "Supergroup Member and Session Player Michael Rhodes Has Died". Saving Country Music. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  13. Lizza Connor Bowen (October 1, 2009). "Michael Rhodes: Deep Down Cool". Nashville Arts Magazine. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  14. Sarah Skates (November 6, 2009). "Gary Nicholson Celebrates 60 With NSAI Benefit". Music Row. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  15. "Keyboardist John Hobbs to Be Honored as Newest Nashville Cat". Cybergrass. February 17, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  16. "Video of the Day: Michael Rhodes with The Players and Vince Gill: "Don't Try This At Home"". Bass Frontiers. July 19, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  17. Gary Glauber (November 5, 2002). "Vinyl Kings: A Little Trip". Popmatters. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  18. "TAR (Trapp, Abbott, and Rhodes)". Guthrie Trapp. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  19. Brian K. Saunders (February 1, 2016). "Six Strings from Stardom: Guthrie Trapp". Fretboard Journal. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  20. Dan Harr (August 21, 2012). "The World Famous Headliners Release New CD Today". Nashville Music News. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  21. "2016 Studio Recording Awards Winners". Academy of Country Music. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  22. Dan Kening (May 16, 1997). "The Cicadas: The Cicadas (Warner Bros.)". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  23. Jean-Luc Raymond (January 29, 2005). "Vinyl Kings: Time Machine". West Coast Music in France. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
  24. Bob Gottlieb. "The World Famous Headliners". Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
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