Jody Payne
Jody Payne (January 11, 1936 – August 10, 2013) was an American country musician and singer. He is best known as a longtime guitarist in Willie Nelson's band, The Family.
Early life[edit]
Payne was born James L. Payne in Garrard County, Kentucky. He and his sister, Imogene Payne (born 1934), sang together when they were five and six years old. He sang and played the mandolin for Imogene's first year graduation and that was the beginning of his music career. His next performance was when he was about 10 or 11, they sang with his father on a radio show on WHIR in Danville.
Personal life[edit]
Payne and country singer Sammi Smith married, but later divorced. They had one son, musician/singer/actor Waylon Payne (born 1972). He and his second wife, Vicki, were married in 1980 and lived in Stapleton, Alabama. They had a son, Austin Payne (born 1981). Payne remained active as a musician until his death. Payne died August 10, 2013, at a hospital from cardiac problems. He was 77.[4]