Chronicle: Retired WBCT/Grand Rapids News Dir. Reese Rickards has died. An obituary on the site of Townsquare's crosstown WLHT called him a "legendary radio personality," and noted, "Rickards, along with his on-air partner Neal Dionne, entertained country music fans in West Michigan for more than 20 years." A Facebook tribute from iHeart SVP/Programming Dave Taft says Rickards and Dionne "started" WBCT, and "for 20 some years they set the standard for the rest of us to follow." Taft said of Rickards specifically, "He was serious about his craft, but yet unlike most news people, enjoyed a silliness he could bring to his presentation." No word yet on services.

Nashville songwriter Brett Jones died Feb. 16 at the age of 69. According to his obituary, Jones had more than "300 songs recorded as a writer, 150 major label recordings, 14 Top 10s and seven No. 1 hits ... over the course of three decades. He also recorded several albums as an artist himself." A celebration of life will be held at BMI/Nashville (10 Music Square East) March 2 at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to nonprofit Gold Star Mentors.