Chronicle: Nashville studio musician and session guitarist JT Corenflos passed away Oct. 24 at Vanderbilt Hospital following a battle with lung disease. He was 56. Even before graduating high school, Corenflos worked as a backing musician for Jean Shepard and Joe Stampley and, in 1992, he joined the band Palomino Road, signing with Liberty Records. After leaving the band, Corenflos began working on demos with Kenny Chesney and found work as a session musician, primarily playing electric guitar. Following his death, many artists, songwriters, producers and musicians shared memories of the guitarist, including Luke Bryan. “JT embodied everything country music was and certainly everything that the Nashville sound was about,” says Bryan via Facebook. “He played on countless records of mine and many times turned a good song into something unique and special.” Corenflos was named Guitarist of the Year during the 48th Annual ACM Awards off-camera ceremony in 2013 (CAT 3/22/13). Read coverage of his passing in his hometown newspaper, Terre Haute, IN's Tribune-Star, here.

Singer/songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker – born Ronald Clyde Crosby – died Oct. 23 after a prolonged battle with throat cancer. He was 78. Best known for penning the often-covered “Mr. Bojangles,” Walker left his hometown of Oneonta, NY and landed in Austin, TX in 1971, becoming a staple on the local music scene. His recording of “London Homesick Blues” featuring vocals from his Lost Gonzo Band member Gary P. Nunn served as the Austin City Limits theme song for nearly 30 years. But it was the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's 1970 release of "Mr. Bojangles" that brought Walker his only Top 10 radio hit. The song would go on to be covered by Dolly Parton, Billy Joel, Elton John, Jim Croce, Sammy Davis Jr. and many others. In 1986, Walker formed his own Tried & True Music with wife Susan serving as Pres. and Mgr., and the pair also handled Walker’s bookings. His annual birthday celebration at Austin’s Paramount Theatre and Gruene, TX’s Gruene Hall became well-attended by fellow country performers. Walker was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017 and that same year donated more than 100 boxes of his music archives to The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University.