Country Artists We’ve Lost in 2011: Ralph Mooney

Bakersfield country pioneer Ralph Mooney died in March 2011 at 82-years-old. The steel guitar player was part of Waylon Jennings' band for over 20 years, and was once referred to as the "only steel guitar player" by Jennings. But he was a star prior to that; Beginning in 1966, he was a frequent nominee and occasional winner of the ACM Guitarist of the Year award. He also wrote the chart-topping hit 'Crazy Arms,' first recorded by Ray Price, but then by Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson and Patty Loveless. Mooney continued to perform and record until 2010. His wife, Wanda, said he died of complications that arose from cancer.