Tommy Crain, Longtime Charlie Daniels Band Member, Dies at 59

Tommy Crain, former Charlie Daniels Band guitarist and Grammy Award-winning co-writer of the hit 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia,' died on Thursday, Jan. 13, at age 59. Crain passed away in his Williamson County, Tenn. home, only three days before his 60th birthday.

"Tommy Crain will always be a part of the CDB family, and his music will always be a part of the CDB sound," Daniels says in a statement. "We have lost a good friend, and the world has lost a unique, creative and precious human being. We send our deepest condolences to the family of our brother ... You were special, buddy. We're going to miss you."

Crain, a native of Nashville, was born on Jan. 16, 1951, to Tom and Helen Crain. He began playing piano at age 6, eventually learning guitar and banjo. The musician first joined the Charlie Daniels Band in 1975 and worked with them for 15 years, after which he left to pursue other interests and focus on his family. Most recently, Crain was frontman of the band Tommy Crain and the Crosstown Allstars.

While service details have not yet been announced, donations in tribute to Crain can be made to Nashville's Musicians On Call, located at 1313 21st Ave., Oxford House, Ste. 1002, Nashville, TN 37232.

Watch the Charlie Daniels Band Perform 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia'