The Song Lives On The Tribute to Ryan Troop Jones
By:Connie Breeden, Sr.Editor
It was a somber sight that greeted the fans of the LoCash Cowboys at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon where they gathered to pay tribute to the band’s fiddle/mandolin/acoustic guitar player. Two spotlights shone down on the spot on the stage where Ryan "Troop" Jones would have stood had he been there that night. He lost his life in October of last year due to a life-threatening ulcer, followed by contracting pneumonia, which led to other complications. All proceeds raised from ‘The Song Lives on — A Tribute to Ryan Jones’ benefits MusiCares.
Anyone who knew Jones, knew he was a huge fan of "Star Wars" so it was a fitting tribute to their dear friend and band mate when none other than Darth Vader took the stage and gave the command to begin. Jones’ nickname “Troop” was born from his love of Star Wars. The tribute went on to honor him when his favorite movie characters, the "Storm Troopers" joined LoCash's Chris Lucas and Preston Brust on stage. They told several
heartwarming and funny stories of the times they shared on the road. They said when it was time to board the bus they knew they would have to go get Jones out of the toy section of the nearest Walmart where he would be looking at Star Wars figurines. It was an endless quest for him.
Performing "Livin It Up", Jones' favorite song, brought tears to the eyes of everyone there as Brust and Lucas pointed to the sky. "Troop is with us all the time, he is our angel. He is here with us tonight" said Lucas. I think he is right, and that just happens to be true for the duo, since the song they wrote with Jaren Johnston, "You Gonna' Fly", became their first number one hit. Keith Urban recorded this tune and took it straight to the top of the charts. It went to, and remained at, the number one spot two weeks in a row, in fact it's number one on all three of the main charts and it's the first time this has happened in over six years, for a country artist..
Other specials guests who came out to honor the life of Jones included Jeffery Steele, Randy Houser, Bruce Brown and Mason Tyler. Houser wowed the audience with an acoustic show of his hit songs "Boots On" and "In God's Time". But the song that struck a chord with me was Steele's poignant rendition of "What Hurts The Most".
The Song Lives On for Troop through his friends, fans and his brothers, the LoCash Cowboys. As the screen flashed pictures of Jones and a verse of LoCash's single "Keep In Mind," I couldn't help but think it was the perfect ending to a perfect evening.
I'm always thinkin of you / Cause when somebody loves you / That's what they do.
http://www.nutsaboutcountry.com/locash-cowboys---you-gonna-fly.html
It was a somber sight that greeted the fans of the LoCash Cowboys at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon where they gathered to pay tribute to the band’s fiddle/mandolin/acoustic guitar player. Two spotlights shone down on the spot on the stage where Ryan "Troop" Jones would have stood had he been there that night. He lost his life in October of last year due to a life-threatening ulcer, followed by contracting pneumonia, which led to other complications. All proceeds raised from ‘The Song Lives on — A Tribute to Ryan Jones’ benefits MusiCares.
Anyone who knew Jones, knew he was a huge fan of "Star Wars" so it was a fitting tribute to their dear friend and band mate when none other than Darth Vader took the stage and gave the command to begin. Jones’ nickname “Troop” was born from his love of Star Wars. The tribute went on to honor him when his favorite movie characters, the "Storm Troopers" joined LoCash's Chris Lucas and Preston Brust on stage. They told several
heartwarming and funny stories of the times they shared on the road. They said when it was time to board the bus they knew they would have to go get Jones out of the toy section of the nearest Walmart where he would be looking at Star Wars figurines. It was an endless quest for him.
Performing "Livin It Up", Jones' favorite song, brought tears to the eyes of everyone there as Brust and Lucas pointed to the sky. "Troop is with us all the time, he is our angel. He is here with us tonight" said Lucas. I think he is right, and that just happens to be true for the duo, since the song they wrote with Jaren Johnston, "You Gonna' Fly", became their first number one hit. Keith Urban recorded this tune and took it straight to the top of the charts. It went to, and remained at, the number one spot two weeks in a row, in fact it's number one on all three of the main charts and it's the first time this has happened in over six years, for a country artist..
Other specials guests who came out to honor the life of Jones included Jeffery Steele, Randy Houser, Bruce Brown and Mason Tyler. Houser wowed the audience with an acoustic show of his hit songs "Boots On" and "In God's Time". But the song that struck a chord with me was Steele's poignant rendition of "What Hurts The Most".
The Song Lives On for Troop through his friends, fans and his brothers, the LoCash Cowboys. As the screen flashed pictures of Jones and a verse of LoCash's single "Keep In Mind," I couldn't help but think it was the perfect ending to a perfect evening.
I'm always thinkin of you / Cause when somebody loves you / That's what they do.
http://www.nutsaboutcountry.com/locash-cowboys---you-gonna-fly.html
