Country music producer and respected steel guitarist Tommy Detamore has died suddenly at the age of 70, his wife announced Thursday.
Sandra Detamore shared the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post, saying her husband of 41 years had died the previous day.
“It is with a broken heart I share that my husband of 41 years, Tommy Detamore, went home to be with the Lord yesterday,” she wrote.
Sandra said her husband would be remembered not only for his talent, but for the lasting impact he made on others throughout his decades in country music.
“Tommy was and will always be remembered as a respected musician, producer, collaborator, mentor, and creative force in country music,” she wrote.
She added that she is now making funeral arrangements so friends, family and members of the music community can properly say goodbye.
“This way we can all say our goodbyes, since this was so sudden,” Sandra said.
Detamore began playing pedal steel guitar in the 1970s and went on to build a long and respected career as both a musician and producer.
In 1991, he founded Cherry Ridge Studio in Floresville, Texas, which became a home base for his work with a wide range of country and roots artists.
Over the years, Detamore worked with major names including Ray Price, Dallas Wayne, Johnny Bush, The Texas Tornadoes, Ronnie Milsap, Raul Malo, Kyle Park and Tony Booth.
His wife said she is finding comfort in the legacy he leaves behind through his music.
“I take comfort in knowing he is at peace and is now with his family and that his music will live on and will be cherished forever,” she wrote.
A cause of death was not immediately announced.