Bluegrass Legend and the oldest member of the Grand Ole Opry passed away. (Source: spotify.com)
A big loss for the Bluegrass world. Recently the news has come on the internet that one of Southwest Virginia’s bluegrass legends, Jesse McReynolds passed away yesterday.
McReynolds was a bluegrass legend who is no longer among his close ones and he took his last breath on June 23. When his demise news went out left many people in shock and pain. His impact will continue to inspire generations of bluegrass musicians.
Now many people are inquisitive to know about Jesse McReynold’s death. Here we have more information about Jesse McReynolds cause of death and obituary.
Jesse Mcreynolds death: What happened to him?
Jesse Mcreynolds’s wife Joy has just told Bluegrass Today that his beloved partner passed peacefully at his bedside at 3:58 p.m. today.
(This morning, Nashville received some very sad news when Joy McReynolds revealed that her husband, Jesse McReynolds, of the Jim & Jesse fame, had entered hospice care.
Although it’s difficult to believe, Jesse has been a full-time bluegrass musician for 70 years. They released their first record as Jim & Jesse in 1952, with his brother Jim serving as their first guitarist.
Five decades of playing and singing on the radio and during live concerts came after, but in 2002, both McReynolds brothers were diagnosed with cancer. Jesse continued to perform for another 20 years, but Jim passed away from cancer.
Jesse was a regular performer at the Grand Ole Opry up until the pandemic shutdowns in 2020. He continued to host one episode of The Virginia Boys until his advanced age made it risky for him to take the chance of getting sick.
Who was Jesse Lester McReynolds?
Bluegrass musician Jesse Lester McReynolds was from the United States. He was most well-known for his novel cross-picking and split-string mandolin playing techniques. Virginia’s Coeburn is where McReynolds was born.
Around 1947, he and his brother Jim start performing together. Initially, they went by the name “The McReynolds Brothers.”
Jesse and Jim recorded ten gospel songs under the moniker “The Virginia Trio” for Kentucky Records in 1951 with the assistance of guitarist Larry Roll.
Jim and Jesse’s Records
Jim and Jesse obtained a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1952, and after being asked to rebrand from the “McReynolds Brothers,” they began making music as “Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys.”
Throughout three sessions in 1952, 1953, and 1955, they recorded 20 songs for Capitol. Jesse also served in the US Army in Korea from 1952 to 1954 (sessions were taped in 1953 while he was on leave).
He and Charlie Louvin of the Louvin Brothers (who was also serving in Korea) created the “Dusty Roads Boys” band while they were serving in Korea, and they frequently performed for other troops.
Jim and Jesse continued to tour and release records after Jesse’s return from Korea up until Jim’s death from cancer in 2002. McReynolds and his wife Joy were wed.
Jesse kept on performing and recording as a solo artist starting in 2002. Every year, McReynolds performed between 60 and 70 shows.
In 1964, Jim and Jesse joined the Grand Ole Opry; Jesse has continued the pair’s Opry membership since Jim’s passing in 2001.
In March 2020, he passed fellow Opry member Jan Howard to become the institution’s longest-surviving member. He marked 55 years as a member of the Opry in 2019.
He made an appearance on the CMT network’s Nashville in January 2017 as a blind singer who serves as an inspiration for Rayna Jaymes, a character portrayed by Connie Britton.
Jesse McReynolds cause of death
One of the few first-generation Bluegrass musicians, Jesse McReynolds contributed to the genre’s development. “The bluegrass community has suffered a significant loss with this. It is impossible to exaggerate Jesse McReynolds’ contribution to and influence the growth of bluegrass music.
McReynolds passed away earlier this afternoon at his home in Nashville with his wife by his side. He was unquestionably one of the most influential mandolinists, vocalists, and songwriters in the history of bluegrass music.
He had been receiving hospice care for the previous two weeks when he passed away at the age of 94 from natural causes. Therefore, Jesse McReynolds cause of death was confirmed as natural causes.
Craig Morris a musician said,
Jesse, along with his late brother Jim, and their band Jim & Jesse & The Virginia Boys, were legendary members of the Grand Ole Opry for many years. Jesse was one of a kind. He will be dearly missed and never replaced. Rest In Peace Jesse McReynolds.
Grand Ole Opry’s official page states,
59 years in our Opry family, countless nights of Bluegrass pickin’,and memories that will last forever. Thank you for everything, Jesse. We love you.
Butch Robins a musician wrote,
Saddened to hear of Jesse McReynolds’ passing yesterday. We had both a friendly and a working relationship back in the 1970s. I always had lots of respect and admiration for him and his music. Sincere condolences to his family.
Obituary
Saying goodbye is often difficult, and it can be hard to find the words to express how you feel about a loved one who has passed.
We are sorry to announce the demise news of a Multi-talented musician and good soul here. Jesse McReynolds was such a Sweet, very professional, and gifted artist who will be fondly remembered by so many.
His duet singing with brother Jim, and unique cross-picking mandolin style, have been emulated by innumerable later-generation musicians. He was a likable, genuine human being as well.
Jesse McReynolds took his final breath on June 23, 2023. Rest in peace, McReynolds. You will be missed but never forgotten. Jesse passed peacefully at his bedside.
He was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest. Funeral arrangements and services will be announced later by his family members and we will update the details soon.
Please leave a tribute or share your memories with Jesse McReynolds in the comment field below to honor his death.
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