Jake Landers performing at The Coondog Cemetery Labor Day Celebration
THE SHOALS-Jake Landers, passed away at 4:30 this morning after an extended illness according to long time friend and fellow Bluegrass musician Scooter Muse. His career spanned five decades. This past Saturday the 8th annual Jake Landers Bluegrass Concert was held at the historic Ritz Theatre in Sheffield.
Jake was born on August 14, 1938 in Lawrence County. Landers got his break in 1960 when Bill Monroe recorded ‘Walk Softly On My Heart’ and ‘Beyond The Gate”. He was one of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys and has played the Grand Ole Opry. ‘Walk Softly On My Heart’ sold 22 million copies and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Landers holds the distinction of Music Achiever at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. He was inducted with the first class into the Alabama Bluegrass Hall of Fame.
Landers was not only a great songwriter/musician he was also a good and gentle man and will be missed.
