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Michael Rhodes (musician)

{{short description|American bass player (1953–2023)}}

{{Other uses|Michael Rhodes (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| honorific_prefix =

| name = Michael Rhodes

| honorific_suffix =

| image = Michael Rhodes.jpg

| image_upright =

| image_size =

| landscape =

| alt =

| caption =

| native_name =

| native_name_lang =

| birth_name =

| alias =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1953|09|16}}

| birth_place = Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.

| origin =

| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|03|04|1953|09|16}}

| death_place = Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.

| genre = Rock, Country, Pop

| occupation = Musician

| instrument = Bass

| years_active = 1974–2023

| label =

| website = {{URL|michaelrhodesbass.com}}

}}

Michael Rhodes (September 16, 1953 – March 4, 2023) was an American bass player, known for his session work and touring in support of other artists, and his collaborations in bands and ensembles.

Biography

Rhodes was born in Monroe, Louisiana, and taught himself to play the guitar by age 13 and the bass soon after. In the early 1970s, Rhodes moved to Austin, Texas, where he performed with local bands. Four years later, Rhodes moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he performed with Charlie Rich's son Alan.{{cite web |url=http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2015/11/13/bass-players-to-know-michael-rhodes/|title=Bass Players To Know: Michael Rhodes

|work=No Treble|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Ryan Madora|date=November 13, 2015}}

In 1977, Rhodes moved to Nashville, and he joined local band The Nerve with Ricky Rector and Danny Rhodes. He worked as a demo musician for Tree Publishing Company, and then as a session player.{{cite web |url=http://countrymusichalloffame.org/newsandupdates/posts/renowned-bassist-michael-rhodes-named-next-nashville-cat|title=Renowned Bassist Michael Rhodes Named Next Nashville Cat|work=Country Music Hall of Fame|access-date=September 30, 2017

|author=CMHOF Staff|date=February 12, 2015}}

Rhodes joined Rodney Crowell, Steuart Smith, Eddie Bayers, and Vince Santoro in the Cicadas.{{cite web |url=http://nodepression.com/album-review/cicadas-self-titled|title=Cicadas - self-titled|work=No Depression|access-date=October 11, 2017|author=Rick Petreycik|date=October 31, 1997}} They recorded one album in 1997, but had been playing together for more than a decade.{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/the-cicadas-the-cicadas/|title=The Cicadas|work=Popmatters|access-date=October 11, 2017|author=Aarik Danielsen|date=February 5, 2008}} Rhodes was also a member of The Notorious Cherry Bombs, with Crowell, Bayers, Vince Gill, Hank DeVito, and Richard Bennett.{{cite web |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2004/05/eddie-bayers/|title=Eddie Bayers|work=Modern Drummer|access-date=October 11, 2017|date=May 1, 2005}}

Rhodes has contributed to the recordings of numerous artists, including Neal McCoy, Chely Wright,{{cite web |url=http://www.vintageguitar.com/5386/chely-wright/|title=Chely Wright: Lifted Off the Ground|work=Vintage Guitar|access-date=October 13, 2017|author=Rick Allen|date=September 1, 2010}} Pat McLaughlin{{cite web |url=http://nodepression.com/article/never-mind-grammys-heres-pat-mclaughlin|title=Never Mind The Grammy's, Here's Pat McLaughlin|work=No Depression|access-date=October 11, 2017|date=February 12, 2013}} Doug Stone, Wynonna Judd, Steve Winwood,{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-13-ca-1131-story.html|title=Steve Winwood Comes Alive at Amphitheatre Concert|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=October 13, 2017|author=Jim Washburn|date=May 13, 1991}} Larry Carlton,{{cite web |url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/sapphire-blue-larry-carlton-bluebird-review-by-michael-p-gladstone.php?width=412|title=Larry Carlton: Sapphire Blue|work=All About Jazz|access-date=October 13, 2017|author=Michael P. Gladstone|date=February 12, 2004}} the Dixie Chicks, Reba McEntire, Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams, Jr., Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, J.J. Cale, Dolly Parton,Nito Mestre, Randy Travis, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, and Kenny Chesney.{{cite web |url=https://www.knowyourbassplayer.com/bass-players-blog/2015/9/25/michael-rhodes|title=Michael Rhodes|work=Know Your Bass Player|access-date=October 1, 2017|author=Thomas Semioli|date=September 25, 2015}}

He was an active sideman in recordings and touring of Joe Bonamassa.

Rhodes was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2019.

Rhodes died on March 4, 2023, at the age of 69.{{cite news |title=Michael Rhodes, Esteemed Bassist and Nashville Session Musician, Dies at 69 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-rhodes-dead-1235279997/ |access-date=5 March 2023 |publisher=Billboard |date=4 March 2023}}

= Collaborations=

Besides session work, Rhodes was a member of several local bands who play frequently in Nashville-area venues:{{cite web |url=http://nashvillearts.com/2009/10/michael-rhodes-deep-down-cool/|title=Michael Rhodes: Deep Down Cool|work=Nashville Arts Magazine|access-date=September 30, 2017|author=Lizza Connor Bowen|date=October 1, 2009}}

  • The Fortunate Sons, with Gary Nicholson, Kenny Greenberg, Chad Cromwell, and Reese Wynans.{{cite web |url=https://musicrow.com/2009/11/gary-nicholson-celebrates-60-with-nsai-benefit/|title=Gary Nicholson Celebrates 60 With NSAI Benefit|work=Music Row|access-date=October 11, 2017|author=Sarah Skates|date=November 6, 2009}}
  • The Players, with Eddie Bayers (drums), John Hobbs (keyboards), Paul Franklin (steel guitar), and Brent Mason (guitar).{{cite web |url=http://www.cybergrass.com/node/904#sthash.Q0vAOQLT.dpbs|title=Keyboardist John Hobbs to Be Honored as Newest Nashville Cat|work=Cybergrass|access-date=October 11, 2017|date=February 17, 2012}} They often perform with other artists, such as Vince Gill.{{cite web |url=http://www.bassfrontiersmag.com/video-of-the-day-michael-rhodes-with-the-players-and-vince-gill-dont-try-this-at-home|title=Video of the Day: Michael Rhodes with The Players and Vince Gill: "Don't Try This At Home"|work=Bass Frontiers|access-date=October 1, 2017|date=July 19, 2011}}
  • The Vinyl Kings, playing original Beatles style music, with Jim Photoglo, Vince Melamed (keyboards), Larry Byrom (keyboards), Larry Lee (percussion), Josh Leo (guitar), and Harry Stinson (drums).{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/vinylkings-little/|title=Vinyl Kings: A Little Trip|work=Popmatters|access-date=October 11, 2017|author=Gary Glauber|date=November 5, 2002}}
  • TAR (Trapp, Abbott, and Rhodes), a power trio with Guthrie Trapp (guitar), and Pete Abbott (drums).{{cite web |url=http://guthrietrapp.com/tar/|title=TAR (Trapp, Abbott, and Rhodes)|work=Guthrie Trapp|access-date=October 1, 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/six-strings-from-stardom-guthrie-trapp/|title=Six Strings from Stardom: Guthrie Trapp|work=Fretboard Journal|access-date=October 11, 2017|author=Brian K. Saunders|date=February 1, 2016}}
  • The World Famous Headliners, led by Al Anderson, and featuring Shawn Camp, Pat McLaughlin, and Greg Morrow.{{cite web |url=http://www.musicnewsnashville.com/the-world-famous-headliners-release-new-cd-today/|title=The World Famous Headliners Release New CD Today|work=Nashville Music News|access-date=October 13, 2017|author=Dan Harr|date=August 21, 2012}}

=Awards=

In 2016, Rhodes won Bass Player of the Year as awarded by the Academy of Country Music.{{cite web |url=https://www.acmcountry.com/mbi-awards

|title=2016 Studio Recording Awards Winners

|work=Academy of Country Music

|access-date=October 1, 2017}}

Discography

{{div col}}

=With [[The Cicadas]]=

  • 1997: The Cicadas (Warner Bros.){{cite web |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/05/16/the-cicadasthe-cicadas-warner-bros-star-star/|title=The Cicadas: The Cicadas (Warner Bros.)|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=October 11, 2017|author=Dan Kening|date=May 16, 1997}}

=With the Vinyl Kings=

  • 2002: A Little Trip (self-released)
  • 2005: Time Machine (self-released){{cite web |url=http://noted.blogs.com/westcoastmusic/2005/01/vinyl_kings_tim.html|title=Vinyl Kings: Time Machine|work=West Coast Music in France|access-date=October 11, 2017|author=Jean-Luc Raymond|date=January 29, 2005}}

=With [[The Notorious Cherry Bombs]]=

=With The Players=

  • 2002: The Players (Medallion)
  • 2004: Live in Nashville DVD (Image)

= With the World Famous Headliners =

  • 2011: The World Famous Headliners (Big Yellow Dog){{cite web |url=http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p08377.htm|title=The World Famous Headliners

|work=Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange

|access-date=October 13, 2017|author=Bob Gottlieb}}

=Also appears on=

==1979–1989==

==1990–1992==

==1993–1995==

==1996–1997==

==1998–1999==

==2000–2002==

==2003–2005==

==2006–2009==

==2010–2012==

==2013–2014==

==2015–2023==

{{div col end}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|michaelrhodesbass.com}}
  • {{AllMusic | id= michael-rhodes-mn0000888257 | label= Michael Rhodes}}
  • {{discogs artist|255424-Michael-Rhodes|Michael Rhodes}}
  • {{imdb name|0722492}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhodes, Michael}}

Category:1953 births

Category:2023 deaths

Category:Musicians from Monroe, Louisiana

Category:American rock bass guitarists

Category:American male bass guitarists

Category:American session musicians

Category:20th-century American musicians

Category:21st-century American musicians

Category:20th-century American bass guitarists

Category:20th-century American male musicians

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:Deaths from pancreatic cancer in Tennessee