Country Music Loses Two Musicians Too Early

Ryan "Troop" Jones

The world of country music lost two talented musicians this week with the passing of fiddle player Ryan "Troop" Jones of the LoCash Cowboys and Chris Kent, a bass player known for his work with Lorrie Morgan, Wynonna Judd and others.

 Jones' first foray into country music was with artists like Wade Hayes, Brian Comas and Jeff Carson. He joined the LoCash Cowboys in the world-renowned Tootsies Orchid Lounge before he joined the band in 2006 as their full-time fiddle player. Jones was also proficient on guitar and mandolin. He was hospitalized just after the Fourth of July for a life-threatening ulcer before getting pneumonia. It would eventually take his life.

The band had this as an announcement: "Today is a sad day in the Locash World. We lost Ryan “Troop” Jones…our Brother & our Best Friend. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his family. TROOP WILL LIVE FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. -Locash"

Chris Kent

Kent was a versatile and accomplished bass player and much-loved member of the Nashville music community and passed away from cancer at only 44 years old.

Kent was a seasoned veteran of the stage and studio. He performed or recorded with a variety of country, rock, jazz and Christian music acts, including Lorrie Morgan, Toni Braxton, Larry Carlton, Billy Preston, Steve Winwood and Stevie Wonder, to name just a few. He was known for his enormous smile and upbeat personality.