Paul Thurman Yandell

Paul T. Yandell, C.G.P., who was born in Mayfield, KY on September 6, 1935 passed away quietly at his home in Hendersonville, TN with his family at his side after a long battle with cancer on November 21, 2011. He was a devoted husband and nurturing and loving father who lived his Christian life and treasured his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore B. "Ted" and Imogene Ridings Yandell. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marie Jones Yandell; his son, Paul Micah Yandell and his wife, Sheri Yandell, of Hendersonville, TN; his sister, Yvone Lambert of Boaz, KY; his brother, Forrest Yandell of Kalasin, Thailand; nieces, Susan Butler of Boaz, KY; Betsy (Amos) Sanchez of Murfreesboro, TN, and a nephew, Greg (Christa) Yandell of Hendersonville, TN, as well as 3 great nephews and 1 great niece. He was a member of New Life Baptist Church in Nashville, TN as well as the American Federation of Musicians Local 257, Nashville, TN. Paul was an accomplished player by the time he left high school in Western Kentucky, arriving in Nashville in 1955. Little did he know he would end up playing for the most renowned guitar player in the world. He joined Chet Atkins in 1975 supporting Chet in his career that lasted for 25 years. He started his career with The Louvin Brothers, which lasted until 1959, with Paul playing on many of their greatest hits. After serving in the army, Paul joined the Kitty Wells & Johnny Wright show where he stayed from 1961-1969 after which he worked for about a year with George Hamilton, IV. He then joined Jerry Reed in 1970 and as Paul says he "went to college" learning from Jerry Reed. Paul stayed with Jerry until sometime during 1975. Making his place in Nashville's musical community as a session player, Paul played on many hit records with artists such as Chet, Jerry Reed, Dolly Parton, Steve Wariner, Hank Thompson, Perry Como, Roger Whitaker, Kitty Wells, Johnny Wright, The Louvin Bros., Les Paul, Woody Herman, The Everly Bros. and Mary Chapin Carpenter. He appeared on TV shows such as The Dinah Shore Show, The Tonight Show, The Today Show, The Pat Sajak Show, The Merv Griffin Show and Nashville Now. After Chet died in 2001, Paul released a solo CD entitled "Forever Chet" featuring many songs performed by Chet throughout his career. Other CDs released by Paul included "One More Again" released in 2003; "Dream Train", released May of 2004 which featured many original tunes written by Paul and performed on the New Gretsch "Nashville Classic" that was co-designed by Paul and Fred Gretsch. The artwork for the cover of Dream Train was drawn by Steve Wariner, who is also featured on lap steel on one of the tunes. Following that was "In The Groove" released in 2005 and "Drive On" released in 2006. He was also instrumental in assisting with the reissue of Chet's Gretsch CGP guitar. Merle Atkins Russell and Family presented Paul with the C.G.P. (Certified Guitar Player) designation on August 11, 2011. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hendersonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 353 East Main St., Hendersonville, TN 37075 on Friday, November 25, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. Visitation with family will precede the service from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Steve Wariner, Eddie Stubbs & Fred Gretsch will deliver eulogies and Rev. Raymond Langlois will deliver the message. Friends and musicians in attendance will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to his caregivers with Alive Hospice and to also thank Dr. Matthew J. Beuter, Dr. Robert Faber, Dr. Michael G. Carlson, Dr. Anthony Greco, Dr. John Roberts, Dr. Timothy P. Schoettle, Dr. Robert McRae and the staff at Centennial Hospital for their extraordinary care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alive Hospice, 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203 or the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum Chet Atkins Exhibition, 222 Fifth Avenue, South, Nashville, TN. 37203 or a charity of your choice. Graveside services and burial will be held at Clark's River Baptist Church Cemetery in Symsonia, Ky on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Bro. Bruce E. Watts and Bro. Jim Boyd of Clark's River Baptist Church participating in the service. Pallbearers for the burial service will be Eddie Pennington, Paul Moseley, Gayle Moseley, Joe Hudson, Robbie Jones, Ralph Mitchell, Russell Egner, Freddie Russell, James Merrick, Carlos Dale Crooks, Steve Wariner, Mark Thornton & Britt Stewart, Lois & Ricky Hutson.HENDERSONVILLE FUNERAL HOME 353 Johnny Cash Pkwy Hendersonville, TN 37075 (615) 824-3855 hendersonvillefh.com