Corky Owens R.I.P.

[Nick Reed]

"Corky Owens" passed away Thursday afternoon 01/01/26 (on New Years Day) from a massive heart attack. He was a former Steel Guitarist for Gene Watson's Farewell Party Band". He lived in Owensboro, KY, and filled in for me a time or two when I had to be out of town. Corky was one of this area's finest SG players. Prayers to his family, he will be missed. R.I.P. Corkster !

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[Wayne Brown]

My condolences to his family and friends.

We had the Band over for dinner when Gene and the band had a gig in Calgary in the early 2000s. Corky had always told me that when we met up at the Texas Steel Guitar Convention he was going to show me a (real) Texas Steak. LOL. I told him that he didn't know what a real steak was. (Alberta Beef) So when they came for dinner Corky loved our steak so much he ate 2 1/2 New yorks. Later that night we were at the concert and Gene told me that I was not allowed to feed the band any more when they came back as they were falling asleep on stage
RIP Corky

[David Hartley]

My condolences to his family and friends .
I knew him well from the Rains team in Dallas.

David

[Jason Stillwell]

I was so sorry to hear of Corky's passing. I was working in Paris TX back in 2008, and Gene was performing at the fair that night. I emailed Corky through the Forum, and he called me back and told me to come on out so we could meet up and I could check out his steel rig. When I got there, Gene was greeting fans and friends (Paris is Gene's hometown). I didn't see Corky, so I asked Gene where he was, and someone else chimed in, asking "He is here, ain't he?" Gene's response was pretty classic: "Well, if he ain't at this one, he sure ain't gonna be at the next one!" I soon found Corky, and he was so friendly. He was playing a Rains S-10 and told me I could sit down behind his guitar if I wanted to. I soon learned that "wanting to" wasn't the issue! (I'm about a foot taller than Corky). I sat through sound check and the show, and I was absolutely blown away by Corky's playing. We remained friends on FB after his move to Kentucky and often joked about his road stories with Todd and Staley. Prayers for Corky's family. I know this is a devastating loss for them.

[Tiny Olson]

Boo Miller called me this morning to tell me of Corky's passing. The news was quite a shock..!! I'm sorry to hear that Corky has left us. He was a really great guy and a great player. Very sad news.

I first met him in the early 80s in Longview, TX when he came to see a Gene Watson concert while I played for Gene. Years later I met him again several times when he was playing for Gene and my wife and I went to shows in our general area. Corky played great and had an awesome tone. He was also such a sincere and nice person.

My prayers and deepest sympathies go out for Corky, his wife and family as well as his friends. I pray that The Lord brings peace and comfort to them all.

[Roy Peterman]

So sorry to hear of Corky's passing. I really didn't know him, but I took his place in Joe Stampley's band in 1979 after Corky left Joe's band. I got to hear all sorts of stories about Corky when he played for Joe; all good, many humorous! May Corky rest in peace and his family find peace in their memories of him.

[Larry Dering]

Sad news. My prayers for Corky and his family and friends.

[David Higginbotham]

Really sad learning of Corky's passing. I was fortunate enough to hang out with him a couple times at shows when he was playing with Gene Watson. Couldn't ask for a nicer more humble and talented guy! He spent much time speaking highly of other players and was so generous with his time explaining the licks he played by giving credit to other players he idolized. I don't think he ever realized he was also one of the players that others idolized. Prayers for his family. Rest in peace, Corky.

[Bob Tuttle]

What a shocker. I started Corky out on steel guitar in Tyler, Texas when he was ten years old.
He had a little 6 string lap steel. When I discovered how quickly he learned and how dedicated he
was in learning to play, I talked his parents into buying him a new pedal steel. He went on to become
a great steel player. RIP my dear friend.

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