Country fiddler and top session artist Johnny Gimble dies in Texas at 89

DRIPPING SPRINGS, Texas – Renowned fiddler Johnny Gimble, who gained fame for his backup work with country stars from Merle Haggard to Carrie Underwood, has died.

He was 89.

His daughter, Cyndy, said Gimble died Saturday morning near his home in Dripping Springs, near Austin, “finally rid of the complications from several strokes over the past few years.”

Gimble grew up on a farm near Tyler, in East Texas, spent two years with Wills’ group beginning in 1949, and later became a much-requested session musician in Nashville performing with country giants such as Haggard, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. He won six Country Music Association awards as best instrumentalist.