Bobby Wayde Phillips

Bobby "Wayde" Phillips, born February 7, 1937, passed away this week after a lengthy nursing home stay in Kentucky. His wishes were to be cremated with no service.

Wayde was born into a family where everybody had musical talent in some form or another. It was hereditary. In his youth, Wayde became a guitarist. He learned everything there was to know about guitars. He meticulously took them apart and put them back together and made them as perfect as possible. He also developed a fine singing voice and started a 50's rock and roll band called "BP and his Gems". His sister played piano and sang in the band (pictured). The band played all over the South. Wayde struck out on his own in the late 50's and ended up in New York, then Nashville Tennessee, and then other places. He worked as a studio musician and played with stars such as George Hamilton IV, Tammy Wynette, George Jones ,Freddy Fender ,Dottie West, Jerry Reed and many others. He became somewhat of a "matinee idol" and enjoyed passing out glossy pictures and signing autographs for his excited young fans. He eventually married and started a family, and they settled in Nashville, Tennessee. He began a recording career and cut several singles (a couple of them are pictured).  In later years, he moved to Kentucky . Recently he was in a nursing home in Kentucky and his health was failing him. Then, this week, he quietly passed away. He is preceded in death by one son Charles Lynn Freeland , sister Grace Day, Sister Ann Phillips .Living Brother Bruce Phillips ,Raymond Phillips ,sister Barbara Alligood and Sister Betty .Son Ramey Joe Freeland who lives in North Carolina. Ramey visited Wayde in the nursing home a couple of weeks ago only to find that Wayde was near death in hospice, facing the end of his life. At least his son got to visit him just before Christmas before he passed away. 

Our family is saddened to lose Wayde, and that over the years we had so little time with him, just brief visits here or there. Wayde was on a never ending quest to entertain his audiences, to play his music his way, and to perfect his craft. He lived his life for his music.

All that's left now are a few recordings of his music, some old pictures, and our memories of him. Wayde lived quite a life, and we'll always remember him for his talent, his music, his sense of humor, and his unique persona. 

Now Wayde has gone on to play his last and biggest gig ever, and the Lord above will be his audience.