Wayne Paden passed last evening in Phoenix

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 12 Apr 2012 8:32 am

If you were at the first 5 or 6 Southwestern Steel Guitar Association meeting Wayne was part of the sound system. He also established our web site and maintained it as long as his health allowed. Wayne had been ill for a few years but this is still a shock.

He was also the leader for many years of "The Bulls Eye Band" here in the Phoenix area.

We will certainly miss Wayne -

This was the email we received regarding Wayne from Pam (his wife)

Wayne Paden passed last evening. He was at home watching TV waiting
for me to return home from work.
He had so many goals...but his body would not allow him to finish.

Memorial services will be held Friday, April 27, 2012; 4-6 p.m.
First Evangelical Lutheran Church
142 North Date Street / First Place (West of Country Club/ north of
Main)
Mesa, AZ 85201

I hope you have some way in letting those that knew him know of his
passing.

He is with God now...

This was the email from Pam - Wayne's wife and biggest fan - if you went to a gig where Wayne was playing Pam was always close to the front.

Joe Naylor

Ray Jenkins · Post by **Ray Jenkins** » 12 Apr 2012 9:32 am

This saddens me,Wayne was a dear freind.I know he had some serious heart problems and couldn't get out as much as he wanted but he never quit trying to help anyone that was intrested in steel guitar,no age limits and no charge.He was instrumental in the growth of SWSGA. His heart problems slowed this down.Only the past three years he had to miss my carport picking jam.
Pam Dixie and I love you and you know you have many freinds to to talk to if needed.
My freind,Wayne rest in eternal peace.
We Indians have a special place in heaven.
Ray and Dixie

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 12 Apr 2012 9:38 am

His tag line was "Asleep at the Steel"

He passed that tag line - strange how you think of things after someone passes - I just keep thinking about spending time with Wayne showing me licks, patterns and more - I had only owned a pedal steel a few months and he was the second guy that took me under his wing and tough me - as he would have "just stuff I have learned"

You are right Ray - Wayne simply loved the steel and wanted to promote it in any way he could.

RIP our friend

Joe Naylor

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 12 Apr 2012 10:10 am

Wayne, "The Man In Black" as I called him surely did love everything about steel guitar.
My most fondest memory of Wayne is, he gave me a brand new BJS bar out at the Carport Picken Jam on year, just out of the goodness of his heart.
Wayne will be sorely missed, May God rest his soul in peace now.

Will Houston · Post by **Will Houston** » 12 Apr 2012 4:25 pm

Sorry to hear this. I went to Waynes's house years ago for a little steel guitar "get together" he was having, met his wife. Remember seeing him doing sound at the conventions and missed him on the Forum the past few years.I always wondered what happened to Wayne now I know. RIP Wayne

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 12 Apr 2012 6:24 pm

Our hearts are saddened by this tragic news. Wayne was a great help to the Southwestern Steel Guitar Association by volunteering so many years to help with the Audio Video portion. He also donated his knowledge and teaching skills to many aspiring players in the great southwest. We will miss Wayne. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pam at this time....RIP Wayne.

Billy and Meriul Easton
Las Vegas, NV

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 13 Apr 2012 6:31 am

I'm sorry to hear of Wayne's passing. I always enjoyed talking with him at the SWSGA's annual show, and I could tell that he was a friend to the steel guitar community. Sad news.
Chuck

Fred Martin · Post by **Fred Martin** » 13 Apr 2012 10:03 am

Sorry to hear about Wayne, I never got to be around him much but I remember he really helped out with the shows in Phx and put a lot of time and effort into the club. Very nice person.

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 13 Apr 2012 12:42 pm

I remember seeing wayne at the shows. Sorry to hear of his death.

Donna

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 13 Apr 2012 6:30 pm

So sorry to hear of Wayne's passing.
Our condolences to his family.
RIP .... Ron

Dennis Beaver · Post by **Dennis Beaver** » 14 Apr 2012 8:33 am

Wayne gave me my first formal steel guitar lesson a few years ago, and I attended several of his past seminars. I was always impressed with his calming and patient method of teaching. He and Pam came to our house in Prescott one afternoon; The Bullseye Band performed at Matt's Saloon on Whiskey Row the night before, and Wayne asserted, "I'm going to get you to slow down your erratic bar movement." When I started "shivering" the bar he would put his palm down on top of my hand...FIRMLY! I think about that moment everytime I find myself over-wavering the bar. You were a great friend and teacher Wayne, and our family and your family at SWSGA will miss you dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Pam...Den & Peg Beaver

Nick Reed · Post by **Nick Reed** » 14 Apr 2012 1:54 pm

I never got to meet Wayne in person, but we had connected several times through the years on this forum and through e-mails. He seemed like a very nice person and I'm sure he was a terrific Steel Guitar player. My condolences to Pam and his family.

Nick

Brian Creamer · Post by **Brian Creamer** » 14 Apr 2012 5:14 pm

Wayne gave me many lessons a couple of years ago.He was a great guy and a good steeler.We will miss you Wayne RIP.My thoughts and prayers are with you Pam.
Adios Amigo.

Ray Harrison · Post by **Ray Harrison** » 16 Apr 2012 7:07 am

So sorry to get this sad news. Wayne did a fine job of playing his instrument and was enjoyable to visit with.
RIP Wayne.

John Rickard · Post by **John Rickard** » 16 Apr 2012 11:29 am

Sorry to hear about Wayne.
Prayers are with Pam.
He will be dearly missed.

David Wright · Post by **David Wright** » 16 Apr 2012 3:57 pm

Sorry to hear this, great guy....all ways looked forward to seeing him in Az . He will be missed....David & Red

Doug Childress · Post by **Doug Childress** » 17 Apr 2012 12:02 pm

Sorry to hear of Wayne's passing. He was one of the first people I met when I attended the initial SWSGA show in Phoenix. May God's grace and peace be with him.

Joe Naylor · Post by **Joe Naylor** » 23 Apr 2012 8:03 am

Yes there will be a steel guitar played at the memoral service.

I have had several calls asking - Pam has arranged for Amazing Grace to be played.

Joe Naylor

Roy Rosetta · Post by **Roy Rosetta** » 23 Apr 2012 9:05 am

Rest In Peace my friend. Wayne was a great guy we're sorry to hear of his passing, but we know that he is with Our Precious Lord now.
..Roy and Barbara

John McClung · Post by **John McClung** » 23 Apr 2012 11:40 pm

Very sad to learn of Wayne's passing. He had a passion for teaching pedal steel to others, and there aren't a ton of dedicated instructors around, losing another teacher is a big loss to our community. RIP, my friend.

Rand Anderson · Post by **Rand Anderson** » 29 Jun 2012 4:21 pm

I have been away from the forum for some time now and only just learned of Wayne's passing today. I am deeply saddened as he was a mentor and a friend to me. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Thanks for everything Wayne, say "Hello" to my dad. God Bless!