Jimmy Nichols, Session Player Who Worked With Reba McEntire + More, Dead at 64

Jimmy Nichols — a session player and musical director who worked with Nashville greats like Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill — died in his sleep on July 10, according to a statement from his wife Tonya. He was 64 years old.

“He so loved making music with his Nashville family,” she wrote on his Facebook page. “I don’t have any words right now.”

Dozens more chimed in on social media to share memories of Nichols and his legendary career in country music, which also included work with Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Mindy McCready and Elton John, among many others.

Remembering Jimmy Nichols

Jimmy Nichols was raised in Columbus, Ohio, and learned to play piano on his father’s instrument when he was 9 years old. Music was a common family trait: He spent two-and-a-half decades touring with the Nichols Brothers, alongside three out of his seven siblings.

He moved to Nashville in the ’90s, where he began working as a keyboardist for acts like Daryle Singletary and Mindy McCready. He also worked as McCready’s producer and they had a close professional relationship; Nichols spoke at her memorial after her death in 2013.

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Nichols toured with several of country’s biggest stars and also worked with some artists outside the genre, including Gladys Knight and Elton John. Though his biggest success was as a backing musician, he never lost a headliner’s sensibility due to the years he’d spent on tour with his family band.

“Touring was always in my blood,” he told Yamaha All Access in 2012. “I always consider myself an entertainer because of all those years I spent with the Brothers. When I get onstage, I hold nothing back. As a keyboard player, I try to be as entertaining and visual as I can.”

Jimmy Nichols Hit a Big Career Milestone Just Weeks Before His Death

Nicols was inducted into the Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame this summer, just two weeks before he died. Bass player Larry Paxton was inducted at the same time.

On social media, Nichols thanked his family for their support of his musical career, and noted that his mother and father “called me the quiet one when I was young.”

“I’m not as quiet anymore, but there’s still a lot of music in me,” he reflected. “Thank you Lord Jesus for this incredible blessing and thank you all for the wonderful thoughts.”

Jimmy Nichols’ Final Shows Were a Church Service + a Benefit For His Wife

Nichols spent the last few years caring for his wife Tonya, who is facing health challenges and needs a lung transplant. On June 25, He played at a benefit event raising funds for her medical care, billed as Every Breath She Takes, at Nashville venue 3rd & Lindsley.

A GoFundMe has been established for Tonya’s medical care, especially in the wake of Nichols’ death.

Singer David Pack, who worked with Nichols for years, later reflected on that night, saying that no one knew at the time that it would also have “an unexpected second purpose: It also became Jimmy’s farewell.”

Pack also said that Nichols played a show in church the day of his death.

“Last night he played at a church service in Franklin, Tenn., then went home and passed in his sleep,” he reflects. “His final performance beautifully reflecting his faith. Rest in heavenly peace my brother, you have earned it. I’ll miss you.”

Memorial Information For Jimmy Nichols

Jimmy Nichols’ death was seemingly unexpected. No cause of death has yet been shared.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Ray Stevens‘ CabaRay Showroom on Sept. 2 at 6:30PM.