Monday, September 26, 2011
National Skyline Paul Kirby, Formerly of Walk the West and Cactus Brothers, Dies at 48
Posted by Jim Ridley on Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 4:51 PM
Sad news: Paul Kirby, a familiar face to veterans of the Nashville rock scene for his role in two of the most popular local bands of the 1980s and ’90s — Walk the West and Cactus Brothers — died yesterday of cardiac arrest at his Middle Tennessee home. He was 48.
The son of famed country songwriter Dave Kirby ("Is Anyone Going to San Antone?"), Kirby was one of the mainstays of the Rock Block during its 1980s heyday. In 1984, with brothers and schoolmates Will and John Golemon, he founded the cowpunk act Walk the West, among several local rock bands to score a major-label deal in the wake of Jason and the Scorchers' signing to EMI. They recorded a self-titled LP for Capitol Records, featuring their signature song "Sheriff of Love," and they secured opening gigs for the Ramones and a national tour slot with the Smithereens.
The group's label deal had fallen apart by decade's end, but Kirby and the Golemons found a new outlet (and a deal with Liberty) for WTW side project The Cactus Brothers, featuring fiddler Tramp, drummer Dave Kennedy, steel player Sam Poland and the late multi-instrumentalist David Schnaufer. One of the most adventurous major-label country acts of the early ’90s, their sets featured anything from reels to a cover of the Violent Femmes' "Blister in the Sun," and their popularity arguably eclipsed the earlier band's. But after two records and a cameo in the George Strait film Pure Country, the group lost its deal.
In recent years, Kirby was still making music, including recordings with former Walk the West drummer Richard Ice. Local scene fixture and WRVU DJ Whit Hubner, who'd known Kirby and the group since their days on the Rock Block, had heard some of the tracks and found them "really strong."
Kirby had just played two weeks ago at a Walk the West reunion show organized to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Exit/In's opening. Friends say he was in high spirits and good form there, but recently had complained of chest pains.
We'll pass along any word of a memorial service, and we'd love to hear any stories or memories anyone would care to share. In the meantime, our condolences to Kirby's family and many friends. Above, you'll find a vintage clip of Kirby on MTV; below, a clip from Walk the West's triumphant 2008 reunion show at Exit/In.
Comments (23)
Showing 1-23 of 23
Paul was always a brilliant musician and a humble soul. I fondly remember his bigger than life persona on stage but then his soulfulness and his kindness off stage.
He truly loved music and opened my eyes to a love of something other than ear shattering punk. I am forever grateful to have known him and learned from him a bit more about everything music.
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GREAT Article!!! I first saw Walk the West perform in Bowling Green, KY at the night club named Picasso's ... and after that performance I was a FAN and their MUSIC!!! AND later came The Cactus Brothers...AWESOME!! I became good friends with Paul, John, Will, Richard, Dave and Tramp..THEY ARE GREAT MUSICANS! They WERE the orginial "Cowpunk" band!!! I have some GREAT memories from the times WE all were together back in 80/90's!!! It saddens me to hear of Paul's death...He will be greatly missed by ALL who knew him and knew his music!! I still have the last Christmas card they sent me, plus an orginial Walk the West tee-shirt that Will Goleman and Paul signed for me one night at Picasso's..plus cassette tapes. Thank you again for the article and please info us on the memorial service. My condolences to Paul Kirby's family..You are in my heart, thoughts and prayers!!! Lori Jenkins-Chapman (ariesleomix@yahoo.com)
Will miss you my dear friend. May God smile upon you, and bring comfort to those of us left behind. I will miss those old glory days. Smile down upon us and prepare for the day we reunite. RIP my old friend, Speedy
I worked at Mainstreet in Murfreesboro, TN as a college student. Walk The West and later Cactus Brothers often played there. Paul was always kind, generous and a great "showman". My condolences to his family, many friends and fans.
I loved Walk the West and the Cactus Brothers. Was lucky enough to be at the reunion show in 2008 and relive those wonderful days I miss so much. I am still in shock over Paul's passing. Many prayers to his family and friends.
I'm stunned and saddened to hear about Paul's passing. I ran around with those guys back in the day and know firsthand that you couldn't find four nicer lads. Paul's bigger than life stage presence was juxtaposed by his actual quiet, gentle and shy personality.
I worked at the Exit/In as a cocktail waitress and always looked forward to a WTW show. Not only would it be a fantastic show, you knew that you'd be working with some really great guys. Paul was sweet, funny and a professional showman. We went out for drinks once after a show and he showed me the autograph inside his signature hat. Whose was it? The Byrd's Roger McGuinn. I'll always remember him fondly and am so sorry to hear the world has lost such a kind and gentle spirit. Godspeed, PDK.
I had the pleasure to play with Paul numerous times and witness the creative process firsthand. He fondly called me Mr. Guitar although I felt I never deserved that title. My thoughts go out to his family. I will surely miss him.
dave
Sorry for the double post everybody, I canna figure out how to edit/delete.
I knew Paul before you did. He was cool at the HS lunch table. David S., me, Paul, Tony, Mary L., - all the misfit toys.
Hi Lori.
I am surprised you remember all the BG, KY days! If I may quote you;
"Did you forget something (or someone) in Bowling Green"?
Yup... Sorry!
ciao
I will always remember Paul, THE Sheriff of Love, and when WTW opened for the White Animals at the War Memorial in Nashville (the night the lights fell), and to this day I have never had such a "Wow Moment" from a band and its front man. Totally blown away. And I rode that one album for so long and that when I truly learned the music BUSINESS was screwed up!!! In the end, the music and the person is what I will remember.
Carter Simmons
I played Walk the West as a DJ on WRVU back in the mid '80s. I think we had a couple of their songs on a "cart" tape (held a single song and worked sort of like a square 8-track). The staff wore that thing out, as well as the vinyl.
The live show was always great. Paul always looked very cool in his broad-rimmed hat. He had "it."
I encountered him a few times at clubs or on the street. He was a kind and warm soul with an inner-edge. He was rock and roll.
Dearfolk,
This deeply saddens me. I lived in Nashvegas in 1986, '87, and part of '88, so I got to know a lot of the happening musicians at the time.
Please send my condolences to his family and other loved ones... 48's just too young an age to die, especially with so much good work ahead.
Bless y'all for caring. He will be deeply, deeply missed.
Sincerely, Ort. Carlton in Athens, Ga.
R.I.P. Cousin, Paul. You have...and will always be...in my heart. We shared some fun times when we were kids...you, me & Weldon...little "Hellians" at every family reunion!! I've missed you in my adult life...always wishing we could hang again...but time & distance just kept us apart. I'll see you on the other side, tho...and we'll have fun again. Much love...always...Tami
I worked with Paul and the other members of Cactus Brothers and Walk The West for many years. The best album liner I have ever received from an artist in 38 years was dedicated to me by Walk The West. It read "To Clyde (Ass Saver) Bright". Nothing has ever topped that. I will retain those memories for the rest of my life. Paul, may you rest in peace.
paul kirby was one of a kind, and will be deeply missed. although i had moved away and haven't seen him in over 15 years, the news of his death just broke my heart. i always had a place for him in my heart and always will. my deepest condolences to his friends, and family.
1985? Louisville, Ky, Paul improvised a version of The Temptation's, "My Girl". It was very raw, it was one of those moments, when you catch an artist doing art, he had a great voice, 'My Girl" is hard to cover for anybody, he turned it inside out, you had to be there, I guess it was country/punk/rock, or just a great torch song? Or maybe just American Music?
In the end I guess Paul is hard to label, Artist, Musician, Singer, Songwriter.
Dave Kirby was my brother...therefore, Paul was my nephew. As Tami, my daughter said, time and distance has kept us apart, but family is family....and we are always together in our hearts....and love has kept us together. Paul was very special to me, and he called me periodically, and I would see him occasionally. When you love someone, distance doesn't mean much. You can never see them enough. Much love to Lou, Janis and Wade and of course, Elizabeth, Paul's longtime girl friend. I loved you more than you'll ever know..you will remain in my heart forever. 'Til we meet again.
Aunt Beverly.
I was sorry to hear about ole Paul. I haven't seen any of the guys in a while but, still consider them friends :). I remeber first meetin Paul through John and Will back in 78' at a Aerosmith and Mahogany Rush Concert. I remember good times we had on Hogans Branch Rd. The KDF Riverboat cruises with Patty Murray. And of course, the first band to play after dark on stage at Starwood. I still have the "Walk the West" album (not a scratch on it!).Please send out word of any kind of memorial service because, I'd like to attend. God Bless the Kirby family. Cheers to you Paul, I will see ya up there someday :)
Darrell Barber
White House, TN
I am absolutely heartbroken to learn Paul passed away. I met Paul in 1989 before a WTW show at The Library in Knoxville, TN, and mentioned how much I loved their cover of an old Hank Williams' song. Later that night, as he was introducing 'The Lonesome Whistle' he dedicated it to me. And every time I saw WTW then later, The Cactus Brothers, Paul would always dedicate that particular song to me. I shall always remember what a kind, thoughtful man, he was.....
I am absolutely heartbroken to learn Paul passed away. I met Paul at a WTW show in 1989 at the Library in Knoxville, TN. During our conversation, I happened to mention how much I loved the cover WTW did of an old Hank Williams song. Later that night as he was introducing 'The Lonesome Whistle' he dedicated it to me. Every time after that night when I would see WTW, and later the Cactus Brothers, he always dedicated that song to me. He was a kind, thoughtful man...God bless you, Paul, I'll always remember you...
thinking of my child hood frinds an all of the good times we had i was stuned to read of Pauls passing. riding the school bus singing (shall we gather at the river )togeather
laughing an having a great time. all the great times I had with Paul, Will and John. wil stay with me forever .Thanks for all the great memeories.
Roger Hosale paulahosale@gmail.com
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