Country Music Star Passed Away At Age 70:

 Country musician, producer and acclaimed pedal steel guitarist Tommy Detamore died on Wednesday, Aug. 5, his wife of 41 years, Sandra Detamore, confirmed on Facebook. He was 70.

“It is with a broken heart, I share that my husband of 41 years, Tommy Detamore Tommy Detamore went home to be with the Lord yesterday, Wednesday, August 5, 2026,

Tommy was and will always be remembered as a respected musician, producer, collaborator, mentor, and creative force in Country Music. Not to mention the love of my life. His work has and will always leave a lasting mark in the country music community. His Godgiven gift for playing and producing music allowed him to lift others up and help shape the sound of country music we hear today. Dr. Tom.. Sir Punchalot …Drama Papa … The Man …were just a few names people called him. Just recently we were celebrating another project he produced and played on that went platinum. My son Thomas Thomas Detamore

and I take comfort in knowing he is at peace and is now with his family and that his music will live on and will be cherished forever.

Sandra Detamore Facebook

Please continue to pray for me and my family and our Drama Kids Staff as we figure out how to honor my beloved “Steelman” I want to make sure he is celebrated with family and friends and the community. This way we can all say our goodbyes, since this was so sudden.

Lastly Thank you Lord Jesus for allowing me to love and be loved by Tommy. I know where he is and I thank you and one day I too will be with him again in our mansion in the sky. John 14:2”

Detamore was a highly respected figure in country and Americana music whose career stretched across more than four decades. Best known for playing pedal steel guitar, he was also an accomplished electric and acoustic guitarist and played instruments including dobro, mandolin and banjo. He worked extensively as a record producer, recording engineer and studio musician.

A native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Detamore began playing guitar while he was young and later studied pedal steel guitar under renowned player Buddy Charleton. His career took a major turn in 1981 when he moved to Texas to play steel guitar for country singer Darrell McCall. The following year, he joined Moe Bandy’s band, touring throughout the United States and Europe for about seven years. During that period, Detamore also appeared on programs and stages including the Grand Ole Opry, Hee Haw and Nashville Now.

Detamore later became especially well known for his studio work. He owned Cherry Ridge Studio in Floresville, Texas, where he produced, engineered and recorded music for numerous country and Americana performers. His long list of collaborators included Ray Price, Ronnie Milsap, Johnny Bush, Jim Lauderdale, Doug Sahm, The Texas Tornados, Robert Earl Keen, Sunny Sweeney, Rick Trevino and many others.

He continued performing in his later years and played pedal steel with Jake Hooker & the Outsiders. In November 2025, Detamore was named Steel Guitar Player of the Year at the Texas Country Music Awards, another recognition of his decades of work behind one of country music’s most distinctive sounds.