Person:Clifton Tullis (2)

Obituary, The Chattanoogan (Chattanooga, TN): Tullis, Clifton Kyle posted March 9, 2004 Kyle Tullis Kyle Tullis, 55, of Franklin, Tn., formerly of Chattanooga, died Tuesday, March 9, 2004 in Nashville. He was a graduate of the East Ridge High School Class of 1966 where he served as captain of the band. He graduated from Indiana University with a degree in music. Kyle began his music career in Los Angeles in the early 70?s with the Gram Parsons, the Fallen Angels Band, and Emmylou Harris. He also played in New York with fusion guitar great Larry Coryell. He was a veteran bass player on the Nashville music scene touring and recording with Dolly Parton, Lorrie Morgan, Marty Stuart, and the Oak Ridge Boys. He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Tullis. Survivors include daughter, Megan Tullis, Franklin; sons, Jason Tullis, Franklin and Daniel Tullis, Franklin; fiancee, Gail Kressal, W. Palm Beach, FL; former wife, Mary Ellen Tullis, Franklin; mother, Bethel Tullis, Smyrna, TN; sister, Gayle (John) Robinson, Murfreesboro; brother, Lee (Barbara) Tullis, East Ridge, and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the South Crest Chapel with burial to follow at Lakewood South Memory Gardens. Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home.

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Thursday, 03/11/04, The (Nashville) Tennessean: Nashville bass player Kyle Tullis dies at 55

By PETER COOPER Staff Writer Kyle Tullis, 55 ? a Nashville bass player who began his professional career playing in country-rock trailblazer Gram Parsons' band and went on to perform with Steve Wariner, Lorrie Morgan, the Oak Ridge Boys and others ? died Tuesday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Friends said he had been diagnosed with liver cancer and the cancer had spread to his bones.

He's a thread that runs through so many people in this town, said Wariner, who employed Mr. Tullis in his band for 10 years. He played with so many folks and had such a colorful history, and he was sweet and kindhearted. It breaks my heart that this has happened.

Mr. Tullis grew up in Chattanooga and found his way into the music business as part of Parsons' Fallen Angels band. His time with Parsons put him in the midst of the burgeoning California country scene, and he played on the influential Live 1973 recording with Parsons and Emmylou Harris.

Later, Mr. Tullis worked in New York with fusion guitarist Larry Coryell. When Mr. Tullis relocated to Nashville, he found touring work with Dolly Parton and with country star Johnny Rodriguez during that singer's biggest chart years. From there, he played numerous studio sessions and performed with staunchly country Vern Gosdin, genre-swapping Vassar Clements and rocker Marshall Chapman before hooking up with Wariner's band.

He loved all kinds of music, Wariner said. The bass was his life, and he was always studying and stretching, reading Bass Player magazine or working on his gear or listening to jazz or pop or rock.

Lorrie Morgan and the Oak Ridge Boys also took to the road with Mr. Tullis on bass, but his health concerns ultimately forced him away from the touring life.

Drummer Ron Gannaway, who worked with Mr. Tullis for years in Wariner's band, said, Kyle just loved to play. He didn't care if it was onstage or in a session. I've never worked with another guy who inspired me more.

Mr. Tullis leaves behind a daughter, Megan, and sons, Jason and Daniel, all of Franklin. Funeral services will be tomorrow in Lane Funeral Home in Rossville, Ga., at 2 p.m.

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Also see: http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section_id=12&screen=news&news_id=32675 http://tennessean.com/entertainment/music/hotspots/archives/04/04/50482049.shtml?Element_ID=50482049