Winchester's manager and agent says that the singer, who is known for songs such as 'The Brand New Tennessee Waltz' and 'Biloxi', passed away from bladder cancer.
- April 12, 2014
AceShowbiz -
Jesse Winchester, a singer/songwriter who is known for songs such as "Yankee Lady", "Biloxi", "Mississippi You're on My Mind" and "The Brand New Tennessee Waltz", has passed away. As reported by The New York Times, Winchester's manager and agent Keith Case said that the singer died at his home in Charlottesville, Va. from bladder cancer. He was 69.
Winchester was born James Ridout Winchester in Bossier City, La. He had 10 years of piano lesson when he was a child. He played organ in local church and later also got interested in playing guitar after listening to songs on radio.
Winchester continued his education at Williams College, majoring in German. He also enrolled in University of Munich for a year, but spent much of his time playing with a rock band. After his graduation, he received draft notice but he left for Canada. "I didn't see going to a war I didn't believe was just, or dying for it," he told No Depression magazine. The artist then started making songs and recording.
He was honored with Lifetime Achievement Award from performing rights organization ASCAP for his body of work in 2007. Some singers such as Elvis Costello, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Lucinda Williams and Allen Toussaint covered Winchester's songs in 2012's tribute album "Quiet About It".
