17 Facts About Bob Wootton

Robert Clifton Wootton was an American guitarist.

Bob Wootton joined Johnny Cash's backing band, the Tennessee Three, after original lead guitarist Luther Perkins died in a house fire.

Robert Clifton Bob Wootton was born March 4,1942, in Paris, Arkansas to coal miner Rubin Calvin Bob Wootton, and his wife Noma Moore.

Bob Wootton first learned to play guitar from his father around age 11.

In 1958, Bob Wootton moved to Oklahoma, where he lived until joining Cash's band.

In 1961, Bob Wootton joined the USarmy, and served for 3 years, including 15 months in Korea.

Bob Wootton had been a lifelong fan of Cash's and played his songs religiously until he had perfected the boom-chicka-boom style known as Cash's unique sound.

Bob Wootton, sitting in the audience, approached Cash requesting to fill in for the night.

Bob Wootton stunned the crowd, particularly Cash himself, with perfect renditions of every song.

On Cash's live album recorded at San Quentin State Prison, Bob Wootton stood on such tracks as "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues".

Bob Wootton continued in the band with only a brief respite until Cash retired from active touring in 1997.

Bob Wootton worked as a tour bus driver, including a stint for the Smashing Pumpkins.

Bob Wootton did not participate in the recording sessions that became known as Cash's American Recordings albums.

From 2006 to 2007, Wootton performed with Cash's original drummer, W S Holland, his wife Vicky Wootton, and his daughter Scarlett Wootton as The Tennessee Three.

Bob Wootton eventually withdrew from the concert project, which was later scrapped following disputes between prison officials and show promoters.

Bob Wootton continued his 2008 touring as the Tennessee Three with drummer Rodney Blake Powell, Vicky, Scarlett, and Montana Bob Wootton to crowds in several countries.

Bob Wootton died of dementia on April 9,2017, in Gallatin, Tennessee, at the age of 75.