04/21/2026
Wayne Moss. 1938-2026
Sadly, the world has lost another one-of-a-kind musician from West Virginia.
Wayne Moss, famed guitarist, session musician, and owner of Cinderella Sound in Madison, TN died at his home on April 20, 2026. A legendary “Nashville Cat,” Wayne’s incredible resume includes stints in the legendary bands Barefoot Jerry and Area Code 615, as well as recording sessions for a “Who’s Who” of artists ranging from Bob Dylan and Waylon Jennings to Simon and Garfunkel, Nancy Sinatra, and Roy Orbison.
Born and raised in South Charleston, WV, Wayne’s first job in The Pioneer Pals, came courtesy of local radio and TV personality, Sleepy Jeffers. Soon, his rock ‘n’ roll group, The Versitones, was playing high schools and other venues throughout the state.
Wayne’s first original song, “Starry Eyes,” was recorded by The Hilltoppers, on Dot Records. Subsequent songs were recorded by artists including The Oak Ridge Boys, Jerry Reed, Mack Davis, Chet Atkins, Charlie McCoy, Tuck and Patti, Roy Clark, George Benson, Brenda Lee, and Willie Nelson. Wayne's last job in West Virginia was at the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree, as part of Bill Browning and the Echo Valley Boys. In 1959, he left St. Albans for Nashville.
After joining Brenda Lee's backup band, The Casuals, Wayne and drummer, Kenneth Buttrey formed the Escorts that soon included WV harmonica ace Charlie McCoy. A 1995 article in the "Nashville Scene" credited the Casuals as Nashville's first - and best - rock 'n' roll band.
In 1960, Wayne opened Cinderella Sound Recording Studio, which remains one of the oldest continually operating studios in Nashville. Among the artists who recorded there were Linda Ronstadt, Charlie Daniels, The Steve Miller Band, Ricky Skaggs, Grand Funk, KISS, The Whites, Mel McDaniel and Little Jimmy Dickens.
Over the years, Moss also worked with artists including Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Joan Baez, Michael Nesmith and Leo Kottke - many of whom recorded at Cinderella.
Some of his most memorable sessions include the instantly recognizable guitar lick at the beginning of Roy Orbison's “Pretty Woman,” his storied solo on Waylon Jennings’ “Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line” and his seminal work on Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde.”
A true “musician’s band,” Barefoot Jerry was a favorite of Charlie Daniels, who name checked them in “The South's Gonna Do it Again”: "And all the good people down in Tennessee, are diggin' Barefoot Jerry and the CDB."
Charlie McCoy and Wayne Moss at the 2013 WV Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
