R.I.P.: Jimmy Capps, Nashville Guitarist

Jimmy Capps, a Nashville guitarist who performed on some of country music's most influential recordings, has died at age 81, The Tennessean reports.

The Grand Ole Opry, where Capps played in the house band for more than 50 years, confirmed his death Tuesday.

Moving to Nashville in 1958, Capps chiseled a six-decade career rich in credits alongside leading figures in country music — Johnny Cash, George Strait and Kenny Rogers among them, per the Opry website.

It could be argued that Capps' playing reached virtually all country music listeners in the 20th century. He performed on standards the likes of Rogers' "The Gambler," Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man," George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and Strait's "Amarillo By Morning."

"The heavenly choir has gained one of the finest players to ever play," The Oak Ridge Boys — who enlisted Capps to perform on the 1981 hit "Elvira" — shared Tuesday via social media. "And quite frankly one of the finest men to ever live."

Capps' recording ventures demonstrate not only his allegiance to quality country but his ability to stay in demand among new performers in the genre; he has recorded with Alan Jackson as well as Ernest Tubb. The recordings of Kenny Rogers are certainly among the best-selling to feature Capps, usually playing in tandem with the fine Ray Edenton. Pop performers that have put Capps on their studio hat rack include John Denver, Tom Jones, and J.J. Cale.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as one of the lauded "Nashville Cats" players in 2012.