Obituary of Ross Key

Ross Key, age 54, passed away on March 6, 2017. The family will be receiving friends at Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, on Saturday, March 11, 2017 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. He is survived by spouse Brenda Porter, mother Myra Key, brother Edward Key, and son David Garland Key. He is preceded in death by father Edward Garland and brother Steven Key. Ross received his degree in Drafting & Architectural Science from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was a Journeyman Carpenter: master carpenter, master electrician, and master plumber. Ross traveled the professional country, bluegrass, and gospel music circuits over his 38 years in the music industry. He sat in on guitar with Willie Nelson during a concert by personal invitation from Willie and opened for many of the country music stars of the 70s and 80s. • 1978: Traveled with the Boy Scouts of America as their Music Ambassador through Europe • 1980: Virginia State Dobro Championship • 2011: Commendation and Recognition from Musicians in Action Guild, Nashville TN • 2012: CEO/Founder of the Traditional Country Network™ • 2013: Independent Country Music Association (ICMA) Recipient of the International Award for "Best Country Music Festival" for his annual Spring Fling Festival held in Lebanon TN • 2015: Recipient of two (2) commendations from Governor Haslam and the State of Tennessee: Honorary Colonel Aide de Camp for his work for veterans and the other for his contributions to Traditional Country Music through his organization, Traditional Country Network™ • 2016: Invited by the Texas Country Music Association in Carthage, Texas • 2016: Recipient of the 2016 "Best Country Band" in the United Kingdom • 2014 - present: Board of Directors - Reunion of Professional Entertainers (ROPE) Other survivors include his close friends, Roger Stafford and his friend, Chappel; Wayne Anderson (wife Debbie); Nathan Holzmann (wife Bridget); Bob Lee (wife Becky), and David Stiles all of Tennessee, Roy August, who wrote “I’m Settin' Fancy Free” for the Oak Ridge Boys and is a multi-platinum songwriter and was one of the first in the industry to take Ross under his wing, Jerry Overcast; in Virginia by his close friend in music, Larry "Gator" White (wife Jen), and numerous friends in the music industry. Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN 615.444.9393.