Elmore has lost one of our longest-running hits, writer and friend to music Scott Peavler, who passed away at his San Jose home today. Funny, irreverent and enormously intelligent, Scott brought an infectious gusto to life, margaritas and music.

A PhD, noted psychologist and teacher at UC Berkley, Scott found a second career in writing about country music, and contributed regular reviews and a number of cover stories to this magazine. His most recent feature story, on Cindy Cashdollar, was inspired by his own love of steel and pedal steel guitar, which he played with enthusiasm. Scott’s cover story on the Outlaw movement in country music stands as one of our best and most popular stories, and marked the first time Elmore ran a single feature story.

Dr. Scott Peavler published papers with Nobel Laureate Daniel Khaneman, but here he will be remembered for his insights into Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver and the other outlaws who shared his spirit. May that spirit live on.

– Suzanne Cadgene