Songwriter, arranger musician, and producer Tim Akers has passed away.
Hailing from Hendersonville, Tennessee, Akers was the keyboard player and band leader for his band, Tim Akers and The Smoking Section. The 17-piece R&B band, comprised entirely of Nashville session players, have all played on countless records across all genres.
An acclaimed studio session player, Akers had a variety of recordings to his credit, including those for Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Megadeth, Michael Bolton, Rascal Flatts, SHeDAISY, Jewel, LeAnn Rimes, Trace Adkins, Glen Campbell, Barry Manilow, Pam Tillis, Patti LaBelle, Joss Stone, Wynonna, Kid Rock, Josh Gracin, and many others. His music has also been featured on a handful of soundtracks for movies like Chicken Little, Evan Almighty, Herbie Fully Loaded, The Prince of Egypt, We Were Soldiers, Kissing Jessica Stein, and Anastasia.
Akers was the Music Director for TNN’s show, Prime Time Country, from 1997-1999, and as a conductor/arranger/bandleader, he directed shows with artists to the likes of Stevie Wonder; Earth, Wind & Fire; Patti LaBelle; Donna Summer; John Legend; Michael McDonald; Kenny Loggins; Christopher Cross and more. Akers was also a touring keyboardist with country music trio Rascal Flatts, and also toured with LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, Amy Grant, and Vince Gill over the years.
Akers was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2017, though his cause of death has not yet been announced.
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