Born 67 Years Ago Today in Kentucky, the Son of a Bluegrass Star Who Became a Go-To Bassist for Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, and Reba McEntire

Jimmie Lee Sloas, born in Ashland, Kentucky, on 11 November 1959, built a wide-ranging career as a session bassist, producer and songwriter. His work across country, rock, Christian music and metal has made him a regular collaborator for artists including Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire.

Raised in a musical family, Sloas began playing bass as a young child, took his first paid gig aged five and moved to Nashville at 17. He later played with Christian pop group The Imperials, co-founded rock bands RPM and Dogs of Peace, and recorded with Megadeth on its 2004 album *The System Has Failed*. He has more than 50 songwriting credits and has received multiple nominations for bass player of the year from the CMA and ACM.