Terry "Buffalo" Ware, the Oklahoma guitarist celebrated for his work alongside Ray Wylie Hubbard and John Fullbright, has died aged 76 after a battle with lung cancer. He passed away on 5 August, prompting tributes from musicians, friends and venues who praised both his musicianship and his character. His death marks the loss of a respected sideman whose decades-long career shaped Americana, country and rock music behind the scenes.

Ware's musical journey began after watching The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, leading him to play in various bands through school and college. After relocating to New Mexico in 1972, he met Hubbard and co-founded Ray Wylie Hubbard & The Cowboy Twinkies, touring throughout the 1970s including a support slot for Willie Nelson. He later returned to Oklahoma, formed the band The Sensational Shoes, and continued touring and recording, notably contributing guitar to John Fullbright's Grammy-nominated album From the Ground Up and appearing with him on The Late Show with David Letterman; his life was also chronicled in the 2024 documentary Ware the Buffalo Roams and a 2026 memoir.