Ken Bonham has left the planet. He exited in the early days of 2026 in his sleep. He left a guitar propped against the living room table as well as 19 flat picks and three thumb picks on the side table (I counted them). The other 15 guitars were in cases or on stands in every room except the bathroom. He took all ten fingers and his unequaled talent with him.

Ken came into the world in 1939, the same year that saw the premier of “The Wizard of Oz”. He followed a yellow brick road out of Nashville for a few years as a journeyman guitarist for a number of country music singers. He rode countless miles in the back of station wagon to make music in a hundred Emerald cities across the US. He came back with fifty dollars. But he was on the Grand Ole Opry!

He left the rarified world of country music entertainment for a more domestic life with a wife, two kids, a couple of Heinz 57 dogs named Flop and Brutus and a small brick house in an East Tennessee mill town. But he always played music. He remained a musician’s musician. He leaves us while the “Wizard of Oz” enjoys a rebirth in the cinema, and we like to think his second act is onstage now as well. He played his final gig here a couple of weeks before moving on.

He leaves a big hole in a lot of lives and an empty spot on the bandstand. He leaves a lot of memories and funny stories from the perspective of the world’s most lovable smart-ass.

He had 10 siblings and a grandchild who went on before him. Two children, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and another on the way as well as a host of admiring musicians, friends and fans who will sorely miss his dry wit, big heart and peerless guitar skills.

He will be remembered and celebrated at Ciderville Music Store on Clinton Highway in Powell, Tennessee on January 17 from noon until everyone has had a good time. Bring an instrument if you’d like to play or sing. Bring stories and memories to share. Tears are optional but the goal is to remember the joy of a life well lived.

Ken would surely like you to skip the flowers and support local music and local musicians…except banjo players.

The family will have a Ken Bonham Celebration of Life “Kenfest”, on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 12 to 3 pm ish at the Ciderville Music Barn 2836 Clinton Hwy, Powell, TN 37849.

RSVP: appreciated but not required: 336-971-2997.

Please check back for the full obituary.

Schubert Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Ken Bonham.