Country Singer Randy Howard Killed

Country-music performer Randy Howard was shot and killed by a bounty hunter in Lynchburg, Tenn. on Tuesday night, June 9.

Howard was formerly an artist on Warner Bros. Records in Nashville. According to The Tennessean, bounty hunter Jackie Shell went to Howard’s log-cabin home to take him into custody because of a missed court appearance. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine stated that Howard opened fire on Shell. The bounty hunter shot back and killed him.

Shell was reportedly trying to detain Randy Howard based on a warrant charging the singer with fourth-offense DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia and a firearm while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license. Randy Howard, 65, was a native of Macon, GA. As a teenager, he appeared as a regular on a local TV show hosted by Buddy Knos. He later became a radio disc jockey and program director.

He first made the country charts in 1983 with his self-written “All-American Redneck.” The song inspired a popular bumper sticker. He returned to the country hit parade in 1988 with a remake of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Howard has recorded seven albums. His self-titled 1988 LP was for the Atlantic label and was produced by Nelson Larkin.

He has shared stages with Hank Wiliams Jr., Waylon Jennings, David Allen Coe, Bobby Bare, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Willie Nelson, among others. Randy Howard was among the performers on Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam XIII in 1987 at Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville.

Jackie Shell was reportedly injured in the gunfight. DeVine said that the TBI is investigating the shooting.