Dennis Bruce Payne

Dennis Bruce Payne

Bakersfield Artist, Writer, and Producer Passes at 71

Dennis Bruce Payne was born in Bakersfield, CA on July 16, 1949. He passed away on April 8, 2021 due to complications from heart disease. He was 71 years old at the time of his passing.

Dennis had an extensive career starting in Bakersfield, CA. He was on the Dave Stogner TV show as a teenager, influenced by Red Simpson. At the age of 14, he co-wrote "Highway Patrol" which would be a number 1 song two times for Junior Brown. That song would later be heard in the Jim Carrey movie "Me, Myself, and Irene". He also wrote "True Blue" featured on the movie soundtrack for "Overboard" which featured Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. He also had songs out by Tommy Collins as well as the song "All I Want and Need Forever" which Vern Gosdin recorded.

He, early on, was manage by Buck Owens, and worked with both Buck and Merle Haggard.

He came to Nashville to try his hand. He was a performer, a lead guitar player, a writer, a producer, and engineer. He was part of many bands, including Cigars and Cararacts, Eagle Creek, and many others in Nashville. Dennis also toured with Earl Thomas Conley, David Frizzell, and many other Grand Ole Opry performers.

His father Charles Payne was a member of the Light Crust Dough Boys. See this page to get extensive history on Dennis's career: http://www.rockabillyhall.com/DennisPayne.html. He was featured in two hour Grand Opening at the Country Music Hall of Bakersfield Exhibit.

He is survived by his two daughters, Tracy Payne Black (husband Teal), and DeElla Ann Ray; two granddaughters, Gabrielle Ray and Sierra Ray; two sisters, Lori Clayton and Lisa Perrette; two brothers, Timothy Perrette and Joel Perrette; nieces, Sarah Perrette, Arianna Madrigal Johnson, and Jocelyn Johnson; grand-niece, Mariah; nephews, Timothy Jr., Bubba, Nick, Travis, Joseph, John and Jeremy; great-nephews, Sam Perrette and Creed Claxton; as well as many cousins.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Thelma Deana Perrette; father, Charles Bruce Payne; niece, Jamie Claxton; nephew, Mathew Perrette; as well as several cousins, aunts, and uncles.

His service will be on April 28, 2021 from 4-7 p.m. at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, TN.