James E. Stovall, 58, passed away in Dallas, Texas on Saturday, April 2, 2016.

He was born in Corsicana, Texas to Dennis D. and Carolyn (Reed) Stovall on September 7, 1957.

He grew up in Ennis, Texas and attended Ennis High School. On July 26, 2008 he married Elizabeth B. Reel and they made their home in Ennis. He started playing drums at 15 years old. He played with local country bands in the area until age of 18 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. After his honorable discharge in October of 1978 he formed a country music band of Airmen called Texas Dust, but when we couldn't find a regular bass player. He taught himself bass guitar and played four years with this group. They won vocal group of the year at the Terry Awards in 1978.

After that, he went to work playing music full time. Things were good for him in the music business and he began to tour. His first tour was with an artist named Claude King out of Shreveport, LA who's song Wolverton Mountain was a #1 hit back in the 1960's. He continued touring over the next 25 years with the following artists: Freddy Fender, Moe Bandy, Clay Walker and with Ray Price for 4 years, and with Janie Fricke for 9 years, and several more artist not mentioned here.

With these great artists, he had a chance to appear on several TV Shows. The Grand Old Opry 6 times, Crooke and Chase on TNN 3 times and 2 times on the show Nashville Now, with the host Ralph Emory. He played on two of Janie Fricke's albums, Greatest Hits Now and Then and her album Heroes.

Awards won: Terry Awards: Bass Player of the year 1988 and again in 1992. He was Nominated at the Terry Awards as 2006 Bass Player of the year. He was presented an award at the Terry Awards for Club of the year 2006. Certificates of Appreciation: Gov. (now President) George W. Bush's Inaugural Ball in Austin, Texas. He was presented an award from Gib Lewis, (Speaker of the House).

He was currently playing with a local band Ira Bradford and Bustin' Loose who was nominated for Dallas Band of the Year.

James is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Stovall; daughter, Stephany Stovall; two grandchildren; his father, Dennis Stovall; one brother, Stephen Stovall and wife, Joyce and sisters: Vallory Leech and Denise Brassart and husband, Edward.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn Stovall and two sisters; Patricia Richardson and Kerri Nodine.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary of Ennis.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the J.E. Keever Mortuary Chapel of Ennis with Rev. Ed Ramsey.

www.jekeevermortuary.com