Wilbur Joyner

Anthony “Smooth Groove” Joyner made his transition Tuesday, July 13th after an extended illness. He is survived by his brother, Cleve Douglass of New York, New York.

Anthony started singing at the age of 5, played guitar, trombone, drums and percussion, and more. His loss is being felt by everyone that knew him from the church world to the night clubs. Anthony received a Bachelors in Music Education from Austin Peay State University and a Masters in Music Education at Belmont College. Anthony was one of the greatest musicians that ever came to Nashville and when he played the bass guitar the atmosphere changed and everyone in the house could feel it. A consummate artist,

Anthony was who you wanted in your band whether you liked gospel, soul, funk, rock, rhythm & blues and country and western too.  Anthony loved our Creator more than anyone else. Anthony was as real and authentic as people come without a hypocritical bone in his body. Everybody loved this man because "what you saw was what you got" when Anthony Joyner walked into the building. Although he played professionally for many artists over his lifetime, Anthony performed with everyone from Faith Hill, Mark Chestnutt, Scat Springs & Band, Stacey Mitchart, Gary Puckett, Shania Twain, Tim McGraw, Lee Greenwood, Kellie Coffey, Wynonna Judd, Bryan White, Lila McCann, The Nelsons, The Hager Twins, James House, Stephanie Bentley, Brady Seals, George Ducas, Steve Azar, Jamie O'Neal, John Rich (of Big & Rich), Jo-El Sonnier, Megan Ruger, Terry McMillan, Mark Collie, Kim Boyce, Thompson Square...and many, many more.