Red dirt veteran dies in Kansas crash

by: JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
1/9/2008 12:00 AM

A quirky, longtime friend of the red dirt music scene has died.

Jerry Newport, 60, of Okmulgee, was in a two-vehicle car crash late Saturday in Kansas. His vehicle crossed the center line and collided with an oncoming tractor-trailor rig, reports show.

"This is a pretty hard blow to the red dirt (music) community" said John Cooper, frontman for the Spot Music Award Hall of Fame act, the Red Dirt Rangers. "He's been around for more than 30 years, he's family. This is very hard for everyone."

Known as "Uncle Stoney" by friends from all over the country, Newport was well-liked for his offbeat personality, cooking skills and love of music, especially the blend of rock and country known as red dirt music, which originated in Stillwater.

According to the news channel KBSD in Dodge City, Kan., the crash happened in Plevna, in Reno County, Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said Newport was westbound on U.S. 50 when he crossed into the path of an oncoming semi. He died at the hospital.

The driver of the semi, 46-year-old Mitchell Hanks of Lone Tree, Iowa, was not hurt.

Police would not say why Newport went into the other lane.

He was on his way to red dirt-oriented Texas and Jam music festivals in Steamboat Springs, Colo., when the accident occurred, Cooper said.

One of his last Tulsa appearances was at the annual Red Dirt Christmas show at Cain's Ballroom in mid-December.

Newport is survived by his father, Ray C. Newport, of Okmulgee, brother Jeff Newport of Sand Springs, sister Judy Carroll of Kellyville and several nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A graveside service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Fort Gibson National Cemetery, 1423 Cemetery Road, in Fort Gibson, with McClendon-Winters Funeral Home of Okmulgee.

Condolences may be sent to www.tulsaworld.com/McClendon-Winters , and the Galleywinter Texas Music online forum has a thread established for those wishing to share memories. It can be found at www.tulsaworld.com/UncleStoney .

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Jennifer Chancellor 581-8346
jennifer.chancellor@tulsaworld.com