Brian "Nashville" Neil Duckworth, country music singer and a member of the family band Taylor Made, has died at age 56. Duckworth died on Monday, September 7, at his home in West Virginia, according to his obituary. A cause of death was not immediately revealed.
How He Earned His Nickname
Duckworth's obituary described his lifelong passion for music: "He loved to sing and proudly performed with his family band, Taylor Made. Brian never passed up an opportunity to share his voice, earning him the affectionate nickname 'Nashville.'" The obituary called music "a special part of his life."
A Family Band Built From the Ground Up
Duckworth formed Taylor Made alongside his brother Greg Duckworth and sister Wendy Williams roughly 15 years ago. In a 2013 Billboard interview, Duckworth reflected on the trio's rise, describing himself and his siblings as "three kids from the back porch" who were "just excited about each and every step along the way." Throughout their career, Taylor Made shared the stage with major country artists including Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, and Miranda Lambert. One of the group's most popular songs, "Things You Don't Grow Out Of," reached No. 36 on the Billboard Indicator chart.
A Life Outside the Spotlight
When he wasn't performing, Duckworth worked as a dump trucker for Wolfe's Excavating — a job his obituary described as one "he truly enjoyed because it allowed him to spend his days outdoors."
His Wife's Tribute
Duckworth's wife, Tina Duckworth, shared a heartfelt statement remembering her husband as "the most humble and selfless" person one could ever meet. "He had a huge heart and truly would have given you the shirt off his back. He was a simple man who loved his family deeply and found joy in the things he loved most — singing, hunting, and making people laugh," she wrote. Tina and Brian had been together for 19 years; according to Tina, the two actually first met as babies, though Brian would jokingly tell people he didn't remember that first meeting.
Tina continued: "That was Brian — he loved telling a good story and making people laugh. He touched so many lives just by being the kind of man he was. I only wish he could see the outpouring of love for him and know just how much he truly meant to so many people. Brian will be deeply and sadly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. As his wife, I don't know how to put into words the emptiness his passing has left behind. My life will never be the same without him. I will forever be grateful for our 19 years together, for every memory we made, every laugh we shared, and for the privilege of loving him and being his wife. He will always be a part of me, and I will carry my love for him in my heart for the rest of my life."
A Legacy Rooted in Family and Community
Duckworth's story reflects a career built as much on genuine family bond and community connection as on chart success — a "back porch" trio that went on to share stages with some of country music's biggest names, while its founding member never left behind the everyday, outdoor working life he loved. Full obituary and service details are available through the Bartlett Funeral Home and Crematory website.
Brian Duckworth's family, friends, and fans are remembering a man whose warmth, humor, and love of music left a lasting impression on everyone who crossed his path.