Duckworth died at his home on Sept. 7, according to an obituary shared by his family. While music became an important part of his life, his family remembered him as much for his devotion to those closest to him and his love of the outdoors.
“Music was also a special part of his life,” his obituary read. “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.’”
Duckworth grew up singing with his brother Greg and sister Wendy Williams. In 2008, the siblings officially formed a band called I-79 and performed under that name for the first time at the Colgate Country Showdown.
The trio later changed its name to Taylor Made and began building a following in country music. Among the group’s best-known songs was “Things You Don’t Grow Out Of,” which reached No. 36 on the Billboard Indicator chart.
Music, however, was only one part of Duckworth’s life. Away from the stage, he worked as a dump truck driver for Wolfe’s Excavating, where he earned another nickname: “Truck Boss.” His family said he “truly enjoyed” the work because it allowed him to spend his days outside.
Following his death, Duckworth’s niece, singer-songwriter Brianna Duckworth Kazner, shared a video from her wedding featuring Taylor Made performing together.
She admitted she was “having a hard time believing” it was “the last time Taylor Made sang together.”
“I grew up watching my dad, Aunt Wendy, and Uncle Brian perform at fairs and festivals until I was finally old enough to join them on a few occasions,” Kazner wrote.
As she began writing her own music, Kazner said her uncle also became someone she could turn to when she needed help.
“As I’ve gotten older and started writing my own music, I knew the guy to call whenever I got creatively ‘stuck,’” she wrote. “He truly had such a way with song lyrics that I knew without a doubt Uncle Brian would pull me out of the songwriter’s slump.”
Kazner said the two had recently talked on the phone about a song idea Duckworth had. Looking back on their years of making music together, she added, “I can’t count the number of times we got to sing together but it will have never been enough.”
Duckworth is survived by Tina, his wife of nearly 16 years; six children, Zach, Ashton, Logan, Kayla, Michael and Matt; four grandchildren; and five brothers and sisters.
“Above all, Brian treasured his family and the special memories they created together,” his obituary said. “Brian’s love of family, music, and the outdoors will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.”
Read Previous Post