Bluegrass guitarist/composer Randall Hylton specialized in a fingerpicking style à la Chet Atkins and Merle Travis, and was known for being able to instantly write songs off the cuff. While performing, Hylton would often work jokes and guitar tricks into his act. In addition, Hylton's songs (his best-known composition remains "Room at the Top of the Stairs") were either performed or recorded by more than 150 singers, including such country/bluegrass notables as Ralph Stanley and Vern Gosdin. Besides playing on other artists' recordings, Hylton issued several solo albums -- 1989's Music Starts Right Here; 1996's Pickin' in the Parlor and True Stories, Tall Tales & Lies; and 1998's Love Songs for Patricia. On March 19, 2001, Hylton died at the age of 55 from a brain aneurysm in Nashville, TN. ~ Greg Prato