RIP Lonnie Bennett

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 24 Mar 2024 4:58 pm

Sacred steeler and good friend Lonnie Bennett Jr. passed yesterday from an apparent heart attack. Lonnie was a very good player, a friend to many and a man of God. Prayers for his family and friends.

Michael McGee · Post by **Michael McGee** » 24 Mar 2024 5:06 pm

Rest in eternal peace, Lonnie.

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 24 Mar 2024 5:46 pm

This tears me up. I was friends with Lonnie for over 20 years. We sold guitars to back & forth to each other and I made a couple of hats for him as I was in the business. I last saw him at The Sacred Steel Summit this past May.....We hadn't seen each other for about 10 years (although we kept in touch sporadically) and we had some interesting conversations upon meeting again in person, with regard to life and growing older......he even bought a guitar from me that I had originally bought from him.....Lonnie was always a good will ambassador, a true gentleman, and a sincere friend.

Be at peace Lonnie, knowing that you had a positive impact on those who had the pleasure and honor of knowing you.

Susan Alcorn (deceased) · Post by **Susan Alcorn (deceased)** » 24 Mar 2024 6:35 pm

Oh no! Super nice guy and great steel player/musician. Such sad news. May he rest in peace.

Steve Alcott · Post by **Steve Alcott** » 24 Mar 2024 7:12 pm

I'm sad to hear this-I first met Lonnie at TSGA and later had the pleasure of playing with him at PSGA a few years later.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 24 Mar 2024 8:21 pm

Oh no, Big Ben.
I just can’t believe it.
My deepest condolences to his family.
He was family to all of us here, too.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 25 Mar 2024 4:34 am

My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Donna Dodd · Post by **Donna Dodd** » 25 Mar 2024 4:40 am

Lonnie greeted everyone with his big, contagious smile!
He was bigger than life, and such a joy to know!

My deepest condolences to Lonnie’s family.
Rest in Peace…….

Chuck S. Lettes · Post by **Chuck S. Lettes** » 25 Mar 2024 7:14 am

Sad to see this. Lonnie was always a joyful presence at the steel shows, and I will miss him. My condolences to his family. Here's a photo, taken by Dr. Wayne Yakes, from the St. Louis Convention, around 2001 "The Way We Were".
Chuck

Craig Stock · Post by **Craig Stock** » 25 Mar 2024 8:55 am

RIP Lonnie!

You were a great man and was always a pleasure seeing you play.

My condolences to your family and friends.

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 25 Mar 2024 11:21 am

Such sad news. Lonnie was a really great guy and fine player.
RIP Big Ben!

Bob Taillefer · Post by **Bob Taillefer** » 25 Mar 2024 12:14 pm

Rest In Peace dear friend

Bob & Debra

Tony Rankin · Post by **Tony Rankin** » 25 Mar 2024 6:14 pm

Sad news indeed. Condolences to his family.

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 26 Mar 2024 6:09 am

Rest easy, Lonnie. You brought joy to many.

Gord Cole · Post by **Gord Cole** » 28 Mar 2024 3:54 am

This is sad news. I met Lonnie when I bought his purple Millie MSA. It was a special day when he delivered it to me personally.

Jana Lockaby · Post by **Jana Lockaby** » 2 Jun 2024 4:16 pm

I’m so sorry to hear this. He was such a nice guy. My sympathies to his family.

Bruce Bouton · Post by **Bruce Bouton** » 22 Sep 2024 7:39 pm

He was such a sweet man and a great player.

RIP Lonnie!