I LOVE MUSIC!!!!

1953 - 2001

A professional songwriter since age 19, Stephenson wrote or co-wrote numerous hits, including BlackHawk's Every Once In A While. He shared credit with bandmate Dave Robbins and record executive Tim DuBois on Restless Heart's 1988 No. 1 Bluest Eyes In Texas.

An Ohio native, Stephenson moved to Nashville at age 10. He cut two solo albums as a rock musician in the 1980s but sold his first song to country singer Crystal Gayle. BlackHawk formed in 1992 and proved one of the most successful country groups of the 1990s, with such hits as Goodbye Says It All and That's Just About Right.

Stephenson retired from the band in February 2000.

''We knew we couldn't replace him,'' Robbins said yesterday. The band elevated bass player Randy Threet to Stephenson's vocal role.

''It would have been very hard to go out and hire somebody,'' said Robbins, a close friend and writing partner for 15 years.

BMI President Frances Preston grew to know Stephenson first as a writer associated with Warner/ Chappell Music and then as a volunteer entertainer at an annual fund-raiser for the Frances W. Preston Research Center at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.

''He really felt that he was not dying in vain, but that he had made a contribution to others who will develop the same disease,'' she said. ''He will be sorely missed as an artist and even more so for his humanitarian deeds.''

Stephenson, a seminary graduate, also was a minister, said Karen Stephenson, his wife of 25 years. Music, she said, ''took him from the ministry but not his faith.'' He continued to baptize people and teach Bible study until nearly the end of his life, she said.

Besides his wife, Stephenson is survived by three children, Katie Dodson of Spring Hill and Julie and Wes Stephenson of Brentwood.

Visitation is 4-7 p.m. tomorrow at Brentwood Funeral Home, 9010 Church St. E., Brentwood. The funeral is at 1 p.m. Thursday at Belmont Church in Nashville. Both are open to the public, but the graveside service is private.

Memorials can be sent to the American Cancer Society, attention of Brentwood Relay for Life.