Fray begins over Teddy Wilburns will

Janice Brooks · From: Pleasant Gap Pa

Fray begins over Teddy Wilburn's will

By SHEILA BURKE
Staff Writer

Another dispute is brewing in court over the estate of a country music star. It pits family against one of the city's largest charitable foundations over the last will and testament of Teddy Wilburn.

The Wilburn Brothers were one of the most celebrated brother duos in country music history. He and his brother Doyle also prospered on the business side.

Teddy Wilburn died in November from congestive heart failure. His will left most of his estate for scholarships at Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University.

But the case has been plagued by controversy and legal filings, and there are questions whether the scholarship funds will be set up.

Family members have been accused of taking memorabilia from Wilburn's home and selling it. Other relatives are contesting the will, claiming it was signed ''under suspicious circumstances.'' And one of the guitarist's nephews has been removed as administrator of the estate.

Other stars' cases.

The value of Wilburn's estate hasn't been calculated yet. Wilburn, who never had children, left $75,000 to family and friends. Other than stage costumes that were donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the will directs that almost everything else be sold and the proceeds go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for the scholarships. He also gave the Community Foundation all of his shares in his music publishing company and its commercial real estate on Music Row.

''It's really about the students,'' said Rebecca Howerton Finley, spokeswoman for the foundation. ''It's not about The Community Foundation. It's not about the family. It's about the students.''

The will, which was signed in December 2001, directed that anyone who challenged its validity would forfeit an inheritance.

Two months after Wilburn died, a Florida antiques dealer who had lived with the musician for years called the Community Foundation. Silas Pierce reported that valuables were missing from Wilburn's Evansdale Drive home in Oak Hill.

The items included an autoharp that had belonged to Mother Maybelle Carter, guitars embossed with ''Doyle'' and ''Teddy,'' a mandolin and a guitar made for Wilburn by Gibson guitars, ac-cording to court papers.

Family members admit to taking some items but not all, said their lawyer, Bill Harbison.

''They are admitting that they've got possession of certain items, but they do not believe those items belong to the estate,'' he said.

Davidson County Circuit Judge Randy Kennedy issued a temporary restraining order barring family members from taking, selling or damaging any of the property.

Then Kennedy appointed Nashville attorney Jeff Mobley to look into allegations of wrongdoing.

Jason Wilburn, a nephew, was removed as administrator of the estate after Mobley found questionable stock transactions.

Teddy Wilburn transferred more than 400 shares of stock in his publishing company, Sure-Fire Music, to his nephew in the months before he died. Mobley noted another transaction days be-fore Wilburn's death when the singer was ''hospitalized at the time, and it is safe to assume that the decedent had no knowledge of this transaction.''

Attempts to reach Jason Wilburn, were unsuccessful. His lawyer did not return a phone call.

Three family members not named in the document, Leslie Floyd Wilburn, Geraldine Wilburn Grisham and Monte Wilburn, have contested it, saying that Wilburn was ''feeble in mind and body, was blind'' and bedridden and in failing health when the will was signed.

''We are questioning the validity of it on a number of different legal grounds,'' said Harbison, who represents the three. ''And we're suggesting that since he was blind that's a significant issue, and it was not read to him, we don't believe, at the time it was signed.''

Teddy Wilburn

Teddy and Doyle Wilburn were popular from the 1950s to the 1970s and sang hits such as Hurt Her Once For Me, Somebody's Back In Town, and Let Me Be The First To Know.

They also had one of the first syndicated country TV shows. And the brothers were savvy when it came to the business end of the industry, launching Sure-Fire Music publishing and Wil-Helm Talent Agency. The duo was responsible for making Loretta Lynn a star and helped Patty Loveless in her early days.

Doyle died in 1982 from cancer.

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

On another note, why aren't the Wilburn Bros. in the Country Music Hall of Fame. They were a great act and had a lot of great tunes to their credit. My favorite is "Somebody's Back in Town". JH

------------------
Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

Janice Brooks · From: Pleasant Gap Pa

Jerry the Wilburns are probibly burried beyond the minds of folks voting for the HOF.
Also consider what they did for Loretta.

Paul King · From: Gainesville, Texas, USA

Janice, Doyle and Teddy may be gone but I sure enjoy watching their show on RFD TV on Thursday evening. They had a good TV show but having Hal Rugg and Curly Chalker as steel players on the show did not hurt them either.

Herman Visser · From: Rohnert Park, California, USA

Its a shame to read stuff like that. Sounds like all the man wanted to do was some good with the money he made and help people.Same crap happen in my family.I was sadden to hear they both are gone, but glad I can still enjoy them on their shows.

Herman Visser · From: Rohnert Park, California, USA

Its a shame to read stuff like that. Sounds like all the man wanted to do was some good with the money he made and help people.Same crap happen in my family.I was sadden to hear they both are gone, but glad I can still enjoy them on their shows.

Ken Lang · From: Simi Valley, Ca

It's just another story of someone rich and famous being accosted by their egg sucking kin.

Maybe that's what happens when you are on the road all your life and not home to teach your kids the values of life, the love of family and integrity as a human being.

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: