RIP Leonard T (LT) Zinn 2/3/2022

[Bill Ferguson]

For those of you that follow my YouTube and have attended the ISGC, Smoky Mountain Jamboree and other shows, then you recognize Leonard T (LT) Zinn.
Leonard left our world today at 96 years old. He was one of the happiest people I have ever known. Always had a hug for me and everyone else and sat on that stage for countless hours just being happy playing rhythm guitar.
I have know LT since I first joined the sound booth at the ISGC in 1981 and we have been close friends ever since.
We have shared many a stage together.
I talked to him just 3 weeks ago and he was busy shoveling snow off the sidewalk. The man just never quit, right up till the end.
RIP my friend. You will be missed.
Our last show together. 2014 ISGC. I did not have a spot on that show and LT said, come on up with me. He played only 2 songs and gave me the rest. Bless him

[Larry Baker]

such sad news to read. We got to know L.T. at the St. Louis shows. Always very friendly and had time to stop and visit. He will be sadly missed. Prayers for his family and friends. Rest in Peace L.T.

[Bob Watson]

I'm sorry to hear this sad news about LT Zinn. He was an iconic steel guitar player and will be dearly missed. My condolences go out to all of his family and friends.

[Joe Krumel]

Rip Mr. Zinn, thanks so much for your wonderful life.

[Larry Dering]

Leonard T was a staple at the ISGC. He had more on stage time than off. Always smiling and friendly, playing a beautiful archtop guitar as supportive role or his beloved steel guitar in the Hawaiian room. What a wonderful human being and friend to everyone. I feel blessed to have known him and share his joy of life and music. My prayers to his family and friends.

[Earl Hensley]

Lost my good friend today. LT was one of the best in the business. Always there to help a new player or just sit and talk with old friends. You will be missed my friend, Love you and will miss you.

[Mike Neer]

Rest in peace, LT. You were a role model for us all.

[Craig Stock]

RIP LT!

What a nice man, when I first met him, he made you feel like you had been friends all your life.

My condolences to his friends and family!

[Jim Cohen]

One of the nicest men I think I've ever met and such a joyful presence on any stage, whether playing steel or comping chords on his Guild hollow-body electric guitar in the rhythm section. He always had this huge grin on his face that brightened every room he walked into and just wouldn't quit. Really was The Energizer Bunny. Rest in peace my friend. I'm glad our paths did cross.
My deep condolences to Evelyn and all his family and friends.

[Jim Cohen]

One of the nicest men I think I've ever met and such a joyful presence on any stage, whether playing steel or comping chords on his Guild hollow-body electric guitar in the rhythm section. He always had this huge grin on his face that brightened every room he walked into and just wouldn't quit. Really was The Energizer Bunny. Rest in peace my friend. I'm glad our paths did cross.

[HowardR]

A sweetheart of a man and an energetic force.....a fine player with a great soothing vibe.....RIP Leonard T. Zinn.......

[Terry Wood]

Leonard was a very nice man! Always positive and so upbeat about life!

Prayers for his family and friends! RIP Leonard T Zinn!

[Walter Stettner]

This is devastating. So sorry to get these news. I'll second everything that has been said so far about the man. A true pioneer who dedicated his life to music and the steel guitar, but, most important, a true gentleman and one of the nicest and most humble people in the world. He is gone now but his memory will be with me forever. I still see him sitting on stage, smiling and playing along for countless hours. In addition, I still see him at Scotty's in the Hawaiian room (that was his baby!) smiling from ear to ear when the Hawaiian Show was on.

RIP, L.T. and Thanks for all you did.

My prayers and condolences go out to Evelyn and the family and Thanks for all you did for the man.

Walter Stettner
Vienna, Austria

[Jack Stoner]

Sad. I remember listening to the 101 Ranch Boys on a York Pa radio station in the late 40's. I saw the 101 Ranch Boys at a local event in my home town (Mechanicsburg Pa) in early 50's.

Leonard had an active "retirement" playing all the steel shows.

RIP.

[Chuck S. Lettes]

We will all miss Leonard. He was such an important part of the steel shows. His smile would always brighten the room.
Chuck

[Don Hemmer]

I am very sorry to hear this.Leonard was a wonderful musician
and person.My self and the steel guitar community will miss him.

[Paul King]

I never got to meet Leonard but saw him on several videos. It sounds like he was a great man and musician. So sorry to hear of his passing.

[Sandra Scott-Wall]

Oh no. Leonard T. was an absolute favorite at the ISGC. His music and most of all his humor was eagerly anticipated by all. I remember when he would come to my parents house for what4ver reason and he was so naturally entertaining that we always had a good time when he was around. RIP Leonard.

[b0b]

One of the nicest people I've ever met, and a great musician. I loved his steel playing in the Hawaiian room and his rhythm guitar on the big stage. I listen to his 101 Ranch Boys recordings often. I'll be listening more today.

[Bill Sinclair]

I never got to meet Leonard but I've enjoyed videos of his playing since joining the forum. For years he ran a music store in nearby Chambersburg, PA and a number of the older musicians I've met around here remember him fondly. RIP Mr. Zinn.

[Chris Templeton]

You are in great company, Leonard

[Joel Martin]

What a beautiful human. I feel so lucky to have been able to have met him - he was someone I always looked forward to seeing at the ISGCs.
My condolences to his friends here.

[Earl Hensley]

Lost my friend for many years, RIP LT,

[Michael Greer]

Rest in peace in LT...such a kind and gentle man

One of my most treasured guitars and memories is the Alkire Eharp that Leonard sold to me back in 2014.
It has his initials on the headstock and he shared that it's one of the guitars he used with the 101 Ranch Boys.

We drove to his home in Michigan and he and Evelyn could not have been more friendly and hospitable.
When we arrived they had a full hot meal ready for us and treated us like family.

I will never forget the couple hours after dinner that we spent in Leonard's basement.
He shared lots of photos of his musical career...the 101 Ranch Boys and his work in Hollywood.
Of course he played some Hawaiian tunes for us in that smooth tone that he had.

Like so many others we also looked forward to seeing him and saying hello in St Louis.

Another legend has left us...LT will be missed.

[Don Sulesky]

He will surely be missed by the whole steel guitar world.
I always found him a joy to be around with when he did several of the PSGA shows.
I remember him asking me to watch his Cd's next to the PSGA booth and when I went to move it he had his protection the in the bag. I said to myself that's the Eveready LT all right.
Rest in Peace my friend.