went on to record Jazz Winds from a New Direction with Gary Burton on vibraphone, Joe Benjamin on double bass, and Joe Morello on drums. That session took place in Nashville in 1960. That same year, Garland, along with other members of the Nashville "A-Team" of session players, was invited to perform at the Newport Jazz Festival. For years, these musicians unwound by playing jazz after hours at Nashville's Carousel Club. The group included Gary Burton on vibes, guitarist Chet Atkins, pianist Floyd Cramer, saxophonist Boots Randolph, bassist Bob Moore, drummer Buddy Harman and African-American violinist Brenton Banks, who played in the string sections that adorned many Nashville recordings. RCA Victor had a mobile recording unit there to record their performance, but when rioting prematurely ended the festival, the group performed (with the tapes rolling) on the porch of the mansion where they were staying. The album was released as After the Riot in Newport. At the request of Gibson Guitar company president Ted McCarty, Garland and guitarist Billy Byrd influenced the design of the Byrdland guitar, which derived from the Gibson L-5, having a slimmer body and shorter scale for ease of playing. In September 1961, a car crash left Garland in a coma. He regained consciousness and recovered with the help of his wife, Evelyn, and two daughters (Cheryl & Debra), but due to a brain injury sustained in the car accident, he was unable to return to the studios. After Evelyn died at the age of 38 in a car crash in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 2, 1965, Garland's parents took care of him until their deaths. He then went to live with his brother, Billy. Garland suffered from constant ill health in his later years and died in Orange Park, Florida on December 27, 2004, of complications from a staph infection. He was 74 years old. He is interred in Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park. Discography As leader Velvet Guitar (Harmony, 1960) After the Riot at Newport with the Nashville All-Stars (RCA Victor, 1961) Jazz Winds from a New Direction (Columbia, 1961) The Unforgettable Guitar of Hank Garland (Columbia, 1962) Hank Garland and His Sugar Footers (Bear Family, 1992) Subtle Swing (Sundazed, 2004) As sideman Red Foley and Ernest Tubb, Red and Ernie (Decca, 1956) Bobby Helms, Jingle Bell Rock, (Decca 30513A, November 1957) Elvis Presley 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong: Elvis' Gold Records,