Keyboardist Bobby Wood retraces the steps of his historic music career from Mississippi to Nashville, including collaborations with Garth Brooks, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, and others. This in-depth discussion with the Museum’s RJ Smith was recorded live on August 17, 2024, as part of the Museum’s Nashville Cats interview series, which highlights legendary musicians.

During this conversation, Wood shares the stories of the making of Presley’s “Suspicious Minds,” Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” and Brooks’s “The Dance” and “The River,” as well as anecdotes about his time working with the Memphis Boys, Sam Phillips, Dusty Springfield, and Bobby Womack. Wood also discusses moving into songwriting and co-writing “Talking in Your Sleep,” which became a #1 hit for Crystal Gayle.

Raised on a family farm in Mississippi, Wood moved to Memphis after high school to pursue a music career. His recording of “If I’m a Fool for Loving You” was rising up the charts in 1964 when a car wreck laid him up for six months. After recuperating, Wood focused on session work and songwriting. He became a pivotal member of legendary studio crew the Memphis Boys, who were responsible for numerous hits recorded at American Sound Studio. After moving to Nashville in 1972, Wood recorded with Kris Kristofferson, Kenny Rogers, Tammy Wynette, and many others. He has played in Brooks’s studio band since the beginning of Brooks’s career. In 2012, Wood released a career-spanning autobiography, “Walking Among Giants: From Elvis to Garth: The Bobby Wood Story.”

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