Touring Veteran Randy ‘Baja’ Fletcher Dies; Was First CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Winner

Courtesy of the Country Music Association – Randy ‘Baja’ Fletcher

Touring veteran Randy “Baja” Fletcher, the first recipient of the Country Music Association’s Touring Lifetime Achievement Award, died today, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern announced.

He was critically injured in a recent fall at a show site, according to Music Row. 

Fletcher was a longtime tour production manager and worked with artists including ZZ Top, Waylon Jennings, Randy Travis, Brooks & Dunn and most recently with Keith Urban.

“Today our community is mourning a leader and mentor to many in our industry,” Trahern said in a statement. “Our hearts are with his daughters and family, as well as his numerous road families through the years. His influence has reached generations of artists and crew personnel. He played an integral role in some of Country’s most pioneering tours and supported the careers of some of the most celebrated Country Music icons. His impact is far-reaching. He will be dearly missed.”

Fletcher received the inaugural CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 and two years later was named Production Manager of the Year.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam, Fletcher started a 10-year run with Waylon Jennings in 1978. He also toured during that time with Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Willie Nelson and more. He began working with Randy Travis in 1988, on the singer’s first headlining tour, and became Brooks & Dunn’s production manager for 18 years starting in 1992, according to Music Row.