JT’s longtime backup singer Valerie Carter died March 3 in St. Petersburg, Florida at the age of 64. She performed live with JT for many years and appeared on at least five of his studio and live albums. She had also performed with a long list of major pop and rock stars as a backup and studio performer during her long career. In recent years Carter had struggled with drug problems, leading to JT attending her drug court graduation in 2011 in a show of support. A cause of death was not made public.

For more background be sure to read Laura Stegman’s circa 2001 JTO feature interview with Carter.