Doug Atwell; Musician

Doug Atwell, a longtime musician who was twice named “Fiddler of the Year” by the California Country Music Assn., has died in Kissimmee, Fla., where he was performing at Disney World. He was 47.

A Burbank resident, Atwell died Thursday, apparently of a heart attack, said his fiancee, Linda Dayhoff.

Born James Douglas Atwell in Ontario, Ore., Atwell began playing the fiddle at age 5. He attended Gonzaga University in Spokane on a full scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. In college, he was a member of the Spokane Symphony and after graduation taught music for three years at public schools in Washington state.

Atwell came to California in the early 1970s. An electric five-string viola specialist, Atwell was a member of the Palomino Riders in the late 1970s and early 1980s and afterward played with the Western Union Band for eight years, which included three years of touring with Johnny Lee.

He was also a regular performer with the Horace Heidt Jr. Band at Los Angeles Raiders football games.

Atwell was the featured fiddle player on recent albums by Horace Heidt Jr. Band, Greg Harris, Mason Williams, Lucinda Williams and Carlene Carter.

He was named “Fiddler of the Year” by the California Country Music Assn. in 1984 and 1991.

A member of the Screen Actors Guild, Atwell appeared on television shows including “Love American Style,” “General Hospital,” and “The Tracy Ullman Show” and in the 1991 movie “The Rocketeer.”

Atwell is survived by his sons, Joseph Curtis Atwell and Ty Logan Atwell, both of Littleton, Colo.; father James H. Atwell of Manchester, Wash.; and brother David L. Atwell of Bremerton, Wash. His mother, Ruby, died in 1984.

A funeral, with burial to follow, is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pendleton-Gilchrist Funeral Home in Port Orchard, Wash.

A benefit concert for Atwell is planned from noon to 6 p.m. at the Cowboy Boogie Co. in Anaheim.