DOUGLAS, Ga. (AP) – Bob Enos, who played trumpet in the band Roomful of Blues for 26 years, died at a Georgia hotel while touring with the band. He was 60.

Douglas Police Chief Clifford Thomas said Enos appeared to have died in his sleep from natural causes Friday morning, hours after playing a concert at the Douglas Country Club.

Enos’ last album with Roomful of Blues, titled “Raisin’ a Ruckus,” was released Tuesday.

Enos joined Roomful of Blues in 1981, adding the powerful soloing voice of his trumpet to the eight-piece ensemble’s punchy horn section and stylistic mix of blues, jazz, swing, R&B and soul.

Before joining Roomful of Blues, he toured with The Platters and the jazz-fusion group Channel One.

He played with the Roomful horn section on session recordings for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Pat Benatar and Colin James.

“Bob was one of a kind, a unique talent,” Roomful of Blues guitarist and bandleader Chris Vachon said in a statement. “The band obviously feels devastated. When you work as closely together as a band like Roomful does, each person is family – we’re like brothers.”

Bob Bell, who managed the band for 21 years until retiring in 2002, said Enos always wowed crowds with his ability to hit high notes on pitch. He also never let his performance slip despite demanding tour schedules that kept the band on the road up to 250 days a year.

“He was a road warrior – he’d say that proudly,” Bell said. “He’d look you in the eye and say, “This is what I do for a living.’ And in the next breath he’d say, “I’m very lucky.”‘

Despite Enos’ death, the band opted to continue its tour and headed to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for its next gig on The Legendary Blues Cruise, a seven-day Caribean concert cruise featuring multiple artists. Former bandmember John Wolfe was replacing Enos.

Bell said Enos would have wanted the band to keep going.

“It’s a way of life for these people, and just to stop and say “We can’t go on anymore’ isn’t going to get any bills paid,” Bell said. “If it had been anybody else, Bob would’ve been just as torn up but said, “Hey, this is what we’ve got to do.”‘

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On the Net:

Roomful of Blues http://www.roomful.com

AP-ES-01-15-08 1859EST