The country music world has lost some iconic names in 2025.

As we head into the homestretch, we take a moment to look back at the country music stars and influential names that have been lost thus far this year.

Check out those names below as well as the major stars and names that we lost in 2024:

Eddie Adcock

Eddie Adcock’s name might not be the first that comes to mind when it comes to country music legends, but he was a legend in his own right.

Don’t believe it? Just Google him. You can find stories calling him a “legend,” and a “master” and there are plenty of other adjectives thrown in along the way, too.

Sadly, Adcock died on March 20. He was 86.

BlueGrassToday.com called him a “five string banjo master,” while noting that he has been “suffering from multiple health issues over recent years.”

Adcock was a native of Virginia, who began performing all the way back in 1949. He joined Smokey Graves 7 His Blue Star Boys in 1953, and he played with a handful of different bands. He may be best known, though, for his time playing in The Country Gentleman. In 1996, that group became the first inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame.

“Eddie was a truly innovative artists and musician with a one-of-a-kind voice on the banjo – & any instrument he picked up,” The Blue Grass Situation posted on X.

Ed Askew

Ed Askew, a cult folk music singer/songwriter and painter, died on Jan. 4.

He was 84.

PEOPLE Magazine reported that Askew had been battling “ongoing health struggles” and had been in hospice.

“Ed was a brave gay songwriter from the beginning, and I hope more come to know this,” Jay Pluck, Askew’s manager and friend, told PEOPLE. “Ed’s music changed the lives of people from many generations and continues to do so.”

Askew was a native of Stamford, Connecticut, and according to PEOPLE he studied paining at Yale Art School. The site said Askew was called up for the draft in 1966 but ended up teaching at a prep school in Connecticut instead. It said that is when he began writing his songs.

PEOPLE said Askew released 11 albums during his career. His first album “Ask The Unicorn” came in 1968 and his final, “London” came in 2020. PEOPLE said he also “had a prolific painting career.”

Larry Bastian

Larry Bastian was one of the greatest country music song writers of all-time.

Don’t believe it?

Well, the sentiment comes from a country music legend — Garth Brooks.

“If one looks down on the list of music’s greatest writers of all time,” Brooks said, per the Porterville Record, “I couldn’t imagine the list being complete without the name of Larry Bastian.”

Brooks would know because Bastian wrote some of his biggest hits — “Unanswered Prayers” and “Rodeo.”

Bastian died on Apil 6. He was 90. No cause of death was reported.

The Record was the first to report Bastian’s death, citing his son who shared the news on Facebook.

Bastian was born in Porterville in 1934, and after graduating high school there in 1952 he worked as a biologist for 15 years, according to Billboard.com. The site said got his career as a songwriter going into the 1970s, and a remarkable career ensued.

The Record reported that Bastian contributed to a whopping 68 platinum albums and four gold records.

He wrote songs for Merle Haggard and David Frizzell, Tammy Wynette, Conway Twitty, Tracy Byrd, Sammy Kershaw, Reba McEntire, Rhett Akins, George Jones and Craig Morgan, per Billboard.

But those songs for Brooks were, perhaps, his biggest. Along with “Rodeo,” and “Unanswered Prayers,” he also wrote “I’ve Got a Good Thing Going,” The Old Man’s Back in Town,” “Cowboy Bill,” “Nobody Gets Off in This Town,” and “Man Against the Machine,” for the legendary singer.

“There was no doubt in my mind that I could write a song,” he said in an interview with ‘The Paul Leslie Hour’ in 2020. “I think you have to be that driven to succeed, and then there’s a lot of luck. They have a saying, ‘You can’t get out of the way of a hit song,’ and that’s so right.”

David Briggs

David Briggs was never the face of the song, but he was always an important part of it.

And he worked with some of the greatest to ever do it.

Sadly, his work is done, though, because the talented musician, record producer, arranger, composer and studio owner, died on April 22.

He was 82.

“David Briggs could play keyboards in any style,” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said. “For more than four decades, his deft touch graced countless country, R&B, rock, and pop recordings. He was eighteen years old when he played piano on Arthur Alexander’s epochal Muscle Shoals hit ‘You Better Move On.’

“Recruited by Nashville producer Owen Bradley, Briggs immediately became a studio fixture, enhancing records by Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and many more,” Young added. “He further shaped Music City in co-founding Quadrafonic Studio and opening his own House of David studio. He was a man of music through and through.”

Briggs reportedly took part in his first recording session at the age of 14, and he went on to work with the likes of Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Reba McEntire, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Harrison, Charley Pride and many more.

He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1999, and the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019.

Carl Dean

Country music legend Dolly Parton announced the heartbreaking news on March 6 that her husband, Carl Dean, has died.

A posted statement to her X page, said that Dean, who was 82, died in Nashville.

“He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony with immediate family attending,” the statement read. “He was survived by his siblings Sandra and Donnie.”

Parton provided a quote in the statement.

“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” she said. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”

The statement said the family asks for privacy during this time.

Parton and Dean were known for keeping their relationship out of the public eye, and they did so on purpose.

“I married a really good man, a guy that’s completely different than me,” Parton told Parade Magazine in 2015. “He’s not in show business.”

Parade reported that the duo first met at a laundromat in Nashville when Parton was just 18-years-old.

“I was surprised and delighted that while he talked to me, he looked at my face (a rare thing for me),” she wrote on her website, per Parade. “He seemed to be genuinely interested in finding out who I was and what I was about.”

Parade said the two “snuck off one weekend” about two years later to get married.

They renewed their vows in 2015.

“We just had a simple little ceremony at our chapel at our place,” she told Rolling Stone.

Billy Earheart

Billy Earheart, a piano player and organist for the Amazing Rhythm Aces, has died.

He was 71.

Earheart’s obituary said he died on May 13 “after an extended struggle with cancer.”

The Tennessee native won a Grammy Award with the “Amazing Rhythm Aces” for Best Country Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group for “The End is Not in Sight (The Cowboy Tune).”

He also played piano for Hank Williams Jr.’s Bama Band for more than 20 years, and also reportedly played with artists such as Al Green, Waylon Jennings, BB King and more.

Earheart reportedly played on more than 200 albums.

“Billy loved music early and had one year of piano lessons as a child,” his obituary read. “The piano teacher wasn’t teaching the music he wanted to play, so he taught himself.”

The obit said Earheart played his first gig in 1966 and founded the “Amazing Rhythm Aces” in 1973. The group won its Grammy in 1977.

“While playing with the Aces, Billy got to travel the world, opening for such acts as Jimmy Buffet, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, and appeared on TV shows such as Saturday Night Live and Don Kishner’s Rock Concert,” his obit said.

His obituary also noted that he had “the perfect demeanor to serve as the big brother to three younger sisters.”

“In his later years, Billy often spoke about how precious his grandchildren (also known as ‘skunkingtons’ or ‘polecats of love’) were to him,” it read.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Katherine, a son and a daughter and many grandchildren.

Mac Gayden

Mac Gayden, a popular country and rock singer and a talented songwriter, died on April 16.

He was 83.

The New York Times reported that Gayden died on Wednesday at his home in Nashville due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

The Times said that Gayden co-wrote the “pop evergreen” song “Everlasting Love,” and called him “an innovative guitarist who recorded with Bob Dylan.” It also credited him with helping Nashville become “a recording hub for artists working outside the bounds of country music.”

The publication also noted his work on “Absolutely Sweet Marie,” with Bob Dylan and “Blonde on Blonde.” It called the work his “most illustrious achievement” while pointing out that it strangely went “uncredited for decades.”

Gayden was a native of Nashville. His career began in the 1960s.

“Mac Gayden’s fingerprint was recognized at a time the world was becoming acutely aware of the blinding array, and virtuosity, of Nashville’s first-call cats,” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said. “His sheer musicality was a dazzling force, and his spirit a gift to us all.”

Tony Haselden

Tony Haselden, who rose to fame as a rocker and then transitioned into a celebrated country music songwriter, died on May 16.

He was 79. A cause of death was not reported.

Haselden joined the rock group, LeRoux, in 1978 and reportedly played with the band right up until his death. He rose to fame with the group, writing hits such as “Nobody Said It Was Easy,” in 1978, too. When LeRoux went on hiatus in 1984, Haselden moved to Nashville and became a successful country music songwriter and producer, per Taste of Country.

Among the hits he wrote were, “That’s My Story (And I’m Stick’ To It)” by Collin Raye, “It Ain’t Nothin” by Keith Whitley, and “You Know Me Better Than That,” by George Strait.

Taste of Country said many more country stars such as Shania Twain, Reba McEntire, Billy Ray Cyrus, Doug Stone, Shelby Lynne, Shenandoah, Michelle Wright and Martinia McBride recorded songs written by Haselden as well.

He was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the LMHOF Songwriters’ Association Hall of Fame in 2010, according to Taste of Country.

Flaco Jiménez

Flaco Jiménez died on July 31.

He was 86.

No cause of death was reported.

Jiménez was a six-time Grammy winner.

Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young was among those who remembered Jiménez.

“Flaco Jiménez was a paragon of conjunto music with his rich accordion playing,” Young wrote on X. “He drew us into a musical world they might not have otherwise discovered. ‘Street of Bakersfield’ by Dwight and Buck wouldn’t have been the same without his sparkling touches.”

Mark Laws

Mark Laws, the drummer for popular country music singer Alex Miller, was shot and killed on May 25 in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee.

Taste of Country reportedthat Laws’ stepson, Maxwell Madon, has been charged in his death.

Laws, 62, has worked as Miller’s drummer and band leader for the past five years, according to The Tennessean. The outlet said Laws also worked with Little Jimmy Dickens, Larry Cordle and Bill Carlilse.

Miller shared his thoughts on Instagram following Laws’ death.

“My heart is truly broke at the passing of my drummer Mark Laws,” Miller wrote. “My grandad once told me that you’ll have lots of friends in your life, but finding a (true) friend is something that is rare and special. My grandad was a true friend, and so was Mark Laws. His loss to me is devastating. Please pray for his family for me.”

WRIL-FM reported that Claiborne County Sheriff Bob Brooks said that Madon, who is 25, lived with his grandparents. Brooks said Madon got in an argument with his grandparents about cleaning his room and assaulted his grandfather. That is when, according to the sheriff, the grandmother called Laws to come to their home and help.

He told the site that Laws and Madon began arguing when he got there, and that a short time later Madon show and killed him. Brooks told the site that Madon also shot himself in the hand during the incident.

The site said he has been charged with criminal homicide and that more charges are expected to come.

Melba Montgomery

Country music legend Melba Montgomery has died, according to Taste of Country.

The site reported that Montgomery died on Jan. 15.

She was 86.

Her daughter, Melissa Solomon Barrett, posted about her death on Facebook, too.

“It is with great sadness that we announce our family has lost our mother, Melba Montgomery Solomon,” she wrote. “She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister to my uncle, sister-in-law to my aunts and aunt to my cousins. She fought a long battle with dementia but is now with her loving husband, Jack Solomon in Heaven. We know mom has been waiting to hold dad for over 10 years.

“Thank you for loving our mom as much as we have,” she added. “She was an incredibly talented, kind and generous woman.”

Taste of Country noted that Montgomery was known for her duets with the likes of George Jones and her No. 1 hit, “No Charge,” which came in 1974.

Montgomery was born in Tennessee in 1938, and she got her career going in 1958. She had 22 solo studio albums and was inducted into Nashville’s Walkway of the Stars in 1974.

George Jones’ daughter, Georgette, remembered Montgomery with a post on Facebook.

“Very sad news as yesterday the legendary Melba Montgomery passed away at age 86,” she wrote. “Melba recorded with my Dad many songs including ‘We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds.” She was an incredible singer and songwriter as well as a very sweet and wonderful person. Please join me in praying for her family and friends.”

Chad Morgan

Australian country music star Chad Morgan died on Jan. 1.

He was 91.

Morgan was called “The Sheik of Scrubby Creek.” Known for his vaudeville style, he was considered a pioneer of country music in his country.

Popculture.com said Morgan released more than 20 albums across a 70-year career.

Johnny Rodriguez

Country music legend Johnny Rodriguez died on May 9.

He was 73. No cause of death was reported.

Rodriguez reportedly died at home.

“It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Johnny Rodriguez, who left us peacefully on May 9th, surrounded by family,” his daughter, Aubry Rodriguez, wrote on Facebook. “Dad was not only a legendary musician whose artistry touched millions around the world, but also a deeply loved husband, father, uncle, and brother whose warmth, humor, and compassion shaped the lives of all who knew him.”

Rodriguez rose to fame in the 1970s and was one of the first Hispanic stars in the country music. A native of Texas, Rodriguez put together a list of hit songs including “Pass Me by (If You’re Only Passing Through) in 1973. He also had hits in “Ridin’ My Thump to Mexico,” “That’s the Way Love Goes,” I Just Can’t Get Her Out of My mind,” Just Get Up and Close the Door,” and “Love Put a Song in My Heart.”

Taste of Country noted that Rodriguez was nominated for CMA Male Vocalist of the Year and Single Record of the Year in 1973.

The site said that Rodriguez was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007.

Lulu Roman

Lulu Roman, one of the last surviving remaining members of the country music variety show “Hee Haw,” died on April 23.

She was 78.

Her son, Damon Roman, told The Hollywood Reporter that Roman died on Wednesday in Bellingham, Washington. He said she moved there

The site reported that Roman appeared on the first episode of “Hee Haw” in 1969 and on the last one in June of 1993.

Roman said she developed a drug problem in high school, but she turned her life around while starring on “Hee Haw” and became a gospel singer. She released a dozen albums across her singing career.

He big break came as she was performing in her comedy act, “Lulu Roman the World’s Biggest Go-Go Dancer.” She befriended country music star Buck Owens, who was going to star on “Hee Haw.”

“They needed one boy next door, one fat dumb man, one fat dumb woman,” Roman said in an interview last year per The Hollywood Reporter. “Buck said, ‘I got your girl! She’s in Dallas!’”

Roman left the show in 1971 after she was arrested for drug possession. The Hollywood Reporter said she said she used marijuana, speed, LSD and meth. The site said Roman converted to Christianity in 1973 and was rehired.

She released her first gospel album in 1974.

She was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

Jeannie Seely

Reba McEntire and Carly Pearce were among those who shared their heartbreak Friday following the news of country music legend Jeannie Seely’s death.

Seely, 85, died on Aug. 1 at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee due to complications from an intestinal infection.

“I’ve always loved this woman!” McEntire wrote on X while sharing a photo of herself with Dolly Parton and Seely. “She was a little spitfire, opinionated team player! Rest in peace, Jeannie.”

Reba McEntire and Carly Pearce were among those who shared their heartbreak Friday following the news of country music legend Jeannie Seely’s death.

Seely, 85, died on Friday at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee due to complications from an intestinal infection.

“I’ve always loved this woman!” McEntire wrote on X while sharing a photo of herself with Dolly Parton and Seely. “She was a little spitfire, opinionated team player! Rest in peace, Jeannie.”

Seely, a native of Titusville, Pennsylvania, revealed to People Magazine back in May that she had dealt with multiple health issues this year.

“Over the past several weeks, I’ve received so many wonderful messages of love and concern about being missed on the Grand Ole Opry and on ‘Sundays with Seely’ on Willie’s Roadhouse,” she told People then. “Thank you for those, and I assure you that I miss you just as much! Hopefully I can count on that support as I struggle through this recovery process from multiple back surgeries in March, as well as two emergency abdominal surgeries in April, followed by eleven days in the intensive care unit and a bout with pneumonia.”

Seely told People she was still focused on the future and even planned to release new music. She told the outlet she also planned to return to her SiriusXM show as well as the Grand Ole Opry stage.

“Rehab is pretty tough but each day is looking brighter and last night, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel,” she said. “And it was neon, so I knew it was mine!

“The unsinkable Seely is working her way back.”

Seely was also hospitalized last year for dehydration and diverticulitis while on a trip to Pa. And, her husband, Eugene Ward, died at the age of 92 in December.

Her love for the Grand Ole Opry began at a young age when her family would gather around the radio to listen to the shows on Saturday nights.

“I knew at 8 years old what I wanted to be,” she told People back in 2022. “And I knew I wanted to be at the Opry.”

“It is with a heavy heart we say goodbye to a true icon to us here at the Opry, Mrs. Jeannie Seely,” the Opry shared on X Friday. “Jeannie is the definition of a mentor and dear friend to many in the country music community. She fist appeared at the Opry in 1966 and while it was her first time being shoulder to shoulder with some of her heroes, she officially joined our family the next year in 1967 and has stood on that stage ever since with a special grace, sass, style, and of course — her wit and humor to top it all off.

“Having performed at the Grand Ole Opry mor than any other artists in history, 5,397 times to be exact, there’s no doubt this place was home to her,” the statement continued. “In her 57 years as an Opry member, she is recognized for changing the image of female country performers with her bold fashion statements, championed efforts to support and enhance women’s roles in the music industry and was quite proud to be the first female to host a segment of the Opry. Beyond the Opry, she became the third female artists to win a Grammy and penned chart-topping hits for herself and many others. She also regularly hosted ‘Sundays with Seely’ on Willie’s Roadhouse on Sirius XM.

“Your legacy will always live on here at the Opry House, ‘Miss Country Soul.’ We will miss you dearly.”

Buck White

Country music legend Buck White died on Jan. 13.

He was 94.

The news of his death was relayed from his four daughters by another country music legend, Ricky Skaggs, on his Facebook page.

“The Lord answered our prayers and took our daddy, Buck White, home peacefully this morning at 8:00 a.m.,” the message from the daughters — Sharon, Cheryl, Rosie and Melissa — read. “We are so thankful for his 94 years on this earth. He was a great dad who taught us by example to put Jesus first always. His great loves were the Lord, our mother, his family, and music. Most people will remember him not only for being a great musician and entertainer, but also for being fun-loving and full of mischief. He lived a full life and finished well.

White, along with his daughters Sharon and Cheryl, formed the Grammy Award-winning trio The Whites. Per Taste of Country, the group had several top 10 and Top 20 singles in the 1980s. The Whites were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1984, and in 2008 they were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

According to Taste of Country, the group was nominated for five Grammys and won two.

2024 DEATHS

Norah Lee Allen

It has been an emotional year for The Oak Ridge Boys, and things took a particularly heartbreaking turn on Easter.

According to Taste of Country, Norah Lee Allen, the wife of lead singer Duane Allen, died after battling an illness for “an extended period of time.” The site reported that she had been at Vanderbilt Hospital when she died.

Allen reportedly shared the news on social media.

“This morning, my wife of 54 years and 8 months took her last breath of air on planet Earth,” he wrote. “Norah Lee went to be with Jesus at 7:28 am, Easter morning. She had not been feeling well for some time. Her family all spent the night with her last night at Vanderbilt Hospital. We took time singing with and to her, telling her stories, and loving her every second that God let us share her here on this Earth.”

The Grand Ole Opry took time to remember Allen, too.

“During (Wednesday’s show), we paused to remember a beloved member of our Opry family we lost earlier this week, Norah Lee Allen,” a post on the Opry’s X page, formerly Twitter, read. “For decades, Norah Lee added her voice to Opry performances as one of our background vocalists, our Opry Singers.

“She was also a member of our family as the wife of Duane Allen of Opry group The Oak Ridge Boys,” the post continued. “She will be lovingly remembered by all who knew her and all who knew her voice here at the Grand Ole Opry.”

Tommy Alverson

Tommy Alverson, a legendary musician in Texas who played alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, died in November.

He was 74.

Alverson had reportedly been battling cancer prior to his death.

“I’m going to need a little while, but I’ll be posting soon,” his wife, Amy Carol, wrote on Facebook. “Until then just know that; just like the lucky ol sun, he’s got nothing to do but roll around Heaven all day.”

She had several emotional posts that followed including one of a funny video, noting that Tommy “sent me stuff like this allll the time.”

“He was my happy,” she wrote. “My person, my love … he knew everything about me and loved me anyway. A truer love never existed or ever will.”

Alverson shared the stage with a long list of notable performers including Willie Nelson.

His biggest hit, “Una Mas Cerveza,” came in 1999. It was that song that reportedly allowed Alverson, who was a long-time Miller Brewing employee, to chase country music full-time.

Alverson was considered a legend on the country scene in Texas for the way he championed bands and artists as well for his own talents, and news of his death quickly spread with tributes across social media.

Joe Bonsall

Another heartbreaking loss for The Oak Ridge Boys was longtime member Joe Bonsall who died in July.

Bonsall, who was 76, passed away due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

The band shared an obit post to its X, formerly Twitter, account announcing his death.

“As a 50-year member of the American music group The Oak Ridge Boys, Joe was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and inducted into the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame,” the post read.

You can see that post and the responses here.

Bonsall retired from touring with the band in January.

Fran Boyd

Fran Boyd, a country music groundbreaker and champion of the genre, died on March 9.

She was 84.

Billboard said that Boyd “played a key role in shaping and advancing the (Academy of Country Music) from its early years in California in the late 1960s, through the start of the millennium.”

Boyd was reportedly the first paid employee of the ACM, coming onboard in 1968 as executive secretary. She worked her way all the way up to executive director. Per Billboard, she “oversaw nearly every aspect of the annual (ACM) awards” show.

She worked for the ACM for more than three decades before retiring in 2002.

The Academy of Country Music posted on X, formerly Twitter, regarding Boyd’s death.

You can see that post, here.

“Fran Boyd played an essential part in the Academy’s history, stretching way back to the 1960s and steering the ship through decades of change, innovation, and growth, all while fostering an incredible passion for country music,” Gayle Holcomb, ACM Board Sergeant-At-Arms told Billboard. “Fran will always be remembered as a champion for our industry, its artists, and this organization. On behalf of the ACM Officers and Board of Directors, I send our gratitude, prayers and condolences to the Boyd family.”

“I am now at a point where walking is impossible, so I have basically retired from the road,” he reportedly said. “It has just gotten too difficult. It has been a great 50 years, and I am thankful to all the Oak Ridge Boys band crew and staff for the constant love and support shown to me through it all. I will never forget, and for those of you have been constantly holding me up in prayer, I think you and ask for you to keep on praying.”

He returned to social media to address fans after that initial announcement.

“I am overwhelmed by the love shown to me this week,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I think I have heard from everyone I have ever known and many many more …. Thank you doesn’t seem adequate … but THANK YOU.”

Tommy Cash

Just about everybody on the planet knows Johnny Cash.

Not quite as many know Tommy Cash, but the country music legend’s younger brother was beloved in his own right, putting together a long career that spanned from 1965 through 2016.

Sadly, the younger Cash died in September, according to multiple reports. He was 84.

The Johnny Cash Museum announced his death in a statement.

“I knew him for over 50 years,” Johnny Cash Museum founder Bill Miller said via a representative, according to Taste of Country. “Tommy Cash was a loyal supporter of the Johnny Cash Museum and a very beloved member of our extended family as well as a highly respected member of the music industry. This great man will be deeply missed by his friends and many loyal fans around the world.

“Please keep Tommy’s beloved wife, Marcy, and his family in your prayers.”

Taste of Country said that Tommy Cash was born in 1940, and after high school he joined the Army and became a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio network.

The site said Tommy’s music career began playing with Hank Williams Jr. before he signed a record deal in 1965, and that after Johnny’s death in 2003, he became an ambassador for the family legacy.

His death on Sept. 13 came one day after Johnny died 21 years earlier.

Don Cason

Singer, hit songwriter, producer and author Buzz Cason died in June.

He was 84. No cause of death was reported.

“Buzz Cason never concerned himself too much with musical boundaries,” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said. “He just lived and breathed music. As a singer, songwriter, producer, and publisher, he helped shape and expand the sound of Nashville in countless ways across seven decades.”

Cason’s career in music began in the 1960s when he helped found The Casuals, known as Nashville’s first rock band. He then pursued a solo career and went on to sing backup vocals for the likes of Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, John Denver and Roy Orbison, according to Taste of Country.

As a songwriter and producer he combined with the likes of Dolly Parton, the Oak Ridge Boys, Martina McBride, Mel Tillis and Jimmy Buffett. His biggest hit song, “Everlasting Love,” was co-written with Mac Gayden. Taste of Country said that song is one of the few to make the Billboard Hot 100 in four consecutive decades.

Larry Collins

Larry Collins, a former country music child star turned legendary guitarist and song writer, died on Jan. 5.

He was 79. Per reports, Collins died of natural causes.

He first made his splash in country music alongside his older sister, Lorrie, when they formed the “The Collins Kids” duo when Larry was just 9 years old. They recorded a series of hits — “Hop, Skip and Kump,” “Hoy Hoy,” and “Beetle Bug Bop” — with music catering to children. The became regulars on “Town Hall Party” in 1954 and they performed together into the 60s.

Per reports, Lorrie had her first child in 1961 and stepped away from music to focus on family. The duo did reunite years later in the 90s.

While Lorrie, who died in 2018, focused on building her family, Larry moved on to a solo career where he made, perhaps, his biggest mark as a songwriter. He is credited as the co-writer for “Delta Dawn,” which became Tanya Tucker’s first hit song among other songs.

Allison Cornell

Allison Cornell died in February.

She was a part of Shania Twain’s band for years.

“Allison Cornell was such a talented and wonderful person,” Twain wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “It was a privilege, as an artist, to have her on stage with me through a lot of my touring career. Feeling very sad. Allison’s memory will live on but sadly another beautiful human has gone too soon. Rest in Peace (heart emoji).”

A post on Cornell’s artist management page also addressed her death.

“It is with great sadness that we say farewell to Allison Shropshire Cornell,” the post began. “Rest in Peace. Heaven has opened up its gates to an incredible talent!”

Zeke Dawson

The country music world has lost another legendary performer in November.

And while Zeke Dawson’s name might not be one that everyone knows, he was a legend nonetheless. Dawson wasn’t a singer after all, but he could play the fiddle like just about nobody else could, and he was the fiddle player for Loretta Lynn in her Coal miner Band for nearly a decade.

Dawson, 84, was a native of Prince George’s County, Maryland, and he began playing the fiddle professionally when he was just 12-years-old, the site reported.

He lived a full life.

That included serving in the United States Army, his long stint with Lynn, and playing alongside George Jones and on the Grand Ole Opry.

“Every member of Loretta’s Coal miner Band was like family to her,” Lynn’s X account shared. “Zeke Dawson was with her for nearly a decade. He will be missed by the entire Lynn family. This week, we are sending our love to his family.”

David Thornhill, the led guitarist for Lynn, also posted on Facebook about Dawson’s death.

“Sorry to say, but we lost another ‘COALMINER’ this morning,” he wrote. “Zeke Dawson who was Lorretta’s fiddle player from 1974 for 9 years, passed away this morning at 1;00 AM. Zeke was my roommate on the road, and quite a unique person. He was always in a happy mood and kept things lively on the road. He will greatly be missed. RIP my great friend.”

Gene Elders

Gene Elders, a longtime fiddle player in Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait’s legendary Ace in the Hole Band, died in March.

It was the second heartbreaking death to rock Strait in a day’s time after his manager, Erv Woolsey, also passed away.

“Hard to believe we lost two of our music family members on the same day,” Strait posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Our Ace in the Hole treasured band member Gene Elders passed away yesterday afternoon shortly after we lost Erv. All of our prayers go out to both families. We loved him so much.”

Elders’ website said he played in Strait’s band since 1984. It said he also played in Lyle Lovett’s Large Band for 11 years, and also played on recordings for Joan Baez, Lucinda Williams and Dan Fogelberg.

Fans took to social media following the news to remember Elders.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to watch Gene Elders play that haunting fiddle outro on ‘Amarillo By Morning’ live several times,” one person wrote. “The arena goes dark except for a long spotlight on Gene, it sends chills every time. RIP Gene Elders.”

“Today was a devastating day for the Strait camp,” another person wrote. “Our hearts are hurting. Rest in Peace Gene Elders. Rest in Peace Erv Woolsey. We will miss you both.”

Tom Foote

George Strait revealed in May that a member of his operation had died for the third time this year.

The latest death was Tom Foote, a former drummer for Strait’s Ace in the Hole band and the singer’s longtime road manager.

The singer announced the death on X, formerly Twitter.

“We lost another one of our good friends and a huge part of our musical journey yesterday,” Strait wrote. “Tom Foote, our one-time drummer and long-time road manager for around 48 years, suddenly passed away at his home after our rehearsal. The band and I were with him most of the afternoon, and he was great. Just doing what he loved to do which was making sure we were taken care of. 2024 is taking its toll on the Ace in the Hole group. We’re all heartbroken to say the least. Rest in peace brother Tom. You will be hugely missed. I’ll see you down the road amigo.”

Foote was reportedly the drummer for a band that hired Strait to be its new singer back in 1975. That band eventually became the Ace in the Hole Band. He reportedly stayed on as drummer through 1983 when he moved into his role as road manager.

“So sorry to hear this,” one person responded to Strait. “Prayers for peace and comfort!”

“My prayers for his family and yours,” another wrote.

“I’m so sorry about your (loss),” another wrote. “This year has really been a trying year for you and your group king George. My prayers are with you all. Hold on … keeping playing that true country music. Your long time fans love it. Prayers going up.”

And there were plenty more responses like that. You can see them here.

Foote’s death comes after Gene Elders, a longtime fiddle player in Strait’s Ace in the Hole Band, and Erv Woolsey, his manager, both died within a day of one another back in March.

Kinky Friedman

Kinky Friedman was a legend, and if you don’t believe it, just check the headlines.

Friedman, 79, died in June. H

e had reportedly been battling Parkinson’s disease for years.

He was a country music singer. He ran to be the governor of Texas. He wrote books. He wrote songs. He was a satirist. One story described him as a “rabble rouser.”

And his name … well, the guy was unique.

“Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family & friends,” a post to his X, formerly Twitter account, said on Thursday. “Kinkster endured tremendous pain and unthinkable loss in recent years but he never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit. Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung.”

A close friend of Friedman’s, Kent Perkins, told The Associated Press that he “died peacefully.”

“He smoked a cigar, went to bed and never woke up,” he said.

Perkins called Friedman “the last free person on earth.”

“He had an irreverence about him,” he said. “He was a fearless writer.”

As a performer he toured with the likes of Bob Dylan.

He put out 18 albums, the first coming in 1973 and the last dropping in 2018.

William “Rusty” Golden

William “Rusty” Golden, the son of legendary Oak Ridge Boys performer William Lee Golden, died on July 1.

He was 65.

He died at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee, according to a press release shared by the band.

“This is the hardest thing ever for a father to have to face,” William Lee Golden said in the release. “I love my family more than anything. Rusty was a great musician, a talented songwriter, and a wonderful son. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the days ahead. I love you, son.”

Rusty Golden followed in his father’s footsteps as a musician, singer and songwriter. He even earned an RIAA Gold record as a songwriter on The Oak Ridge Boys’ Bobbie Sue album.

He moved into gospel music later in life after undergoing a quadruple bypass.

William Lee Golden also posted on his X account, formerly Twitter, about his son’s death.

“We thank you all for your love and support of Rusty over the years and kindly ask for privacy for our family during this difficult time,” he wrote.

You can read more about his life and accolades here.

Wayland Holyfield

Wayland Holyfield might not be a name that most country music fans know, but that probably should not be the case.

Because the guy was an icon.

Holyfield died in May. He was 82.

So, what made Holyfield so iconic in the country music world?

Well, the guy was one of the greatest songwriters the genre has ever seen. Holyfield helped write 14 No. 1 hits and had more than 40 songs reach the Top 10 during his time, according to Taste of Country.

The site said Holyfield wrote songs for some of country music’s most legendary performers including George Strait, George Jones, the Judds, Brooks & Dunn, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Waylon Jennings, Conway Twitty “and many more.”

“Wayland Holyfield — who died May 6 — wrote sons of unflagging devotion, including the Don Williams hit “You’re My Best Friend” and Anne Murray’s “Could I Have this Dance,” the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Holyfield was devoted to his wife, to the craft of songwriting, and to advocating for the rights of his peers.”

Mark James

Mark James, a legendary songwriter and hitmaker, died on June 8.

He was 83.

James, who was a Houston native, died on June 8 at his home in Nashville.

James won a pair of Grammys in 1983 for his “Always on My Mind,” which was performed by Willie Nelson. He also wrote the hits, “Hooked on a Feeling,” and “Suspicious Minds.” He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

“Mark’s legacy and zest for life will live on in the hearts of those who loved him; and through his timeless lyrics and melodies that have been the soundtrack of lovers for generations,” his family said according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Along with being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he was also named by BMI as one of the Songwriters of the Century for 2000. He is also a member of the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame, the New York Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, according to the Hollywood Observer.

Along with Nelson, James wrote hits for the likes of Elvis Presley, B.J. Thomas and Brenda Lee.

Toby Keith

Toby Keith died on Feb. 5 following a battle with stomach cancer.

He was 62.

It was tragic news, especially, for a man who battled so bravely such a horrible disease, but if there’s any solace to be found for his fans, it could be in some of his final words. Because, in his final days, Keith sat down with News 9 in Oklahoma to talk about his journey.

He was noticeably thinner as he talked about battling cancer, gave his thoughts on dying and, yes, even talked about death.

He called cancer a “long dark hallway,” but he also approached the subject in a way that only a man at complete peace could. And that is something he pinned on faith.

“You take it for granted on the days that things are good, and you lean on it when days are bad,” he said. “It has taught me to lean on it a little more every day.”

And that is when Keith talked about thinking about, at times, the possibility that he might die.

“I was going through all the chemo, radiation, surgery, and I got to the point where I was comfortable with whatever happened,” he said. “I had my brain wrapped around it, and I was in a good spot either way.”

That, he said, was a point that people with faith are not able to so easily get to.

So, if there is any comfort in news like this, perhaps it is that Keith had faith. And, mentally, he was prepared and comforted by his faith.

Kris Kristofferson

Country music legend and actor Kris Kristofferson died in September, according to multiple reports.

He was 88.

PEOPLE Magazine reported that a representative for Kristofferson said he died “peacefully” at his home in Maui, surrounded by family.

“Kris Kristofferson believed creativity is God-given, and those who ignore such a gift are doomed to unhappiness,” Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young said in a statement. “He preached that a life of the mind gives voice to the soul, and his work gave voice not only to his soul but to ours. He leaves a resounding legacy.”

His family also issued a statement to PEOPLE.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Krisofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home,” the statement read. “We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”

Kristofferson lived a colorful live. According to his website, he had two short stories — “Gone Are The Days,” and “The Rock,” — published in Atlantic Monthly when he was just 18. PEOPLE said he attended Pomona College in 1954 where he played football while also becoming a Golden Gloves boxer and working as the sports editor at the college’s newspaper. He was featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces In the Crowd” section in 1958, and PEOPLE said he was a Rhodes Scholar who got a master’s for Oxford’s Merton College in English literature in 1960.

He was just getting started.

As noted by PEOPLE, he joined the Army and became a helicopter pilot, and then in 1965 he stepped away from the Army to pursue music. He became a renowned songwriter with credits such as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “For the Good Times,” “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” and “Help Me Make It Through the night,” that became hits for other performers.

He made more waves in the country music world in 1985 when he joined Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings to form the supergroup, the Highwaymen.

Aside from his talent in the music world, he also had a long list of credits as an actor including “A Star Is Born” for which he earned a Golden Globe Award for best actor in 1976.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

Dave Loggins

Dave Loggins, a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter who wrote songs for some of the biggest names in music, died in July.

He was 76. No cause of death has been reported.

As a singer, Loggins was best known for his 1974 hit, “Please Come to Boston,” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 that year. It was the first of his four Grammy nominations.

He is also known for “Augusta,” which is the theme song for the Masters golf tournament.

While he was a talented singer, Billboard called him “one of the most prolific songwriters of his generation.”

The site noted that Loggins wrote for the likes of Johnny Cash, Roby Keith, Wynonna Judd, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Reba McEntire, Tanya Tucker, Kenny Rogers and Willie Nelson.

“I just heard about the passing of Dave Loggins,” Lee Greenwood wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Dave was an incredible singer, guitar player, and a writer. It was his music that drew me to Nashville, Tennessee in 1979. Dave was from Bristol, TN, but he made the world know who he was by the songs he wrote and sang. We will miss his great talent, but his songs will live forever. We send prayers of healing and comfort to the Loggins family. I’m the number one fan of the man from Tennessee.”

Mary Martin

Mary Martin might not be a name that the average country music fan would know, but it should be because she had a major influence on the industry.

The manager and executive, who helped create stars in the genre, died on July 4.

She was 85.

Time and again, Mary Martin spotted great talents and elevated their careers,” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said in a statement posted to Instagram. “Early on, she connected Bob Dylan to her friends the Hawks, who became the Band. She managed Leonard Cohen in his first musical outings, the guided the budding solo careers of Van Morrison, Rodney Crowell, and Vince Gill. At Warner Bros., she signed future Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris, at RCA she helped sign and develop Clint Black and Lorrie Morgan, and she encouraged a young Keith Urban to move from Australia to Nashville. Mary’s unerring feel for songs and performers was legendary, and she was a fierce ally for the artists she represented.”

“The greatest lady in music you probably never heard about,” one person responded. “Half of the people represented in my music collection probably benefited from her insight, intelligence and uncanny musical sense.”

Mojo Nixon

The headline in Rolling Stone called Mojo Nixon an “unabashed outlaw cult hero,” and if you dig into the story you quickly find out that’s just about a perfect way to sum the guy up.

Nixon was one heckuva interesting guy.

He died on Feb. 7 at the age of 66, and even how he went was out of the ordinary. He was a host aboard the Outlaw Country Cruise and his family said he suffered a “cardiac event,” that took his life.

“How you should live is how you should die,” the family told Rolling Stone. “Mojo Nixon was full-tilt, wide-open rock hard, root hog, corner on two wheels + on fire. Passing after a blazing show, a raging night, closing the bar, taking no prisoners + a good breakfast with bandmates and friends.

“A cardiac event on the Outlaw Country Cruise is about right… & that’s just how he did it, Mojo has left the building,” they added. “Since Elvis is everywhere, we know he was waiting for him in the alley out back. Heaven help us all.”

Rolling Stone wrote that Nixon “enjoyed a supremely weird yet singular career.”

His big break came in 1987 with his hit novelty song “Elvis is Everywhere,” that became a regular on MTV.

He put out six albums alongside Skid Roper, and five more solo projects. He also served as a DJ for SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country for years, too.

Sandy Posey

Beloved country music and pop singer Sandy Posey died in July.

She was 80.

She reportedly died at her home on Saturday in Tennessee after a battle with dementia.

Her husband, Wade Cummins, told TMZ that she had “a slow decline over the past seven years.”

He told the site she was the love of his life.

Posey was born in 1944 in Jasper, Alabama, and she began her career in 1965. She quickly turned out a string of hits including “Born a Woman” and “Single Girl.”

“Born a Woman” reached the 12-spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966 and sold over a million copies. “Single Girl” also reached the 12-spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967.

She also recorded hits “What a Woman in Love Won’t Do,” “I Take It Back” and “Can’t Get Used to Sleeping Without You.”

She also did session work for Elvia Pressley and recorded with famed producer Billy Sherrill, according to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Hugh Prestwood

Hugh Prestwood might not be a name that most country music fans know, but it should be because he was truly a legend at his craft.

Prestwood, a songwriter who authored hits for some of country music’s best, died in September after he reportedly suffered a stroke.

He was 82.

“Hugh Prestwood, who wrote major hits, including Randy Travis’ ‘Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart’ and Trisha Yearwood’s ‘The Song Remembers When,’ died on September 22,” the Country Music Hall of Fame wrote in a post on X. “The Texas native, who composed his work solo, was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.”

Yearwood also wrote about Prestwood’s death on social media.

“Hugh Prestwood was a poet,” she wrote. “‘The Song Remembers When’ is one of the greatest songs ever written, and I’m the lucky girl who got to sing it. It paints the beautiful picture of the power of music.

“We’re all luck that Hugh decided to be a writer,” she continued. “I will miss his voice.”

John Wesley Ryles

John Wesley Ryles might not be a name that many modern country music fans know, but he certainly had his time at the top of the industry.

His career got off to a start in the 1960s when he was still a teenager and he ran off a string of hits through the 1980s.

Sadly, that one-time teen star died on Nov. 2. He was 74.

His death was first announced on social media by Tracy Pitcox, owner of Hart of Texas Records.

“At age 17, he made his debut in 1968 with the single “Kay,” a Top Ten hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts, and the title track to his debut album for Columbia Records,” Pitcox wrote. “Ryles later recorded one album, Reconsider Me, for the Plantation label, which produced a No. 39 single in its title track. It was followed by two non-album singles, ‘Tell It Like It Is’ and ‘When a Man Loves a Woman,’ both on the Music Mill label in 1976.

“He then moved to Dot records,” the post continued. “His first single on ABC/Dot, ‘Fool,’ made it to No. 18 on the Hot Country chart followed by his highest-peaking single, the No. 5 ‘Once in a Lifetime Thing.’ When that label merged with MCA Records, he issued the album Let the Night Begin there. The first single, ‘Liberated Woman’ climbed to No. 14 on the Billboard Hot Country chart. It was followed by a rendition of ‘Always on My Mind,’ which went to #20 on the Billboard Hot Country chart. The last song released from this album, ‘Perfect Strangers,’ reached No. 24 on the Billboard Chart.”

Pitcox wrote that since the release of his last single in 1988, Ryles has worked as a background vocalist and in the production side of the industry.

Country singer Mark Willis also posted about Ryles’ death.

“We lost a GIANT in the music industry,” he wrote. “John Wesley Ryles sang more harmonies on records, that to the listener, sounded like the artist themselves! He could blend with ANYBODY! John sang on my first four records and always had a flawless blend with the lead vocal. It was perfect. My condolences to Joni and his entire family! Please lift them up in prayer.”

Parade Magazine noted that Ryles became “one of Nashville’s most in-demand background vocalists,” after 1988. The outlet reported that he worked with the likes of Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Randy Travis and Blake Shelton.

He was married to Joni Lee, the daughter of country music icon Conway Twitty.

Joe Scaife

Legendary country music hitmaker Joe Scaife died in June, according to The Tennessean.

He was 68. No cause of death was given.

According to Taste of Country, Scaife produced such hits as “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson, and Billy Ray Cyrus’ mega-hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.” The site said he also helped K.T. Oslin, Montgomery Gentry, Shania Twain and Toby Keith, among others, deliver hits.

The Tennessean said he helped deliver records that sold more than 80 million copies.

“You were the coolest hang there ever was,” his daughter, Jaela Scaife Harris, wrote on Facebook. “Anyone who knows me know that there is no one in the world I love more than Joe Scaife. Words will never do him justice. He was the absolute coolest, most down to earth, incredible dad I could have ever asked for. I don’t know how I am going to make it without him, but I know he is going wide open on his boat in heaven. I love you so much daddy and I can’t wait to see you again. Happy first Father’s Day in Heaven.”

You can see her post here.

In a separate post she thanked everyone “who has helped us through this difficult time.”

“There will be a celebration of life at a later date on Music Row,” she added.

Billy Sherrill

Country music fans might not know Billy Sherrill’s voice, but they surely know his work.

The legendary Nashville engineer worked with the likes of Kenny Rogers, Kenny Chesney and the Chicks, per Taste of Country.

Sherrill died in September, according to the site, at the age of 77.

The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum posted about his death on X saying it was “deeply saddened by the passing of 2019 inductee, engineer Billy Sherrill.”

“His impact on the industry will never be forgotten,” the Hall of Fame wrote.

Taste of Country reported that Sherrill made his way to Nashville in the early 1970s and eventually engineered for the likes of Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, John Denver, Mickey Gilley and more.

The site said that, along with producer Larry Butler, Sherrill helped Kenny Rogers pump out a list of hits that included the iconic song, “The Gambler.” Working with Chesney, Taste of Country wrote, Sherrill helped produce the hit, “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” and then did the Chick’s “Fly” album.

No cause of death has been reported.

Margo Smith

Margo Smith might not be a name that most young country music fans know, but if you Google her you will see “legend” right there next to her name.

Sadly, the headlines will also mention that she has died at the age of 84. According to multiple reports, Smith actually passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 23. A cause of death has not been reported.

Smith was reportedly a kindergarten teacher in Ohio for around a decade before her career took off.

Known as “The Tennessee Yodeler,” she then churned out 18 studio albums between 1971 and 2005.

Smith was named ASACP Country Artist of the Year in 1979 and won the CCMA Living Legend Award in 2001.

The Academy of Country Music tweeted Monday about her death.

“Please join the Academy in mourning the passing of Country star Margo Smith,” it said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. “Nominated for ACM Most Promising Female Vocalist in 1976, she had two #1 hits in the 1970s: “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” and “It Only Hurts for a Little While.” Boasting a show-stopping talent for yodeling, she was known as “The Tennessee Yodeler.” We send our love and healing to her family, friends and fans.”

Jo-El Sonnier

Jo-El Sonnier might not be a name that most fans of modern country music would know well but read up and it doesn’t take long to realize the guy was a legend.

Check out the videos of performances and it becomes obvious, too, that seeing him perform in person was a high-energy affair.

He put his heart and soul into a show, and apparently, he did that right up until the end. Sonnier died back on Jan. 13, and now new details are being reported and it turns out he actually died after a performance.

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Executive Director Mike Shepard told WWL Radio New Orleans that the 77-year-old Sonnier “died doing what he loved.”

“Jo-EL’s death on stage after a successful encore is actually the only way a musician should go out,” he said.

The station reported that Sonnier, a singer/songwriter who played the accordion, had a long list of accolades that included a Grammy in 2015 and an ACM Male Vocalist of the Year nomination. He was reportedly inducted into seven different Music Hall of Fames and worked as a studio musician for a long list of stars including Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash.

“He loved the idea of being honored for his music,” Shepard told WWL, “being honored for what he loved to do, pure as his heart.”

Roni Stoneman

Country music legend Roni Stoneman died on Feb. 22.

She was 85. No cause of death was given.

While her name may not be familiar to modern-day country music fans, Stoneman was known as the “first lady of the banjo,” and was a popular performer on the hit TV show, “Hee Haw.”

Stoneman was a native of Washington, D.C.

She was the daughter of Ernest “Pop” Stoneman, who was reportedly one of the first performers to make a career of recording country music.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and CEO Kyle Young said country music was “a birthright and her life’s work.”

“The second youngest of 23 children born to Hattie and Ernest ‘Pop” stoneman, Roni was an integral part of a bedrock country music family, who were longtime fixtures in the country music scene of Washington D.C.” Young said. “For 18 years on ‘Hee Haw,’ she stole scenes as both a skillful banjo player and as a comical, gap-toothed country character. She was a great talent and a strong woman.”

Banjo News said Stoneman said she glued picks to her fingers so she could play the banjo faster.

Jeremy Tepper

Jeremy Tepper, a legend in the country music world, died on June 14.

He was 60.

Tepper reportedly suffered a heart attack. Variety reported that his wife, singer Laura Cantrell, announced that he died on social media.

Tepper occupied multiple roles across his years, working as a musician, journalist, executive and finally the program director of SiriusXM’s “Outlaw Country,” according to Variety.

“Jeremy Tepper, a beloved member of SiriusXM, profoundly influenced us with his unwavering dedication to music and innovative spirit,” SiriusXM said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter. “His contributions, in shaping Outlaw Country and Willie’s Roadhouse, are beyond measure. Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this time.”

Stevie Van Zandt also posted on X following Tepper’s death.

“Lost my good friend Jeremy Tepper last night,” he wrote. “An incredibly tragic loss so young. He ran my Outlaw Country station on SiriusXM brilliantly. It is actually quite a complicated format and he made it look easy. Our deepest condolences to Laura and his family and friends.”

Variety referred to Tepper as a “music lifer.” According to the site, that trek began when he was the frontman for the band World Famous Blue Jays and then co-founded the record label, Diesel Only, in 1990. He also served as the country music critic for Pulse! Magazine and was the editor of the Journal of Country Music, per Variety.

The site said he had been the format manager for SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel since 2004. It noted that he also worked with the “Willie’s Roadhouse” and “Road Dog Trucking” channels.

Pete Wade

Legendary country music guitarist Pete Wade died in August.

He was 89.

No cause of death was reported, but his obituary said he died with his family by his side.

Wade played with The Nashville A-Team, a name given to a group of musicians who were popular and played together from the 1950s through the 1970s. The group backed many legendary musicians, and Taste of Country said that Wade was known for playing on Ray Price’s “Crazy Arms” and George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”

The site said Wade, who was a native of Norfolk, Virginia, moved to Nashville at the age of 19 to chase his music dreams. He began playing in Price’s band at the Grand Ole Opry, per Taste of Country, and also played with Kitty Wells, Jean Shepard and Roger Miller, and was also a member of the Grand Ole Opry’s house band.

He also reportedly played on hit songs for the likes of Charley Pride, Reba McEntire, John Anderson, Loretta Lynn and Tanya Tucker.

Billy Edd Wheeler

Billy Edd Wheeler died in September at 91.

His daughter, Lucy, announced his death with a post to his Facebook page.

“We love you Dad,” she wrote. “You will be missed by so many but also forever remembered by all the gifts you gave to this world.”

She also shared a post about Wheeler’s death from Grammy winner Janis Ian.

“One of the greatest little-known artists on earth; an amazing songwriter, author, playwright, sculptor, painter, you name it,” Ian wrote.

Wheeler was a West Virginia native, who also wrote musicals, books and plays.

He also had his own albums, but he was best known for his songwriting ability, and he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. He was also a member of the North Carolina Hall of Fame and the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.

He was credited with writing a string of hits including Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash’s “Jackson,” and Kenny Rogers’ “Coward of the County.”

He also reportedly wrote songs for the likes of Elvis Presley and Neil Young.

“Billy Edd Wheeler could pack an entire cinematic experience into a few minutes in songs like ‘Coward of the County’ or ‘Jackson,’” Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young said in a statement. “His writing had the power to do what only the best works can: transport the listener.”

Erv Woolsey

Legendary country music figure Eugene Ervine “Erv” Woolsey died in May.

He was 80.

Woolsey reportedly died from complications following surgery, according to multiple reports.

While Woolsey may not be known to country music fans as an artist, he was one of the genre’s most influential managers. Most notably, he was the long-time manager of Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait, as well as stars Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Ronnie Milsap and Clay Walker.

Strait posted about Woolsey on X, formerly Twitter.

“My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer, Erv Woolsey, passed away this morning,” he wrote. “He had complications from surgery and just couldn’t overcome it. He was a very tough man, and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much. We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won’t ever be the same without him.”

According to a Billboard report, Woolsey worked for several labels before moving to Nashville in 1973 and become the head of promotions for ABC Records. The site said that Woolsey helped guide the careers of several top artists there, but it was during his time as the owner of The Prairie Rose, a club in Texas, that he first met Strait and began to book him for regular shows at there.

Billboard said Woolsey worked for MCA in the 1980s and helped artists such as Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty and the Oak Ridge Boys find radio success. And, then in 1981, he reportedly got MCA records to sign Strait.

He wasn’t just a manager, though.

Per Billboard, Woolsey did write “I Too Deep” for Strait and also had a hot country chart topper that he wrote, “I Can Still Make Cheyenne.”

Arch Yancey

Arch Yancey, a Country Radio Hall of Famer, died in March.

He was 88. No cause of death was reported.

Country Air Check reported that Yancey died on Monday.

The site said that Yancey got his first break way back in 1955 when he beat out Johnny Cash for a job at WBIP in Boonesville, Mississippi. The site reported that just three years later, Yancey was at Top 40 KNUZ-AM in Houston.

He reportedly spent 31 years on the air before retiring in 1989.

Country Air Check reported that, among his awards, he won Gavin Country Personality of the Year in 1971 and was ACM Personality of the Year in 1982.

It said he was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2006.

“It was one big blur of good times,” Yancey said back in 2005 of his career. “