The country music world experienced a wave of grief in 2024 as several prominent singers, influencers, and industry figures passed away. This article highlights some of the most notable losses, including Norah Lee Allen, wife of The Oak Ridge Boys lead singer Duane Allen, and legendary Texas musician Tommy Alverson.
In this April 12, 2019, file photo, Kris Kristofferson performs in concert at The American Music Theatre in Lancaster, Pa.
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.Another heartbreaking loss for The Oak Ridge Boys was longtime member Joe Bonsall who died in July.The band shared an obit post to its X, formerly Twitter, account announcing his death.
“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.
“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.”
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.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.
It was the second heartbreaking death to rock Strait in a day’s time after his manager, Erv Woolsey, also passed away.“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.”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.
He was a country music singer. He ran to be the governor of Texas. He wrote books. He wrote songs. He was a satirist. Onea post to his X, formerly Twitter account, said on Thursday. “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.
“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,”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.
“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.”“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.
“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.
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.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.”
Prestwood, a songwriter who authored hits for some of country music’s best, died in September after he reportedly suffered a stroke.“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.
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.Known as “The Tennessee Yodeler,” she then churned out 18 studio albums between 1971 and 2005. 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.
“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.”Tepper reportedly suffered a heart attack.
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