Paying Tribute To The Members Of The Country Music Community Who Passed Away In 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, this “In Memoriam” list is an ode to the country stars we lost. Absolute icons such as Toby Keith and Kris Kristofferson were among those who passed away in 2024, sparking emotional tributes from their fellow artists.

Sadly, the country music community also lost many beloved “friends” in 2024. It only seems right to honor them in this list.

In Memoriam – Honoring The Beloved Country Stars & Friends We Lost In 2024

Larry Collins

Larry Collins was known for performing in the rockabilly duo The Collins Kids with his sister, Lorrie. After the duo split up, Larry became a solo performer and songwriter.

Larry famously co-wrote “Delta Dawn” with Alex Harvey, which Tanya Tucker turned into a classic country hit.

Larry’s daughter, Larissa, shared the news on her father’s Facebook page that he passed away on January 5. Larissa said he “went peacefully of natural causes.” He was 79 years old.

Jo-El Sonnier was a beloved singer, songwriter, and accordion player. He was known for playing country and Cajun music and was called the “King of Cajun.”

Jo-El was the voice behind iconic ’80s country hits such as “No More One More Time” and “Tear-Stained Letter.”

Sadly, Jo-El passed away unexpectedly on January 13 after suffering a heart attack following a show in Texas. He was 77 years old.

Margo Smith

Margo Smith was a country and Christian artist called “The Tennessee Yodeler.” Her signature songs include “There I Said It,” “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You,” and “It Only Hurts for a Little While.”

“The Tennessee Yodeler” continued performing into the later years of her life. She passed away on January 23 at the age of 84 due to complications from a stroke she suffered two days earlier.

Country music icon Toby Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in 2021. He went public with the news several months later and announced a break from performing to focus on his treatments and spend time with his family.

Toby made an emotional return to the stage when he performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In” at the 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards. It ended up being his final televised performance.

Country fans and artists woke up to the news on February 6 that Toby passed away the day prior (February 5). He was 62 years old.

A statement from Toby’s family read:

“Toby Keith passed peacefully last night on February 5, surrounded by his family. He fought his fight with grace and courage. Please respect the privacy of his family at this time.”

Since then, Toby has been honored with numerous performances at awards shows and during a tribute concert that aired on NBC. He was also posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

His songs continue to resonate with country fans, and after his death, many of them received new Platinum and Gold certifications from the RIAA.

His legacy also lives on through his OK Kids Korral, a cost-free place for pediatric cancer patients and their families to stay while the child undergoes treatment.

Roni Stoneman was a talented musician, especially proficient on the banjo. In fact, she was known as “The First Lady of the Banjo.” She showcased her skills in her family’s band, The Stoneman Family until she left the group in 1971.

Shortly after that, Roni joined the cast of the variety show Hee Haw. During her 18 years on the show, she entertained her many fans as the comedic “Iron Board Lady” Ida Lee Nagger.

Roni continued to perform in her later years. In 2021, she and her family were inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

Brit Turner was the drummer in Blackberry Smoke and one of the Southern rock group’s founding members. After performing with the group for years, Brit was diagnosed with glioblastoma (a form of brain cancer) in 2022. He underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor in November of that year.

The drummer continued touring after his diagnosis and surgery. But his health took a turn for the worse, and he passed away on March 3 at the age of 57.

His bandmates released a statement, saying:

“It is with the deepest sorrow that we inform everyone that our brother Brit Turner has moved on from this life. If you had the privilege of knowing Brit on any level, you know he was the most caring, empathetic, driven and endearing person one could ever hope to meet.”

Erv Woolsey served as George Strait’s manager for 45 years, but he and “The King of Country” had been friends for far longer.

To everyone’s shock, Erv passed away unexpectedly on March 20 due to surgery complications. He was 80 years old.

“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,” George wrote in tribute to his dear friend.

Gene Elders

The same day that Erv Woolsey died (March 20), George Strait lost another one of his closest friends. His “Ace in the Hole” band member, fiddle player Gene Elders, passed away of an unknown cause.

“Hard to believe we lost two of our music family members on the same day,” George strait in a statement released on social media. “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. Me and the band won’t ever be the same without our brother Gene. We loved him so much.”

Norah Lee Allen

Norah Lee Allen was the beloved wife of the Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen. The couple had been married for 54 years and shared two children.

She enjoyed a successful career as a singer and performed as a background vocalist in the Grand Ole Opry band. Over the years, Norah sang with artists such as Carrie Underwood, Dolly Parton, and Johnny Cash.

Sadly, Norah passed away on March 31 “after battling an extended illness.” She was 76 years old.

Dickey Betts

Dickey Betts was a singer, guitarist, and founding member of The Allman Brothers Band. He wrote some of the band’s greatest songs, including “Ramblin’ Man.”

After the Allman Brothers disbanded, Dickey went on to pursue a solo career and released over a dozen albums.

Dickey passed away on April 18 of cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 80 years old.

The Allman Brothers’ social media pages released a statement about his passing, saying:

“Play on Brother Dickey, you will be forever remembered and deeply missed.”

Tom Foote

George Strait sadly lost another one of his longtime friends later this year. Tom Foote previously played drums in Tom’s band before seving as his road manager for close to 48 years.

Tom died unexpectedly on April 29. He’d just been with George and the band earlier that day.

“2024 is taking its toll on the Ace in the Hole group,” George said in a statement. “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.”

Duane Eddy

Duane Eddy was an iconic rock and roll guitarist and music producer. Despite his rock and roll roots, Duane produced music for country stars such as Jessi Colter and Waylon Jennings.

Duane and Jessi also married in 1961. Funny enough, after they divorced in 1968, Jessi went on to marry Waylon in 1969.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, of which Duane was a member, shared a moving tribute to him after he passed away on April 30 at the age of 86.

Jim Mills

Bluegrass musician Jim Mills earned the nickname “Smilin’ Jim.” He was known as one of the best banjo players in the industry, with six Grammy Awards to his name.

He served as a member of Ricky Skaggs’ famous Kentucky Thunder Band for 14 years.

The bluegrass community was shocked to learn about Jim’s death after he suffered a reported heart attack at his home on May 3. He was 57 years old.

Wayland Holyfield

Songwriter Wayland Holyfield penned songs recorded by country music superstars such as Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, and George Strait. One of his compositions, “You’re My Best Friend,” became a #1 hit when it was recorded by Don Williams.

Wayland also penned Anne Murray’s Grammy-winning recording, “Could I Have This Dance.” The song served as the love theme for the film Urban Cowboy.

Wayland was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992.

The Hall paid tribute to Wayland after he passed away in his sleep on May 6. He was 82 years old.

Terri Lynn Kathey

Nashville-based singer and songwriter Terri Lynn Kathey went missing on June 16. Her loved ones launched a desperate search for her after she left the house early that morning and didn’t return home.

Sadly, the search for Terri came to a tragic end. She was found deceased at the Monteagle welcome center near Chattanooga, Tennessee. Police said foul play was not suspected. Her death appeared to be due to a “natural” cause, possibly a heart attack.

Terri Lynn Kathey was 71 years old.

Rusty Golden

The Oak Ridge Boys suffered another major loss this year when William Lee Golden’s son, Rusty, passed away on July 1 at the age of 65.

Rusty followed in his father’s musical footsteps. He was a country and gospel singer, songwriter, and musician. He also sang alongside his dad in the group William Lee Golden and The Goldens.

William was heartbroken after Rusty died, saying:

“This is the hardest thing ever for a father to have to face. 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.”

Joe Bonsall

Just eight days after Rusty died, the Oak Ridge Boys suffered another huge loss. The group’s longtime tenor singer, Joe Bonsall, died on July 9 after a private battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). He was 76 years old.

Bonsall performed in the Oak Ridge Boys for 50 years before he retired in January of this year.

Dave was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995.

Sadly, Dave died at Alive Hospice in Nashville on July 10. He was 76 years old. His son, Quinn, shared the heartbreaking news of his death on social media.

Jerry Fuller

Jerry Fuller was a highly respected producer and songwriter in the country music community. He penned over 1,000 songs during his decades-long career.

Some of Jerry’s compositions include “Travelin’ Man,” “Young Girl,” and “Show and Tell.” Jerry was also one of Glen Campbell’s cloesest friends, and he produced his 1982 album Old Home Town.

Jerry passed away due to complications from lung cancer on July 18. He was 85 years old.

Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, & Amber Nelon Kistler

Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Kistler were members of the beloved family Southern gospel group, The Nelons. Kelly and Jason were married, and Amber was their oldest daughter.

They were flying to Seattle on July 26 when their plane crashed in a remote area of northeastern Wyoming. Kelly, Jason, and Amber were all killed.

The crash also claimed the lives of Amber’s husband, Nathan, the Nelons’ assistant Melodi Hodges, the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa.

The Nelons’ fourth member, and Kelly and Jason’s youngest daughter, Autumn, traveled seperately. She learned about her family’s death after she arrived in Seattle with her husband, Jamie.

Autumn has vowed to keep singing in her family’s honor. She and Jamie welcomed their first child, a son named Rhett, on her mother Kelly’s birthday, December 1.

Tommy Cash

Tommy Cash was Johnny Cash’s younger brother and a famous singer in his own right. He was known for his hit singles “Six White Horses,” “Rise and Shine,” and “One Song Away,” among others.

After Johnny died in 2003, Tommy worked to keep his legacy alive. He frequently shared tributes to his brother, and was a devoted supporter of The Johnny Cash Museum.

The Museum shared the sad news that Tommy passed away on September 13 at the age of 84. They wrote, “This great man will be deeply missed by his friends and many loyal fans around the world.”

Hugh Prestwood

Hugh Prestwood wrote many of country music’s timeless hits. He penned Randy Travis’ “Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart,” Trisha Yearwood’s “The Song Remembers When,” and Shenandoah’s “Ghost in This House.”

He earned three Grammy nominations and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006.

Sadly, Hugh passed away on September 22 following a stroke. He was 82 years old.

Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson defined the term “icon.” He worked as a singer, songwriter, musician, and actor—and excelled at all of those things. Additionally, he was a member of the country music supergroup The Highwaymen.

“Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” and “Why Me” were some of Kris’ greatest compositions.

Kris retired in 2021. He performed a few times in the years that followed before he passed away on September 28 at the age of 88.

His family shared the following statement:

“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.”

Johnny Neel was a member of the Allman Brothers Band and Dickey Betts Band. He also released 12 albums as a solo artist.

In addition, Johnny wrote songs recorded by artists such as Montgomery Gentry, Keith Whitley, Travis Tritt, and the Oak Ridge Boys.

Johnny remained active as a performer in the later years of his life. That’s why fans were shocked when he passed away on October 6 at the age of 70.

Warren Haynes, who played alongside Johnny in the Allman Brothers Band and the Dickey Betts Band, shared an “in memoriam” post honoring the star. He said:

“We wrote a lot of music together, we played a lot of music together, and we traveled the world together, and maybe most importantly, we had a lot of fun times and created a lot of beautiful memories. Hence the stories. Johnny’s music and his legend will live on forever. Miss you Neely.”

In Memoriam To The Country Stars & Friends The World Lost In 2024

Every person on this list is so sincerely missed. Their lives and careers influenced everyone who knew and loved them. Because of their impact, their loved ones and fans will guard their legacies and ensure that no one ever forgets who they were.

Our prayers remain with the family members and friends of everyone we lost in the country music community this year.

In closing, we leave you with Toby Keith singing “Don’t Let the Old Man In” during his final televised performance…

Source: https://countryrebel.com/