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Category Archives: RIP
Country stars react to George Jones’ passing
It’s been a tragic few days for country music stars and country fans. The legendary George Jones passed away in a Nashville hospital, and country stars have reacted in shock and sadness over the loss of an icon. See what some of your favorite stars have said about the great George Jones:
“George Jones’ life is an example of so many wonderful things. How someone’s God-given gifts can make this a richer, better place. How one human being can overcome adversity, addiction, and life threatening obstacles time and time again. That it is not the stumble or fall that counts, but the willingness to stand again. How a keen sense of humor and a twinkle in a person’s eye can still prevail even after all of life’s hard knocks. How mistakes, missteps, and bad choices are not the end of the world if a person chooses to turn them into something good. And George’s life is above all the strongest example of how the love of a great woman can get a man through anything. All of this made its way beautifully into every note of the greatest voice country music will ever know. And one of the greatest friends you could ever have.
We miss you already, George.
Brad”
“My heart is absolutely broken. George Jones was my all time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world. My heart goes out to Nancy and all his family and friends.”
Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts:
“He was the greatest country vocalist that ever lived! Through the years we have all tried to emulate the passion in his voice, but no one can fill his shoes.”
“The world has lost the greatest country singer of all time. Amen.”
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of one of my all time heroes, George Jones. Georges’ music was real and he was able to touch thousands through his songs. Not only was he a great singer, but he also had the ability to make you relate to every one of his songs, no matter who you are. He and his music will remain timeless in the world of country music. My thoughts and prayers are with his family through this difficult time.”
Blake Shelton (via Twitter):
Just landed in LA. Listened to “The King Is Gone” and “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” over and over again just like always. Can’t accept it. Really REALLY bad news. We’ve lost a country music legend. And I’ve lost a hero and a friend. Goodbye George Jones…
Kelly Clarkson (via Twitter):
Sad to hear about George Jones passing. That man touched a lot of lives with his music. Thanks for setting the bar for the rest of us. #RIPGeorgeJones
Read more reactions and quotes below:
The Oak Ridge Boys release statement on Margaret Thatcher
Legendary country music group The Oak Ridge Boys have released a statement regarding the passing of former United Kingdom Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The Prime Minister passed away earlier today from a stroke. She was 87 years old.
Joe Bonsall released the following statement on the tragic news:
“The Oak Ridge Boys were in attendance when Baroness Margaret Thatcher gave her last public speech. We there at the invitation of then President George W. Bush. As I recall, it was a dinner honoring Ronald Reagan and we sang several songs that evening and got to spend a bit of quality time with Lady Thatcher. It was a great honor and a very memorable event for all of us.”
Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and her policies lead the country on a rightward economic course, eventually leading the world out of the Cold War. Leaders and celebrities from all political spectrums from around the world are mourning the loss this week.
The Oak Ridge Boys &
Margaret Thatcher.
Country stars react to Mindy McCready’s suicide
It’s been a tragic twenty-four hours for the country music community after learning about the passing of singer Mindy McCready. The “Ten Thousand Angels” artist was found dead from an apparent suicide last night in Arkansas. Mindy was 37 years old and leaves behind a six year old and a nine-year old son.
See what some of country’s brightest stars had to share about the sad news:
Oak Ridge Boys: We sang “Farther Along” last night in honor of Mindy McCready. One day we will know!!!!!
John Rich: Very sad to hear about Mindy McCready. When I was in Lonestar she was our label mate and we were friends. A tragic end to a talented life.
Jana Kramer: So sad to hear about the loss of Mindy. What an insanely talented woman.
Michelle Wright: As you may know Mindy McCready has passed on. She was a young promising country music artist in the mid ’90′s but faced a number of challenges and I’m so sad that she lost the battle with addiction and mental illness which can also cause depression. I’ve been sober now for several years and I know how hard it can be sometimes. RIP Mindy.
Jimmy Wayne: RIP @mindymccready We met 14 years ago @ Acuff & Rose. Who’d thought 14 years later on this day…. #why
Jason Blaine: Sad to hear about the passing of Mindy McCready. Thoughts & prayers for her young children. Tragic situation.
Carrie Underwood: I grew up listening to Mindy McCready… so sad for her family tonight. Many prayers are going out to them…
See more reactions below:
Mindy McCready commits suicide
We were waiting to post this sad piece of breaking news until it was confirmed. Country star Mindy McCready has passed away from an apparent suicide, her brother has confirmed to NY Daily News. She was 37 years old when she took her own life earlier tonight in Arkansas. She was in good spirits when her father, Tim McCready, had left her this morning on his way to Florida, reports E!.
Mindy, a mother of two young boys aged six years old and nine months, has had recent struggles with alcohol and mental health issues. Her boyfriend, producer David Wilson, passed away from what was believed to be suicide in January.
Mindy released five studio albums through her career, with her most successful being her debut BNA Records release “Ten Thousand Angels,” which went on to sell more than two million copies.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends during this tragic time.
Little Big Town’s Kimberly Loses Brother in Law
Our condolences are with Little Big Town‘s Kimberly Schlapman who has announced the tragic passing of her brother-in-law. Kimberly’s brother-in-law, Allen Schlapman, was visiting the family in Nashville for Thanksgiving from Virginia, when he was struck by a drunk driver in an accident on Wednesday, November 21st. He was only 45 years old.
According to a report by The Tennessean, Gregory Powers, also 45, of Franklin, Tennessee, has been charged with vehicular homicide.
In a statement released by Kimberly on Facebook, she said:
“Last Wednesday, November 21st, my brother-in-law was killed by a drunk driver. He had come to Nashville, from Virginia to visit us for Thanksgiving, which is our long-standing family tradition. He is married & has a 9 year old little girl. This is a part of life that one never imagines or plans for. It has been very difficult to accept. Allen Schlapman was an amazing father, husband, brother & son. We will miss him so much. I have been deeply touched by all your well-wishes & prayers. Thank you. GOD has proven himself faithful to us & has given us great peace amidst this horrible tragedy.”
Little Big Town’s current single, title track “Tornado,” is out on country radio now.
Dierks Bentley’s Father Passes Away
Keepin’ It Country would like to extend our deepest thoughts and condolences to Dierks Bentley and his family with the passing of Dierks’s father Leon Bentley. Leon passed away on Friday, June 1st, in Phoenix, surrounded by family. He was 88.
In light of his father’s passing, Dierks cancelled a performance on Saturday night in Washington D.C., as well as Wednesday’s fan club part for CMA Music Festival. According to CMT.com, he will resume his tour schedule on June 9th in Detroit and will appear at LP Field on June 10th.
Dierks tweeted, “my dad died yesterday. it was an honor to comfort him as he left us. thank you fans for the time and understanding.” He also shared this moving photograph.
The Recording Academy’s Statement On Doc Watson
Americana music lost singer-songwriter Doc Watson this week. The folk legend was a seven-time GRAMMY winner and a Lifetime Achievement Winner with the Recording Academy. He was blind since he was only one year old, but it never stopped him from sharing his music with the world. Doc was 89 years old when he passed away yesterday in a hospital in Winston-Salem. He was recently hospitalized after an abdominal surgery.
The Recording Academy’s President and CEO Neil Portnow released a statement late last night on the tragic news of his passing:
“Seven-time GRAMMY® winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Doc Watson was a singer, songwriter and guitar player known for his masterful skills as a musician and his beautiful, emotion-filled voice. He toured the country with various acts and family members for nearly six decades bringing Americana music to fans everywhere, and he is highly regarded as a major influence on today’s country and folk artists. Watson’s immense talent and spirit will be deeply missed, and our sincerest sympathies go out to his family, friends and all who were inspired by his music.”
Doc was responsible for making the guitar a lead instrument in country music in the 1950s and 1960s. It used to be considered a backup for mandolin, banjo and fiddle. Read more about Doc and his life on Boston.com. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and loved ones.
Man Dies After Justin Moore Bus Crash
Our thoughts are with Justin Moore and his crew, and the family of the man involved in a crash today. One man lost his life after an accident with one of Justin’s tour buses. Justin broke the devastating news earlier today on Twitter:
@JustinColeMoore: Thankful my band and crew guys are all good. They got hit by a car this morning in their bus. Prayers go out to the guy who lost his life.
Justin followed the Tweet up with a sobering second one.
@JustinColeMoore: And his family. You never know man. You have to be prepared to meet God today, cause it may be your last.
There’s no other information available at this time. Justin and his crew escaped without injury.
The GRAMMYs Release Statement on Dick Clark’s Passing
The Recording Academy released a statement tonight on the tragic passing of music industry icon Dick Clark. He passed away from a massive heart attack earlier this morning at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica. Dick was 82 years old.
“Recording Academy Trustees Award recipient Dick Clark was an entertainment icon, bringing music into the homes of millions of Americans over his nearly 60-year career. His shows “American Bandstand” and “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” blazed new trails in pop music and became pivotal celebrations of music on television, spotlighting both established and emerging artists. Our deepest heartfelt sympathies go out to his family, friends, fans, and all who have enjoyed his great contributions to music and entertainment. He will be terribly missed, and his legacy will live on forever.”
Our thoughts are with Dick’s friends and family during this hard time.
Miranda Lambert Releases Statement; Reschedules Shows
In the wake of the tragic news of Blake Shelton‘s father passing away late last night in Oklahoma, Miranda Lambert has rescheduled three of her “On Fire” tour stops this week. Blake’s father, Dick Shelton, had been in declining health for the past year and passed away surrounded by loved ones.
Miranda wanted to thank both of their fan bases for the support in this difficult time:
”Thank you to the fans for all the support and prayers. This is a really difficult time for our family and the most important thing is being together. Tell your loved ones you love them. See you next week.”
Our thoughts are with the Shelton and Lambert families and friends during this time.
The rescheduled dates are: Charlotte, NC – January 25th, Greensboro, NC – February 19th, Lexington, KY - February 26th. The “On Fire” tour will return as scheduled on January 25th. Tickets will be honored at the new dates, and refunds will be accepted at original point of purchase.
