2026 has already been a heartbreaking year for the country music community. We’ve said goodbye to beloved stars, musicians, songwriters, and longtime friends whose contributions touched countless lives.
Among those remembered are Jim McBride, the legendary songwriter behind hits like “Chattahoochee” and “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow”; Nancy Seltzer, Garth Brooks’ longtime publicist and close friend; and Pete Finney, the acclaimed steel guitarist who performed with artists including Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, and The Judds.
The community also mourned Jerry Kennedy, a four-time Grammy-winning guitarist and producer; Augie Meyers, a founding member of the Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornados; and Ronnie Bowman, the award-winning bluegrass songwriter who co-wrote Chris Stapleton’s “Nobody to Blame.”
Other losses included musician Jason Simpson, songwriter Don Schlitz, legendary guitarist Wayne Moss, and The Voice alum Dylan Carter, who passed away at just 24.
The country world also said farewell to outlaw country legend David Allan Coe, longtime WSM and Grand Ole Opry announcer Bill Cody, and beloved fiddler Violet Hensley, who lived to the remarkable age of 109.
In August, fans were devastated by the deaths of actress and country star Hayden Panettiere, known for Nashville, and country music icon Dolly Parton, whose influence reached far beyond music.
Each of these individuals left behind a unique legacy, unforgettable music, cherished memories, and countless people who will continue to remember them.
May they all rest in peace, and may their legacies live on through the music and memories they left behind.