Source: American musician and actor Kris Kristofferson plays guitar as he performs with the Highwaymen onstage at the Rosemont Horiszon, Rosemont, Illinois, April 18, 1982. (Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
As we’ve come to understand with every passing, death is unfortunately an inevitable part of life – even for the icons that seem invincible. Despite acknowledging this unfortunate reality of life, it truly never gets any easier. In remembrance of those we have lost this year, here’s a tribute to the country music stars we lost in 2024: May their memory remain with us just as their music always will.
1. Toni Price
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Toni Price was a country blues singer from Austin, Texas. She died from complications of a brain aneurysm on November 22 at the age of 63.
2. Kris Kristofferson
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An accomplished recording artist, songwriter and actor out of Brownsville, Texas, Kris Kristofferson was one of the pioneering figures of outlaw country, and joined with country legends Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson to form The Highwaymen. He obtained three Grammy awards during his career, along with 10 other Grammy nominations. He was also responsible for writing the legendary song Me and Bobby McGee, a major posthumously-released hit for Janis Joplin. Kristofferson died on Sept. 28, at his home in Maui at the age of 88.
3. Hugh Prestwood
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A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Hugh Prestwood of El Paso, Texas, wrote for several artists, including Jimmy Buffett, Randy Travis and Trisha Yearwood. Some of his hits include Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart and The Song Remembers When. Prestwood died from a stroke on Sept. 22 at the age of 82.
4. Tommy Cash
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The youngest brother of the legendary Johnny Cash, Tommy Cash performed country music for over 50 years. In 1969 he released Six White Horses, a song dedicated to John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., his biggest hit. The Dyess, Arkansas, native died on Sept. 14 at the age of 84.
5. Sandy Posey
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Born in Lebanon, Tennessee, Sandy Posey started out her career as a backup singer for artists like Elvis Presley and Percy Sledge. She had a few big hits, including Born a Woman, Single Girl and What a Woman in Love Won’t Do. Posey died from complications of dementia on July 20 at the age of 80.
6. Dave Loggins
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Born in Mountain City, Tennessee, Dave Loggins was an accomplished singer and songwriter. He wrote several songs for artists like Wynonna Judd, Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers. He also secured himself and Anne Murray a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country charts with their duet on Nobody Loves Me Like You Do, which also netted them the “Vocal Duo of the Year” award at the 1985 CMAs. He died on July 10 at the age of 10.
7. Joe Bonsall
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Born in Philadelphia, Joe Bonsall came up as a gospel singer in the Northeastern states. He joined the Oak Ridge Boys in 1973 and later became a children’s book author. Bonsall died due to complications of ALS on July 9 at the age of 76. He was with the Oak Ridge Boys up until December of 2023, retiring from the group due to the disease.
8. Kinky Friedman
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Born in Chicago, Kinky Friedman grew up in Texas. He was a country and western singer, known for his humors songs and social commentary. He died due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease on June 27 at the age of 79.
9. Mark James
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Born in Houston, Mark James was an accomplish songwriter known for many country hits and other songs across various genres. he’s best known for writing Hooked On a Feeling for B.J. Thomas, Always On My Mind for Brenda Lee and Suspicious Minds for Elvis Presley. After Willie Nelson covered Always On My Mind, James won the Grammy award for “Best Country Song” in 1983. He died on June 8 at the age of 83.
10. Toby Keith
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Born in Clinton, Oklahoma, Toby Keith was one of the biggest country stars of the 1990s and 2000s. He’s best known for major hits like As Good as I Once Was, Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American) and Should’ve Been a Cowboy, among his 20 No. 1 singles across 19 studio and two Christmas albums. He died due to complications of stomach cancer on February 5 at the age of 62.
11. Margo Smith
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Known as ” The Tennessee Yodeler” out of Franklin, Tennessee, Margo Smith was an elementary school teacher before embarking on a singing career in her 30s. She released hits like Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You, Still a Woman and Take My Breath Away. She died due to complications from a stroke on Jan. 23 at the age of 84.
12. Jo-el Sonnier
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Born in Rayne, Lousiana, Jo-el Sonnier was a singer, songwriter and accordionist. He achieved a pair of top-10 country charts singles in No More One More Time and Tear-Stained Letter. He was nominated by the Academy of Country Music for the “Top New Male Vocalist” award in 1988. He died of a heart attack following a performance in Llano, Texas, on Jan. 13 at the age of 77.
