Country music world rocked by third death in a week

Billy Edd Wheeler was not a name that was always in the headlines in the country music world, but he was a big-time player behind the scenes.

Turns out, some of the classic hits that fans loved, stuff sang by the likes of Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers, was written by Wheeler.

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He died earlier this week at the age of 91.

Wheeler's death was the third country music related death to hit headlines in a week's time as he joined Cash's brother, Tommy Cash, and legendary engineer Billy Sherrill in passing away.

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Their deaths brings the list of country music stars and prominent figures who have departed this world in 2024 to 29.

The following is a look back at those lost in what has been a heartbreaking year:

Norah Lee Allen It has been an emotional year for The Oak Ridge Boys, and things took a particularly heartbreaking turn on Easter.

According to Taste of Country, Norah Lee Allen, the wife of lead singer Duane Allen, died after battling an illness for "an extended period of time." The site reported that she had been at Vanderbilt Hospital when she died.

Allen reportedly shared the news on social media.

"This morning, my wife of 54 years and 8 months took her last breath of air on planet Earth," he wrote. "Norah Lee went to be with Jesus at 7:28 am, Easter morning. She had not been feeling well for some time. Her family all spent the night with her last night at Vanderbilt Hospital. We took time singing with and to her, telling her stories, and loving her every second that God let us share her here on this Earth."

The Grand Ole Opry took time to remember Allen, too.

"During (Wednesday's show), we paused to remember a beloved member of our Opry family we lost earlier this week, Norah Lee Allen," a post on the Opry's X page, formerly Twitter, read. "For decades, Norah Lee added her voice to Opry performances as one of our background vocalists, our Opry Singers.

"She was also a member of our family as the wife of Duane Allen of Opry group The Oak Ridge Boys," the post continued. "She will be lovingly remembered by all who knew her and all who knew her voice here at the Grand Ole Opry."

Joe Bonsall Another heartbreaking loss for The Oak Ridge Boys was longtime member Joe Bonsall who died in July.

Bonsall, who was 76, passed away due to complications from Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroris (ALS).

The band shared an obit post to its X, formerly Twitter, account announcing his death.

"As a 50-year member of the American music group The Oak Ridge Boys, Joe was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and inducted into the Philadelphia Music Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame," the post read.

You can see that post and the responses here.

Bonsall retired from touring with the band in January.

Fran Boyd Fran Boyd, a country music groundbreaker and champion of the genre, died on March 9.

She was 84.

Billboard said that Boyd "played a key role in shaping and advancing the (Academy of Country Music) from its early years in California in the late 1960s, through the start of the millennium."

Boyd was reportedly the first paid employee of the ACM, coming onboard in 1968 as executive secretary. She worked her way all the way up to executive director. Per Billboard, she "oversaw nearly every aspect of the annual (ACM) awards" show.

She worked for the ACM for more than three decades before retiring in 2002.

The Academy of Country Music posted on X, formerly Twitter, regarding Boyd's death.

You can see that post, here.

"Fran Boyd played an essential part in the Academy's history, stretching way back to the 1960s and steering the ship through decades of change, innovation, and growth, all while fostering an incredible passion for country music," Gayle Holcomb, ACM Board Sergeant-At-Arms told Billboard. "Fran will always be remembered as a champion for our industry, its artists, and this organization. On behalf of the ACM Officers and Board of Directors, I send our gratitude, prayers and condolences to the Boyd family."

"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."

He returned to social media to address fans after that initial announcement.

"I am overwhelmed by the love shown to me this week," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I think I have heard from everyone I have ever known and many many more .... Thank you doesn't seem adequate ... but THANK YOU."

Tommy Cash Just about everybody on the planet knows Johnny Cash.

Not quite as many know Tommy Cash, but the country music legend's younger brother was beloved in his own right, putting together a long career that spanned from 1965 through 2016.

Sadly, the younger Cash died in September, according to multiple reports. He was 84.

The Johnny Cash Museum announced his death in a statement.

"I knew him for over 50 years," Johnny Cash Museum founder Bill Miller said via a representative, according to Taste of Country. "Tommy Cash was a loyal supporter of the Johnny Cash Museum and a very beloved member of our extended family as well as a highly respected member of the music industry. This great man will be deeply missed by his friends and many loyal fans around the world.

"Please keep Tommy's beloved wife, Marcy, and his family in your prayers."

Taste of Country said that Tommy Cash was born in 1940, and after high school he joined the Army and became a DJ for the Armed Forces Radio network.

The site said Tommy's music career began playing with Hank Williams Jr. before he signed a record deal in 1965, and that after Johnny's death in 2003, he became an ambassador for the family legacy.

His death on Sept. 13 came one day after Johnny died 21 years earlier.

Don Cason Singer, hit songwriter, producer and author Buzz Cason died in June.

He was 84. No cause of death was reported.

"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."

Cason's career in music began in the 1960s when he helped found The Casuals, known as Nashville's first rock band. He then pursued a solo career and went on to sing backup vocals for the likes of Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, John Denver and Roy Orbison, according to Taste of Country.

As a songwriter and producer he combined with the likes of Dolly Parton, the Oak Ridge Boys, Martina McBride, Mel Tillis and Jimmy Buffett. His biggest hit song, "Everlasting Love," was co-written with Mac Gayden. Taste of Country said that song is one of the few to make the Billboard Hot 100 in four consecutive decades.

Larry Collins Larry Collins, a former country music child star turned legendary guitarist and song writer, died on Jan. 5.

He was 79. Per reports, Collins died of natural causes.

He first made his splash in country music alongside his older sister, Lorrie, when they formed the "The Collins Kids" duo when Larry was just 9 years old. They recorded a series of hits — "Hop, Skip and Kump," "Hoy Hoy," and "Beetle Bug Bop" — with music catering to children. The became regulars on "Town Hall Party" in 1954 and they performed together into the 60s.

Per reports, Lorrie had her first child in 1961 and stepped away from music to focus on family. The duo did reunite years later in the 90s.

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.

Allison Cornell Allison Cornell died in February.

She was a part of Shania Twain's band for years.

"Allison Cornell was such a talented and wonderful person," Twain wrote 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. Rest in Peace (heart emoji)."

A post on Cornell's artist management page also addressed her death.

"It is with great sadness that we say farewell to Allison Shropshire Cornell," the post began. "Rest in Peace. Heaven has opened up its gates to an incredible talent!"

Gene Elders Gene Elders, a longtime fiddle player in Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait's legendary Ace in the Hole Band, died in March.

It was the second heartbreaking death to rock Strait in a day's time after his manager, Erv Woolsey, also passed away.

"Hard to believe we lost two of our music family members on the same day," Strait posted on X, formerly Twitter. "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."

Elders' website said he played in Strait's band 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.

Fans took to social media following the news to remember Elders.

"I've been fortunate enough to watch Gene Elders play that haunting fiddle outro on 'Amarillo By Morning' live several times," one person wrote. "The arena goes dark except for a long spotlight on Gene, it sends chills every time. RIP Gene Elders."

"Today was a devastating day for the Strait camp," another person wrote. "Our hearts are hurting. Rest in Peace Gene Elders. Rest in Peace Erv Woolsey. We will miss you both."

Tom Foote George Strait revealed in May that a member of his operation had died for the third time this year.

The latest death was Tom Foote, a former drummer for Strait's Ace in the Hole band and the singer's longtime road manager.

The singer announced the death on X, formerly Twitter.

"We lost another one of our good friends and a huge part of our musical journey yesterday," Strait wrote. "Tom Foote, our one-time drummer and long-time road manager for around 48 years, suddenly passed away at his home after our rehearsal. The band and I were with him most of the afternoon, and he was great. Just doing what he loved to do which was making sure we were taken care of. 2024 is taking its toll on the Ace in the Hole group. 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."

Foote was reportedly the drummer for a band that hired Strait to be its new singer back in 1975. That band eventually became the Ace in the Hole Band. He reportedly stayed on as drummer through 1983 when he moved into his role as road manager.

"So sorry to hear this," one person responded to Strait. "Prayers for peace and comfort!"

"My prayers for his family and yours," another wrote.

"I'm so sorry about your (loss)," another wrote. "This year has really been a trying year for you and your group king George. My prayers are with you all. Hold on ... keeping playing that true country music. Your long time fans love it. Prayers going up."

And there were plenty more responses like that. You can see them here.

Foote's death comes after Gene Elders, a longtime fiddle player in Strait's Ace in the Hole Band, and Erv Woolsey, his manager, both died within a day of one another back in March.

Kinky Friedman Kinky Friedman was a legend, and if you don't believe it, just check the headlines.

Friedman, 79, died in June. H

e had reportedly been battling Parkinson's disease for years.

He was a country music singer. He ran to be the governor of Texas. He wrote books. He wrote songs. He was a satirist. One story described him as a "rabble rouser."

And his name ... well, the guy was unique.

"Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family & friends," a post to his X, formerly Twitter account, said on Thursday. "Kinkster endured tremendous pain and unthinkable loss in recent years but he never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit. Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung."

A close friend of Friedman's, Kent Perkins, told The Associated Press that he "died peacefully."

"He smoked a cigar, went to bed and never woke up," he said.

Perkins called Friedman "the last free person on earth."

"He had an irreverence about him," he said. "He was a fearless writer."

As a performer he toured with the likes of Bob Dylan.

He put out 18 albums, the first coming in 1973 and the last dropping in 2018.

William "Rusty" Golden William "Rusty" Golden, the son of legendary Oak Ridge Boys performer William Lee Golden, died on July 1.

He was 65.

He died at his home in Hendersonville, Tennessee, according to a press release shared by the band.

"This is the hardest thing ever for a father to have to face," William Lee Golden said in the release. "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."

Rusty Golden followed in his father's footsteps as a musician, singer and songwriter. He even earned an RIAA Gold record as a songwriter on The Oak Ridge Boys' Bobbie Sue album.

He moved into gospel music later in life after undergoing a quadruple bypass.

William Lee Golden also posted on his X account, formerly Twitter, about his son's death.

"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.