The country music legend Jim McBride died “unexpectedly” on Tuesday, January 6. He was 78 years-old.
McBride Passes Away
McBride reportedly died after suffering from a fall. His death was confirmed by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
“Jim was a beloved Alabamian, songwriter, friend, mentor and so much more,” the organization said in a statement posted to Facebook. “We will greatly miss Mr. McBride—may his legacy live on forever.”
McBride was one of the most sought after songwriters in country music for decades. He was arguably best known for writing the hits Chattahoochee and Chasing that Neon Rainbow for Alan Jackson. McBride also wrote hit songs for country music icons like Johnny Cash, George Jones and Reba McEntire.
Jackson took to social media to honor McBride after his passing.
“Jim was a good man and a great and genuine songwriter,” Jackson wrote on Instagram alongside some photos of himself with McBride. “He understood country music and touched many with his songs. Jim and I wrote some of my favorite songs together and I don’t know if my career would have ended up quite the same without his help, inspiration, and encouragement in my early years. Thank you Jim, rest in peace.”
McBride was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1995. He was later inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017. McBride also previously served as president of Nashville Songwriters Association International.
McBride’s Death ‘Is Hard To Take’
Singer songwriter Jerry Salley paid tribute to McBride in a touching Facebook post of his own. He admitted that “this one is very hard to take.”
“I never dreamed when I woke up this morning that I would receive the shocking news that I received,” Salley wrote. “My closest and longest friend I’ve ever had passed away unexpectedly this morning from a fall that he took last Monday, late afternoon.”
“Jim McBride wasn’t just a close friend, he was a true, lifelong Brother to me. My best friend. We talked or texted every few days right up until the end,” he continued. “We met at my very first publishing company back in the early 1980’s. He was already a big hit songwriter, having had hits with Conway Twitty, Johnny Lee and others. I’ll never know why he took a chance to write with me, but man, we hit it off, became instant friends, and loved being in the writing room together. He always brought out the very best in me.”
Later in his statement, Salley revealed that McBride had texted him just a few hours before the fall that would ultimately lead to his death. He concluded his emotional tribute with a personal message to McBride.
“You were a great songwriter. You were a great man. And, you were an even greater friend,” Salley wrote. “What hurts the most is that I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. My best friend. We talked or texted every few days right up until the end.”
McBride was a true legend, and there will never be another one like him. While he will be dearly missed, he will also always live on through his music.
Rest in peace, Jim McBride.