Remembering the Country Stars Who Died in 2024

This year, 2024, brought the deaths of several artists and beloved members of the country music genre.

Although they may be gone, their legacies continue to loom large and will impact and shape country music for generations to come. To their fans, friends and loved ones, they will never be forgotten.

Tragedy struck the country music world early in the year. Even though fans knew Toby Keith was fighting cancer, his death on Feb. 5 still left them reeling, and tributes from stars, fans and the late legend’s children quickly began to pour in.

The “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” star was 62 years old when he died. Just two days later, another shock: Mojo Nixon, the rockabilly/country mainstay whose brand of country music dabbled in punk and comedy, died of a cardiac event while aboard the Outlaw Country Cruise as a performer. He was 66 years old.

The rockabilly format was hit hard at the beginning of 2024: West Coast-based rockabilly guitarist Larry Collins died at 79 years old in early January; he was best known as one half of the duo the Collins Kids, and he holds a special place in country music history as the co-writer behind Tanya Tucker‘s “Delta Dawn.”

As the year continued, more deaths rocked the country music community, as well as the surrounding formats. Blackberry Smoke drummer Brit Turner died tragically in March at just 57 years old.

In July, legendary country-gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys said goodbye to Joe Bonsall, who was battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

On Sept. 28, country music lost yet another legend when Kris Kristofferson died at the age of 88. The country music community, as well as the entertainment industry more broadly, remembered Kristofferson for his immeasurable contributions to the country songbook, including writing staples like “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down.”

A number of cross-genre icons also died this year, many of whom left country fans feeling the loss. Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson mourned the death of his wife Melinda in late January. We also lost Rocky star Carl Weathers, All My Children star Alec Musser and Jimmy Van Eaton, a rock ‘n’ roll drummer who played for the likes of Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Country stars also remembered the deaths of family members and close friends. Though these late loved ones might not have been in the spotlight themselves, their absence still leaves a hole in the fabric of country music. Lauren Alaina, Kid Rock and Bunnie Xo all grieved the loss of their fathers in 2024. Keith Urban mourned the loss of his mother-in-law, Nicole Kidman‘s mother. Johnny Cash‘s brother died in September, while Dolly Parton‘s brother died in November.

Scroll through the gallery below to remember the country artists who have died so far in 2024.