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Singer and songwriter Mark McGuinn has died. While not a household name in country music he is responsible for a very important early 2000s hit, “Mrs. Steven Rudy.”<\/p>\n
Related<\/strong><\/em>: Country Stars Who’ve Died In 2026<\/a><\/p>\n McGuinn was an independent artist competing against major labels in 2001. Very few succeeded but the Greensboro, N.C., native found room. His obituary points out that “Mrs. Steven Rudy” \u2014 a\u00a0plucky song about admiring a beautiful (married) neighbor \u2014 was the first Top 10 single from an indy artist in 40 years.<\/p>\n Follow-up singles cracked the Top 40 but it would take time for him to record again. McGuinn’s second album didn’t come until 2006 and failed to produce a hit.<\/p>\n It’s difficult to find trace of his musical mark over the last two decades.<\/p>\n An obituary<\/a> published by the Greensboro News & Record<\/em> notes that McGuinn died on Oct. 26, 2026 at age 58. His music career is acknowledged but the paragraphs also shine a light on his love of soccer \u2014 he played while at Appalachian State University \u2014 and the love he had for his children.<\/p>\n McGuinn married while living in Nashville and he had two kids: daughter Ella and son Charlie. The obituary indicates that he was no longer married at the time of his death.<\/p>\n \u201cLife brought Mark his share of personal challenges, but his love for Ella Rose and Charlie never wavered,\u201d it reads. \u201cHis devotion to them remained constant. Above all his accomplishments, his greatest legacy will always be his children.\u201d<\/p>\n Friends and family took to social media to remember McGuinn but no one shared how he died or what the last 10 to 15 years had meant for him.<\/p>\n A celebration of life for McGuinn was held on Nov. 8 at the Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro, N.C.<\/p>\n Enjoy 40 of the best songs from 2000 to 2009. Each one came and went like a tornado. Most deserve a little more respect 15, 20 or 25 years later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n It’s hard to believe that these artists only had one big mainstream hit during the course of their careers! Read on to rediscover some music you haven’t heard in quite a while.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nMark McGuinn Obituary Details<\/h3>\n
Forgotten 2000s Country Songs: 40 Great Country Hits, 2000-2009<\/h2>\n
14 Country One-Hit Wonders That Deserved a Second Chance<\/h2>\n