Johnny Cash (1932–2003), legendary musician known as “The Man in Black"

His signature songs included "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues."

Ernest Tubb: The Texas Troubadour

It's somehow fitting that one of the most influential musicians in the history of country music, managed to outlive the city from which he hailed.

Waylon Jennings: Outlaw

Sometimes country singer Waylon Jennings was just a little bit more than the law would allow.

Howdy, Minnie Pearl!

On Minnie Pearl's 100th birthday, we remember her down-home humor.

Edwin Starr Against the War

Any list of Vietnam War protest songs must include the classic "War"...

Tammy Wynette and the Sad Truth about Happy Endings

"The sad part about happy endings is there's nothing to write about."

Joey Feek (1975 - 2016), Joey + Rory country singer

Joey Feek, a member of the hit country and bluegrass duo Joey + Rory who shared her cancer fight via social media, died of the disease March 4, 2016. She was 40.

Merle Haggard (1937 - 2016), Okie from Muskogee country star

Country giant Merle Haggard, the influential artist known best for hits including "Okie From Muskogee" and "Sing Me Back Home," has died. He was 79. Haggard died Wednesday, on his birthday, of pneumonia, according to multiple news sources, including The Associated Press.

Leon Russell (1942 - 2016), legendary rock musician and songwriter

The legendary rock musician and songwriter died Nov. 13, 2016, at his home in suburban Nashville, Tennessee.

Lisa Lynn Masters (1964 - 2016), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt actress

The actress starred in an episode of "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and also hadroles on "Gossip Girl," "Ugly Betty," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," and, most recently, "Nashville."

Gregg Allman (1947–2017), Allman Brothers frontman

Gregg Allman, the singer-songwriter and musician who was a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, died Saturday, May 27, 2017. He had recently been in poor health. He was 69.

Billy Joe Walker Jr. (1952–2017), country music guitarist and producer

Guitarist-producer worked with Travis Tritt, the Dixie Chicks, and the Beach Boys…

Don Williams (1939–2017), the "Gentle Giant" of country music

Country Music Hall of Fame singer-songwriter.

Jessi Zazu, frontwoman for indie rock favorites Those Darlins

The musician inspired many in her battle with cancer.

Lari White (1965 – 2018), country singer-songwriter

“Now I Know” was a top 5 hit song…

Randy Scruggs (1953–2018), Grammy-winning country music artist

A musician, producer, and the son of bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs.

Nashville Waffle House Shooting Victims (2018)

Four people were killed…

Barbara Harris (1935–2018), starred in “Nashville” and “Freaky Friday”

Versatile actress was a co-founder of Second City.

Ed King (1949–2018), Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist

Co-wrote the classic rock song “Sweet Home Alabama.”

In the Johnny Cash Museum, the singer's spirit lives on

After Cash's death, one fan-turned-friend became the champion of his legacy.

Harold Bradley (1926–2019), Hall of Fame country music guitarist

Country Music Hall of Fame guitarist who was instrumental in creating “the Nashville sound.”

Mac Wiseman (1925–2019), bluegrass great

Singer and guitarist was called “The Voice with a Heart.”

Jackie Shane (1940–2019), pioneering transgender soul singer

Jackie Shane was a pioneering transgender soul singer who became a star in Toronto, Canada in the 1960s. She came back to prominence recently when record label Numero Group released an album of her singles and live recordings. The album was nominated for a Grammy for best historical album. Starting her music career in Nashville, she left for Canada to escape Jim Crow laws, packing nightclubs in Toronto. She abruptly left show business in 1971 to come back to the states and take care of her mother.

Troy Dean Shafer (2019), star of "Nashville Flipped"

Troy Dean Shafer was the star of the DIY Network's "Nashville Flipped."

Joe Diffie (1958–2020), country music star

Joe Diffie  was a country music star who charted five No. 1 hit country singles in the 1990s. Some of his most popular songs were “Pickup Man,” “Bigger Than the Beatles,” and “Home.” The Tulsa native moved to Nashville to be a country music singer and picked up a job at Gibson Guitars. His demos found his way to CBS Nashville who signed him to a contract. Many of his songs were recorded by other country music artists including Tim McGraw and Alabama.

Jimmy Capps (1939–2020), guitarist with Grand Ole Opry house band

Jimmy Capps was a guitarist who was part of the Grand Ole Opry house band for more than 50 years and played on classic songs including ’s “Stand By Your Man” and ’ “The Gambler.”

Hal Ketchum (1953–2020), "Small Town Saturday Night" singer

Hal Ketchum was a country music star known for the song "Small Town Saturday Night."

Nick McGlashan (2020), star of Discovery’s “Deadliest Catch”

Nick McGlashan was one of the stars of Discovery’s reality TV series “Deadliest Catch.”

Patsy Bruce (1940–2021), country music songwriter

Patsy Bruce was a country music songwriter who co-wrote “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” with her then-husband, .

Nanci Griffith (1953–2021), Grammy-winning singer and songwriter

Nanci Griffith was a folk and country music singer and songwriter known for songs including “Love at the Five and Dime” and “From a Distance.”

Tom T. Hall (1936–2021), country music's "storyteller"

Tom T. Hall was a Country Music Hall of Fame singer-songwriter called "The Storyteller" who wrote "Harper Valley PTA."

Kenny Malone (1938–2021), drummer on Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’

Kenny Malone was a Nashville session drummer who played on classic hits including Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue.”

Rose Lee Maphis (1922–2021), country singer known as “Mrs. Country Music”

Rose Lee Maphis was a country singer and guitarist who performed with her husband, Joe Maphis, as “Mr. and Mrs. Country Music.”

Stonewall Jackson (1932–2021), Grand Ole Opry star

Stonewall Jackson was a country music singer who was a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Ralph Emery (1933–2022), country music DJ and TV host

Ralph Emery was a disc jockey on WSM radio as well as the host of “Nashville Now” and “Ralph Emery Live.”

Warner Mack (1935–2022), country singer known for “The Bridge Washed Out”

Warner Mack was a country singer and songwriter known for hits including “Is it Wrong (For Loving You)” and “The Bridge Washed Out.”

Jeff Carson (1963–2022), country singer known for “Not on Your Love”

Jeff Carson was a country singer who had a No. 1 hit in 1995 with “Not on Your Love.”

Deborah McCrary (1954–2022), singer with the McCrary Sisters

Deborah McCrary was a singer with the Nashville gospel music quartet the McCrary Sisters.

Vernon Winfrey (1933–2022), Oprah Winfrey’s father

Vernon Winfrey was a prominent Nashville barber who was the father of media superstar Oprah Winfrey.

Nolan Neal (1980–2022), “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice” contestant 

Nolan Neal was a singer who competed on the NBC talent shows “America’s Got Talent” and “The Voice.”

Shonka Dukureh (1977–2022), “Elvis” actress and blues singer 

Shonka Dukureh was a blues singer and actress who appeared as Big Mama Thornton in the recent Baz Luhrmann movie “Elvis.” 

Anita Kerr (1927–2022), backup singer for Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison

Anita Kerr was the leader of the Anita Kerr Singers, who sang backup for country superstars including and as well as recording their own music.

Michael Rhodes (1953–2023), bassist on How Do I Live

Michael Rhodes was a bass player known for his work on Nashville hits including “I Hope You Dance” and “How Do I Live.”

Nashville School Shooting (2023)

Six people were killed in a shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, March 27, 2023.

Tom Leadon (1952–2023), co-founded Mudcrutch with Tom Petty 

Tom Leadon was a guitarist who co-founded first band, Mudcrutch.

Keith Gattis (1970–2023), country singer who wrote hits for Kenny Chesney

Keith Gattis was a country singer who wrote hits for Kenny Chesney and George Strait.

Mike Henderson (1953–2023), co-founder of the SteelDrivers 

Mike Henderson was a Grammy Award-winning country singer-songwriter who co-founded the SteelDrivers and frequently collaborated with country superstar Chris Stapleton, Henderson’s former SteelDrivers bandmate. 

Melanie (1947–2024), Brand New Key singer

Melanie was a folk singer and songwriter who had major hits in the 1970s with “Brand New Key” and “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” and she was one of three women who performed solo acts at Woodstock.

Margo Smith (1939–2024), 1970s country music star 

Margo Smith was a country singer and songwriter who had No. 1 hits with “Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You” and “It Only Hurts a Little While.”