John Anderson, Country Music Hall of Famer, dies at 71

SMITHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Country music legend John Anderson has died, his family confirmed via a social media statement.

The Country Music Hall of Famer was 71 when he died on Wednesday, October 21. His family claimed that they’re “completely heartbroken”.

John Anderson's family remembers him as 'beloved husband, father'

The statement posted by Anderson’s Instagram page read, “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and best friend.”

It continued that the ‘Straight Tequila Night’ was “a gifted country music singer whose voice and songs touched countless lives”, but for his family, he was “so much more.”

“He was the heart of our family, the one who made us laugh, loved us fiercely, and made every ordinary moment feel special,” his family mentioned.

John Anderson's family asks for prayers

The statement further asserted that “we are completely heartbroken. His music will live on, but for us, his greatest legacy will always be the love he gave his family and the memories we will carry with us forever.”

The social media post concluded by asking for "thoughts and prayers" for his family as they "grieve this unimaginable loss.”

Tim McGraw recalls last meeting with John Anderson

Another country music star, Tim McGraw, honored the ‘I Wish I Could Have Been There’ singer.

McGraw was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 18 and he recalled meeting Anderson at the ceremony.

He wrote, “I was talking with John Sunday night at the HOF ceremony. He was in such good spirits. We talked, we laughed, we sang his songs that I loved so much together, just goofing off. I am completely heartbroken by his passing.”

The 59-year-old singer further stated that the late singing icon “was and is one of the defining voices in country music.”

McGraw also mentioned Anderson’s family in his post. He added, “All of our love goes out to his family and the country music community.”

John Anderson started his career in 1977

Born in December 1954, Anderson began his singing journey with the release of his first single, ‘I've Got a Feelin’ in 1977. Years later, in 1983, he was honored with both the CMA Horizon Award and Single of the Year for his million-selling single ‘Swingin’.

A decade later, in 1993, Anderson also received the Academy of Country Music Career Achievement Award before being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014.

Two years ago, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. During the event, he had reportedly said, “This is an institution that preserves greatness. That I get the chance to be amongst this kind of greatness, words can’t explain.”

CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum calls John Anderson 'a one-of-a-kind song stylist'

Following his passing, Kyle Young, the CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, shared, “John Anderson was a one-of-a-kind song stylist who proved that fresh innovations were best born from time-honored traditions.”

“In 1981, John famously gave life to Billy Joe Shaver’s lyric, ‘I’m just an old chunk of coal, but I’ll be a diamond someday.’ He was already a diamond then, and a diamond he always will be,” Young added.