Country music star Todd Snyder, known for alt-country hits such as “Alright Guy” and “Just Like Old Times,” has died after battling a mysterious illness. He was 59 years old.
Mr. Snyder passed away on Friday, according to an Instagram post shared by Mr. Snyder’s record label, Aimless Headquarters.
“Where are the words for someone who always had the right words, who knew how to distill everything down to its essence in words and songs and unleash the most devastating, hilarious and impactful phrases?” the statement read.
“Creating rhymes and beats that always felt like old friends and favorite blankets. He was someone who could almost always find humor in this crazy ride on planet Earth.”
“He conveyed so much kindness and sensitivity through his songs and taught many of us how to see the world through a different lens,” Saturday’s statement continued.
“He woke up every morning and started writing songs, always trying to find his place among the songwriter giants that lined the record shelves, the ones who welcomed him into their lives, took him under their wings, and whom he studied relentlessly.”
Snyder’s family said in a statement Friday that he was diagnosed with pneumonia while hospitalized in Hendersonville, Tennessee.
Complications worsened his condition and the “Trouble” hitmaker was transferred to another facility.
At the time, the family asked Snyder’s fans to “say a prayer, light a candle, curl a candle to send strength, or just keep him in your thoughts” during this difficult time.
“You have put him through so much over the years and he needs it from all of us now more than ever,” the message continued.
His death comes shortly after his tour in support of his latest album, The High Lonesome and Then Some, released in October, was canceled earlier this month.
Management said in a Nov. 3 statement that the tour was canceled after he was allegedly the victim of a violent assault in the Salt Lake City area.
However, Snyder caused a disturbance at Holy Cross Hospital, where he was being treated, and was later arrested by Salt Lake City police.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the singer yelled and cursed at hospital staff after he was released from the hospital, before he was ready.
He was charged with disorderly conduct, trespassing and threatening violence.
Born and raised in Oregon, Snyder’s musical influences are based on artists such as Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, and John Prine.
He got his start in the music industry as a young artist signed to Jimmy Buffet’s record label, Margaritaville, and released his first two albums, 1994’s Songs for the Daily Planet and 1996’s Step Right Up.
He went on to write songs for several major artists, including Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver, and Tom Jones. He also co-wrote with Loretta Lynn and was included on her 2016 album Full Circle.
