Country singer and bluegrass artist Ronnie Bowman died Saturday from serious injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 64 years old.
Bowman was rushed to Vanderbilt Hospital, where he died Sunday, his family confirmed to USA Today.
His wife, Garnet, said in a statement that she was “completely shocked and completely devastated” by his death.
“Ronnie was loved by many in our music community and he loved them dearly…and we are grateful for all the love and outpouring that has already been showered on us,” the statement read.
Dierks Bentley paid tribute to Bowman on Instagram on Monday, acknowledging that his death “will take a while to understand.”
“He was everyone’s favorite bluegrass and country singer I knew, and he was everyone’s favorite hang,” Bentley wrote, sharing some of his favorite memories with Bowman, including when the two performed at the inaugural DelFest in 2008.
Bentley also wrote, “I can’t imagine how Garnett, his family, and his closest friends are feeling right now. My thoughts and prayers go out to them and all the Robo fans around the world, as he was affectionately called in my band. We all loved him.”
Bowman shared his final Instagram post last Tuesday promoting his St. Patrick’s Day concert at Nashville’s Station Inn.
“Tonight is the night!!” -rb,” he wrote in the caption.
Bowman was the vocalist and bassist for the Lonesome River Band from 1999 to 2001.
He also had a successful solo career, releasing five albums from 1994’s Cold Virginia Nights to 2019’s self-titled album.
“Cold Virginia Night” and its eponymous lead song won Album of the Year and Song of the Year, respectively, at the 1995 International Bluegrass Music Association Awards.
Bowman won Male Vocalist of the Year at the award show in 1995, 1998, and 1999.
Bowman collaborated with a variety of country artists, including Loretta Lynn, Lee Ann Womack, and Brooks & Dunn.
He co-wrote Chris Stapleton’s 2015 song “Nobody to Blame,” which won Song of the Year at the 2016 ACM Awards.
Bowman is survived by his wife and daughter, Chassidy Bowman.
