Bluegrass and country music singer‑songwriter Ronnie Bowman has died at the age of 64.
The musician passed away on Sunday afternoon after suffering critical injuries in a motorcycle crash in Ashland City, Tennessee the previous day, according to Bluegrass Today.
Bowman was taken to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, where he later died from his injuries.
He is survived by his wife, singer Garnet Imes Bowman, and their daughter Chassidy.
The artist worked with artists including Chris Stapleton, Loretta Lynn, Lee Ann Womack and Brooks and Dunn, and co‑wrote Stapleton’s award‑winning hit Nobody To Blame.
Bluegrass and country music singer‑songwriter Ronnie Bowman has died at the age of 64. Seen in year 2000
He worked with Chris Stapleton; seen in November in Nashville, Tennessee
His last Instagram post was from St Patrick’s Day on March 17 where he announced he was performing at The Station Inn.
‘Tonight’s the night!!’ his caption read next to the ad for the event.
Across a career spanning more than four decades, Bowman became one of bluegrass music’s most respected voices.
His 1994 album Cold Virginia Night earned both Album of the Year and Song of the Year honors from the International Bluegrass Music Association, which also named him Male Vocalist of the Year three times.
In addition to his solo work and his influential years with the Lonesome River Band, Bowman collaborated with some of country music’s biggest names.
Tributes have poured in from across the music world.
John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash, shared a message on Instagram calling Bowman ‘a friend and an amazing vocalist and musician,’ sending love to his family.
Stapleton, left, and Bowman (speaking) and Barry Bales accept the Song of the Year award for Nobody To Blame onstage during the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas in 2016
Seen far right with Billy Ray Cyrus, far left, on social media
Seen center with two other musicians on stage
Bowman and Garnet Imes Bowman attend the 2024 BMI Country Awards at BMI in Nashville, Tennessee in 2024
Country star Dierks Bentley also expressed his grief, writing on Facebook that it would ‘take a while for it to sink in’ that Bowman had passed.
He described him as both his favorite bluegrass and country singer and ‘everyone’s favorite hang,’ reflecting the deep affection Bowman inspired among peers.
The International Bluegrass Music Association also paid tribute.
They said that Bowman ‘lifted those around him and left them better than he found them,’ and noting that his absence will be ‘deeply felt’ throughout the community.
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