In Memoriam: Country Stars Who Died in 2026

2026 has delivered some heavy losses to the country music community, and the larger music world.

David Allan Coe is perhaps the best-known country music artist that we lost in 2026 so far. He died in late April at the age of 86, leaving behind a hefty impact as a singer and songwriter, as well as a complicated and difficult legacy.

Read More: David Allan Coe, Outlaw Country Pioneer, Dead at 86

We've also said goodbye to behind-the-scenes session players and songwriters, and the longtime publicist of one of the biggest stars in the genre. Plus, we've grieved the deaths of some legendary actors whose impact spanned into country fans' lives.

What Country Singers + Other Notable Figures Have Died in 2026?

The first true loss within the country industry occurred on Jan. 6 with the death of songwriter Jim McBride, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer who was renowned for his work with Alan Jackson.

Read More: Famed Country Songwriter Jim McBride Dead at 78

Since then, we've bid farewell to Don Schlitz, one of the largest-looming songwriters in the genre, who wrote hits like Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" and Randy Travis' "Forever and Ever, Amen."

Jo Dee Messina announced the death of her father Vincent in late January, and the same month, Garth Brooks shared a remembrance of his longtime publicist Nancy Seltzer.

In April, tragedy struck when The Voice alum Dylan Carter died in a car crash at just 24 years old. He competed on Team Reba during his time on the show, and Reba McEntire remembered the young vocal talent with a touching tribute.

Read More: Reba McEntire Mourns The Voice Alum Dylan Carter

Other notable deaths from outside the genre hit country fans, too. We said goodbye to Gunsmoke star Roger Ewing and mourned the loss of legendary actors Catherine O'Hara, Robert Duvall and Chuck Norris. Fans of A&E reality show Storage Wars were rocked by the death of Darrell Sheets, nicknamed "The Gambler," who was a mainstay for several season.

And music fans of all stripes came together to mourn the loss of Grateful Dead founding member Bob Weir, who died on Jan. 10. Weir's storied career spanned genres and touched hearts all around the world, including those of country stars.

Read More: Wyonna Judd Reveals the Incredible Thing Bob Weir Did After Naomi Judd Died

Keep scrolling for a look back at the artists we've lost so far in 2026. Taste of Country will continue to update this list to pay tribute to each artist who dies throughout the year.