Thru
Dec

GRAND OLE OPRY

Show Schedule & Tickets
Find the BEST Seats!

June
2025

CMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Nissan Stadium | 4 Day Pass, Fan Fair X!

Thru
Nov

NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Game Schedule & Tickets
Find the BEST Seats!

Country Music Legend Mel Tillis Dead At 85

Following a lengthy struggle to regain his health, country music legend Mel Tillis passed away early this morning at the Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida. Tillis battled intestinal issues since early 2016 and never fully recovered. The suspected cause of death is respiratory failure. Tillis was 85.
The Country Music Hall of Famer leaves behind six children (Pam Tillis, Connie Tillis, Cindy Shorey, Sonny Tillis, Carrie April Tillis, and Hannah Puryear), six grandchildren, a great grandson, a sister (Linda Crosby) and brother (Richard Tillis), the mother of five of his children (Doris Tillis), his longtime partner (Kathy DeMonaco), and many lifelong friends and fans around the world.
The Tillis family asks for your prayers and will soon release more information regarding funeral services in Florida and Nashville.
Lonnie Melvin Tillis was born in Tampa, Florida on August 8, 1932. Throughout his 60+ year career, the Grand Ole Opry member recorded more than 60 albums, had 35 Top Ten singles, six #1 hits (“I Ain’t Never,” “Coca-Cola Cowboy,” “Southern Rains,” “Good Woman Blues,” “Heart Healer,” and “I Believe In You”), was named the Country Music Association’s coveted Entertainer of the Year, and was elected a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He wrote over 1,000 songs, 600 of which have been recorded by major artists including Kenny Rogers (“Ruby, Don’t You Take Your Love To Town”), George Strait (“Thoughts Of A Fool”), and Ricky Skaggs (“Honey, Open That Door”). Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) named Tillis Songwriter of the Decade for two decades. In February of 2012 President Obama awarded Tillis the National Medal of Arts.

About David

Check Also

LISTEN: Ian Munsick's "Eagle Feather"

LISTEN: Ian Munsick’s “Eagle Feather”

When Wyoming native Ian Munsick performed his sold-out Red Rocks Amphitheatre debut last year, a …

Rock The Ryman Tickets! Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, 3/1/23

Ryman Auditorium Inducted Into The Pollstar Live! Hall Of Fame

Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium was officially inducted into the Pollstar Live! Hall of Fame last …