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Hal Ketchum, a mainstay of the country music charts in the 1990s and a member of the Grand Ole Opry, died Monday at the age of 67.
“With great sadness and sorrow, we report that Hal passed away peacefully last night at home due to complications from dementia,” his wife, Andrea, wrote on Ketchum’s Facebook page. “May his music live forever in your hearts and bring you peace.”
Among those who expressed their appreciation and sadness were Toby Keith, Rodney Crowell, the Oak Ridge Boys, Chely Wright and LeAnn Rimes. Keith shared a video of himself covering Ketchum’s “Past Rescue Point” that he had just posted in May.
In 1991, Ketchum hit its commercial beat with their very first single, “Small Town Saturday Night,” which peaked at No. 2 and became a signature song. The now defunct trade publication Radio & Records named it # 1 country song of the year. Her debut album, “Past the Point of Rescue”, was certified gold.
Other hits include “Past the Rescue Point”, “Sure Love”, “Hearts Are Gonna Roll”, “Mama Knows the Highway” and “Stay Forever”.
In February, Texas’s famous Gruene Hall hosted a live tribute show in honor of Ketchum who served as a fundraiser for his healthcare, with an illustrious guest list that included Lone Star pillars like Randy Rogers, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Waylon Payne, Lee Roy Parnell, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis.
“To all the musicians,” Andrea Ketchum later posted, “you took time out of your busy schedule to play Hal’s tribute songs and while he was watching the show he just kept playing. say, “Wow, these are my friends! “”
His wife first shared details of his condition in April 2019. “I know everyone is wondering why there are no future tour dates and speculation as to why,” Andrea wrote. “Our family would like to share the cause. Sadly, Hal suffers from Alzheimer’s disease / dementia.
“He’s been fighting this for some time now, but because of his love for his fans he kept playing for as long as possible. Dementia is a grueling and confusing illness, and now it’s time for Hal to stay. at home with loved ones. Hal is otherwise healthy and happy, enjoying time with family and friends. “
Ketchum was invited to become a member of Opry in 1994.
Raised in New York City, but with a love for mainstream singers like Buck Owens and Marty Robbins, Ketchum moved to Texas in 1981 and began releasing music independently in 1986. According to his Grand Ole Opry page, he passed by 20 years of carpentry and furniture construction before the music took off for him.
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