Earl Thomas Conley, legendary singer-songwriter of country music, dies at the age of 77

The legendary artist Earl Thomas Conley died Wednesday morning. He was 77 years old.

The news reached the Facebook page of country singer Blake Shelton on which he wrote a sincere announcement about Conley's death, stating that "Earl was my favorite singer of all time, my hero and my friend".

Conley, a native of Ohio, was known for his hit songs, such as "Holding Her and Loving You" and "Right From the Start".