Legendary country music artist Hal Ketchum dies at 67 after battle with dementia

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“With great sadness and sorrow, we report that Hal passed away peacefully last night at home due to complications from dementia,” Ketchum’s wife Andrea confirmed in a post on the Facebook page and website. of the singer.

“May his music live forever in your hearts and bring you peace.”

Ketchum, who was known for country music hits such as “Small Town Saturday Night” and “Long Haired Country Boy,” released his first album in 1988. He would go on to release 10 more albums, according to his website.

“I’ve known Hal Ketchum since 1985, when I first booked him at Gruene Hall,” Ketchum’s longtime friend and personal manager Tracie Ferguson told CNN. “He played his first official concert in the front hall of the old hall for about 25 people. He only had to sing a note to make everyone realize he had something special and that the country music world didn’t notice him for long. “

Ketchum has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry – a weekly country music showcase – since 1994, his website says.

Ketchum would go on to have 15 top 10 singles and five million albums sold, according to its website.

In 2010, Ketchum moved to Texas where he continued to perform in theaters and venues such as The Birchmere and Eddie’s Attic, Ferguson said. Ketchum was diagnosed with dementia in 2017 and he performed his last home show on the Gruene Hall stage, according to Ferguson.

“One thing that stood out about Hal was his continued love for his fans, and he gave them as much of himself as possible,” Ferguson said. “His kindness and gentle spirit will be remembered by all who knew or met him.”

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