Country music legend Dale Morris has sadly passed away at the age of 89. According to Billboard, he passed peacefully in his sleep. However, a cause of death hasn't been made public at this time.
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Following the news of Morris' passing, Clint Higham, president of Morris Higham Management, released a short statement.
"He lived a big, bold, beautiful, blessed life, and I'm holding onto that right now," Higham said. "It's the end of an era."
Higham then continued by praising the energy that Morris brought to everything he did throughout his life.
"He was larger than life, and never met a dream he couldn't build," Higham continued. "Dale Morris gave me my first internship, and I never wanted to go anywhere else. He saw things in people, in me, in Kenny, and inspired everyone to reach beyond what we thought possible. Maybe it's how much he loved life, loved his family, loved us."
Morris' grandson, Zack, also released a short statement honoring his grandfather.
"We're so blessed to have had 90 years with him as the patriarch of our family," Zack said, via Billboard. "Thank you to our music industry family and to his vast community of friends in Nashville, Boca and beyond for loving him all these many years."
Dale Morris Began His Career as a Songwriter
Morris' career didn't begin with him bursting onto the country music scene. Instead, he began by working as a songwriter. His first hit came in 1967 when he wrote "Don't Monkey With Another Monkey's Monkey" for Jonny Paycheck.
However, Morris ultimately turned his attention to the business side of the music industry. He began working with Alabama in 1979 after previously being introduced to the group. Under Morris' management, Alabama recorded 33 No.1 hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. To this day, that number remains the most for any duo or group.
Later in his career, Morris began working with the now Hall of Famer, Chesney.
It was clear that Morris understood the country scene and knew how to both spot talent and take them to another level. His imprint on the industry has been felt for decades. He will be sorely missed.
