Pat Garrett, a Country singer and songwriter, has died, according to multiple outlets. He was 84.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Garrett, whose real name is Pat Sickafus, once advised an 11-year-old Taylor Swift to move to Nashville to launch her career. The Country singer also operated Sickafus Sheepskins in Strausstown, Pennsylvania.
The Alabama native also founded the Pat Garrett Amphitheater in Berks County, Pennsylvania, which hosted many legendary acts.
"We are saddened to share the news that our venue founder and namesake, singer/songwriter, Pat Garrett, has passed away,"
the Pat Garrett Amphitheater wrote on Facebook. "Pat opened The Pat Garrett Amphitheater in 1994 and hosted such country legends as Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn & Willie Nelson. After a decade-long closure from 2005 to 2015, he gave us (Flagship Music Productions, LLC) exclusivity to reopen and operate the Amphitheater for the last 12 summers. We thank Pat Garrett for allowing us to share such a beautiful and special venue with Berks County and beyond. We look forward to continuing to honor his legacy. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and fellow musicians. Thanks for everything, Pat."The Reading Eagle reported that Garrett grew up playing with his band at fire halls around Kutztown University. He briefly moved to Nashville to pursue music before returning to Berks County.
Country Singer Recalls Career-Altering Advice to Taylor Swift
After he returned, Garrett met Taylor Swift, who won a local karaoke competition when she was still a kid.
Garre was blown away by the young singer's talent and advised her father to move her to Nashville to spur her career.
"You wanna be a star? Move to Nashville. Three months later, he comes back and says, 'Well, we are going.' I said, 'Where are you going?' He said, 'To Nashville. Ain't that what you told me to do?' I said, 'Absolutely, ' Garrett recalled to WMFZ.
He added, ""When I met her the first time, I said, 'What's your name honey?' She said, 'Just Taylor.' She said, 'What's yours?' And I said, 'Just Pat,'" said Garrett.
In 2023, when the pop star was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year, Garrett applauded her excellence once more.
"Taylor's the person of the year," said Garrett. "In Time magazine. That's awesome. They work very hard at what they do. I hope she's queen of the world one of these days."
