Upstate New York native Hal Ketchum is dead at age 67, his official Facebook page announced Tuesday.
“With great sadness and grief we announce that Hal passed away peacefully last night (Monday, Nov. 23) at home due to complications of Dementia,” his wife Andrea wrote. “May his music live on forever in your hearts and bring you peace.”
Ketchum was born April 9, 1953, in Greenwich, N.Y. He got his start at age 15, performing as a drummer with a R&B trio in small clubs before eventually making his way to Texas and launching a career as a singer-songwriter.
He released 11 albums since 1986 and hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts three times with “Small Town Saturday Night,” “Past the Point of Rescue” (which was once covered by Dixie Chicks) and “Hearts Are Gonna Roll.” He also collaborated with big names like Dolly Parton, Shelby Lynne and LeAnn Rimes.
“So sad to hear that Hal Ketchum has gone to live amongst the angels. We will miss you down here, Hal! He was such a talent and a dear soul,” Rimes wrote on Twitter.
Ketchum was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1994.
Country Now reports Ketchum retired from music last year after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“He has been battling this for some time now, but because of his love for his fans, he continued performing as long as it was possible,” Andrea wrote at the time. “Dementia is an exhausting and confusing illness and now it’s time for Hal to stay home with loved ones. Hal is otherwise healthy and happy, enjoying time with his family and friends.”
Ketchum also appeared in the 1988 film “Heartbreak Hotel” and made a cameo as a bank robber in 1994′s “Maverick” with Mel Gibson and James Garner.