Texas loses two of its country music icons on same day: ‘Heartbroken right now’
Joe Ely's death dominated the headlines, and Jim Stringer's flew under-the-radar just about everywhere.
Well, just about everywhere but Texas.
Ely had the bigger national name, but Stringer was special, too, and both were beloved country music figures in Texas, with Ely coming out of Amarillo and Stringer lighting things up in Austin.
They both died on Dec. 15, according to multiple reports.
Ely was 78. Stringer was 77, according to Saving Country Music.
The outlet praised Stringer as being so much more than an Austin musician.
"He served as the connective tissue that held together Austin's enterprising country music scene for over 30 years," the outlet wrote. "
Fans and friends flocked to social media to give their thoughts on his passing.
"As I was making my way into and around the Austin roots music scene back in the olden times it became very apparent that Jim Stringer was at the center of most all of it," Bear McCreadie wrote on Facebook. "He was so incredibly helpful and encouraging to me and always willing to share everything he knew about music (which was A LOT) with all of us. I know so many of the Austin music scene is just heartbroken right now. Wish I could say more but that's all I can get out right now. Thanks for everything, Jim."
"It seems surreal to me," Rosie Flores wrote on Facebook. "He is so alive in my heart and I feel so sad for Dana Stringer, his lovely wife who has been his best friend and took such great care of him after he was diagnosed with cancer. MD Anderson gave them both such hope and the newer drugs and Dana's care kept him alive for so many years. We are all so grateful for those years."
Ely died from complications from Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson's disease and pneumonia, according to a post on his Facebook. His fans were quick to respond with love and prayer for Ely and his family.
"Thank you, Joe Ely," Matt Skinner wrote. "Thank you for the music, the inspiration. Thank you for sharing the magic that has filled me, and all of us, with wanderlust and desire to see (and embrace) what's just over the edge of the map."
"So sorry to see this," Samantha Smith replied. "He will be forever remembered for the great gift he shared with us. Thanks for all the great times and great tunes, Joe. May you rest in peace."
"Another dose of sad news for the fans of Americana music," Kurt Weitendorf wrote. "I had the good fortune to see Joe as part of "The Songwriters Tour" along with John Hiatt, Lyle Lovett and the late Guy Clark. One of the best music experiences ever. RIP Joe."
Ely announced that he was battling Lewy Body and Parkinson's in a statement posted on his Facebook page back in September.
"Together with his wife Sharon, Joe is sharing their journey — not to dwell in hardship, but to bring understanding, awareness, and hope through the healing power of music," the statement read.
The statement noted that Ely and his wife planned to release some of his recordings that they had recently found.
"Our story is about how music continues to lift us up," she said in the statement. "Revisiting Joe's recordings and hearing them brought to life again has given him so much joy, and we want others to feel that same joy too."
Ely died with Sharon and his daughter, Marie, at his side in his home in Taos, New Mexico, according to the statement on his Facebook Monday.
While Ely was a beloved country musician, Variety noted that his skills also earned him a spot working with some big-time rock acts, including working as a supporting act for the likes of the Rolling Stones, the Clash, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Stevie Nicks and more.
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