Here's a look at the country music performers lost this year. Getty Images
It has been a tough start to the year for the country music world with a handful of iconic performers already passing away.
From cult folk legends to female trailblazers and even a guy who was a pioneer of the genre in another country, some talented performers have already tragically left us in 2025.
The following is a look at those who we have lost thus far:
Ed Askew, a cult folk music singer/songwriter and painter, died on Jan. 4.
He was 84.
PEOPLE Magazine reported that Askew had been battling “ongoing health struggles” and had been in hospice.
“Ed was a brave gay songwriter from the beginning, and I hope more come to know this,” Jay Pluck, Askew’s manager and friend, told PEOPLE. “Ed’s music changed the lives of people from many generations and continues to do so.”
Askew was a native of Stamford, Connecticut, and according to PEOPLE he studied paining at Yale Art School. The site said Askew was called up for the draft in 1966 but ended up teaching at a prep school in Connecticut instead. It said that is when he began writing his songs.
PEOPLE said Askew released 11 albums during his career. His first album “Ask The Unicorn” came in 1968 and his final, “London” came in 2020. PEOPLE said he also “had a prolific painting career.”
Country music legend Melba Montgomery has died, according to Taste of Country.
The site reported that Montgomery died on Jan. 15.
She was 86.
Her daughter, Melissa Solomon Barrett, posted about her death on Facebook, too.
“It is with great sadness that we announce our family has lost our mother, Melba Montgomery Solomon,” she wrote. “She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister to my uncle, sister-in-law to my aunts and aunt to my cousins. She fought a long battle with dementia but is now with her loving husband, Jack Solomon in Heaven. We know mom has been waiting to hold dad for over 10 years.
“Thank you for loving our mom as much as we have,” she added. “She was an incredibly talented, kind and generous woman.”
Taste of Country noted that Montgomery was known for her duets with the likes of George Jones and her No. 1 hit, “No Charge,” which came in 1974.
Montgomery was born in Tennessee in 1938, and she got her career going in 1958. She had 22 solo studio albums, and was inducted into Nashvhille’s Walkway of the Stars in 1974.
George Jones’ daughter, Georgette, remembered Montgomery with a post on Facebook.
“Very sad news as yesterday the legendary Melba Montgomery passed away at age 86,” she wrote. “Melba recorded with my Dad many songs including ‘We Must Have Been Out Of Our Minds.” She was an incredible singer and songwriter as well as a very sweet and wonderful person. Please join me in praying for her family and friends.”
Australian country music star Chad Morgan died on Jan. 1.
He was 91.
Morgan was called “The Sheik of Scrubby Creek.” Known for his vaudeville style, he was considered a pioneer of country music in his country.
Popculture.com said Morgan released more than 20 albums across a 70-year career.
Wayne Osmond, the second oldest in the Osmond Brothers band, died on Jan. 1.
He was 73.
His daughter, Amy Cook, shared the news on Facebook.
“Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children,” Cook wrote. “His legacy of faith, music, love and laughter have influence the lives of many people around the world. He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly.”
Cook wrote that she was “having a hard time expressing the depth of my sadness that I won’t have my ‘twin’ in my life for a while.”
“But I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with him,” she continued. “I am grateful for the incredible memories. I am grateful for his strength, loyalty to our family, incredible talent and energy, and most of all, his love. I look forward to the day when I can see him again on the other side.
“I love you, Dad.”
His younger brother, Donny Osmond, posted about his death on Instagram and said that he “passed away peacefully last night from a stroke.”
“Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me,” he wrote. “He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”
The Los Angeles Times noted that Osmond also had surgery for a brain tumor in 1997 and had another stroke in 2012 “that left him unable to play guitar.”
Osmond was a native of Ogden, Utah.
Along with his brothers Alan, Merrill and Jay, he started The Osmond Brothers. They were considered teen idols.
Country music legend Buck White died this week
He was 94.
The news of his death was relayed from his four daughters by another country music legend, Ricky Skaggs, on his Facebook page.
“The Lord answered our prayers and took our daddy, Buck White, home peacefully this morning at 8:00 a.m.,” the message from the daughters — Sharon, Cheryl, Rosie and Melissa — read. “We are so thankful for his 94 years on this earth. He was a great dad who taught us by example to put Jesus first always. His great loves were the Lord, our mother, his family, and music. Most people will remember him not only for being a great musician and entertainer, but also for being fun-loving and full of mischief. He lived a full life and finished well.
White, along with his daughters Sharon and Cheryl, formed the Grammy Award-winning trio The Whites. Per Taste of Country, the group had several top 10 and Top 20 singles in the 1980s. The Whites were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1984, and in 2008 they were inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
According to Taste of Country, the group was nominated for five Grammys and won two.
The Grand Ole Opry posted about White’s death on X.
“Thank you for all the music, memories, laughs and for ‘Doing It By The Book,’ Buck White,” the post read. “We will miss you.”
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