Country music artist Hal Ketchum passed away peacefully at age 67 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease at his home in Nashville, Tennessee. His wife Andrea shared the news via Facebook, noting that he had battled the disease for some time before retiring from performing in April 2019.

As a Grand Ole Opry member, Ketchum's remarkable three-decade career included 11 studio albums featuring hit songs like "Small Town Saturday Night," "Past the Point of Rescue," "Hearts Are Gonna Roll," and "Stay Forever." Beyond music, he was an accomplished painter with works displayed at Santa Fe's Pena Studio Gallery and a skilled master carpenter specializing in toy making.

Fellow artists and fans shared tributes following his passing:

• Kelly Willis recalled sharing the Austin City Limits stage with him in 1994
• LeAnn Rimes Cibrian praised him as "such a talent and a dear soul"
• Elizabeth Cook remembered his exceptional voice, guitar skills, and welcoming nature
• The Oak Ridge Boys expressed sadness at losing another country music icon in 2020

Ketchum joins other legendary musicians who passed in 2020, including Kenny Rogers, Charlie Daniels, Joe Diffie, John Prine, Eddie Van Halen, Vera Lynn, Little Richard, and Bill Withers.

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