Country singer Hal Ketchum has died at the age of 67.
Ketchum’s death was confirmed on November 25. It was the first health update following the singer’s retirement from music last April. His career came to a close due to the progression of his dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“With great sadness and grief we announce that Hal passed away peacefully last night at home due to complications of Dementia,” Ketchum’s wife Andrea Ketchum wrote on his official Facebook page. “May his music live on forever in your hearts and bring you peace.”
The country artist’s sophomore album Past the Point of Rescue helped catapult him to fame in 1991, and stands as his best-selling album thanks to “Small Town Saturday Night” and “Past the Point of Rescue.” His achievements were recognized shortly afterwards by the Grand Ole Opry, who added the singer into their exclusive club as its 71st member in 1994.
Following his chart-climbing run of albums in the ’90s, the New York-born singer enjoyed a considerably successful career until his final studio album I’m the Troubadour arrived in 2014. Aside from his role as a musician, Ketchum also enjoyed an acting career and appeared in the 1988 film Heartbreak Hotel.
Read tributes to Ketchum from his peers and admirers in the country music scene here:
RIP to the great Hal Ketchum. It was exciting to hear "Small Town Saturday Night" become a hit in Nashville. It gave me hope as a kid. Love to his family. And I'm about to crank that song.
— Lilly Hiatt (@LillyHiatt1) November 25, 2020
Among many other things, this man made the finest country album of 1991. https://t.co/JXNPqK9Vok
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) November 24, 2020
Lost another voice from my childhood today. RIP Hal Ketchum. pic.twitter.com/oZKxbK2A4Z
— American Aquarium (@USAquarium) November 24, 2020
https://t.co/kRR47AeJVC
When Hal Ketchum sang he packed so much truth and passion into every lyric. His tenor rang so clear. I will miss you brother. Godspeed you home.— Radney Foster (@RadneyFoster) November 24, 2020
RIP, Hal Ketchum. Listen to Past the Point of Rescue here:
