Jim McBride, who penned several country music hits such as “Chattahoochee” and “Chasing That Neon Rainbow,” has died. He was 78.
The Huntsville, Alabama native died on Jan. 6, WAFF reported. A cause of death was not revealed.
McBride’s songs were recorded by country music giants including Johnny Cash, George Jones, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Kris Kristofferson, Randy Travis, Brenda Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis, Toby Keith and more.
However, McBride’s most successful singles were recorded by Alan Jackson. After meeting in the early 1990s, the duo collaborated on the hits “Chasing That Neon Rainbow,” “(Who Says) You Can’t Have It All,” “Someday” and “Chattahoochee.”
The latter song topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for four weeks and won CMA Awards for Single and Song of the Year in 1993 and 1994, respectively. “Chattahoochee” has since been certified three-times platinum by the RIAA.
Jackson honored his late friend and collaborator in an emotional post on Instagram Thursday.
“Jim was a good man and a great and genuine songwriter. He understood country music and touched many with his songs,” Jackson wrote. “Jim and I wrote some of my favorite songs together and I don’t know if my career would have ended up quite the same without his help, inspiration, and encouragement in my early years. Thank you Jim, rest in peace.”
McBridge also co-wrote the top 10 singles “Angels In Waiting” by Tammy Cochran and “What I Meant To Say” by Wade Hayes.
“Jim was one of the finest men I ever met,” Hayes wrote on Facebook on Wednesday. “This is a tough loss. Rest in peace my friend.”
McBride was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017 as well. The songwriter also received accolades from ASCAP, BMI, NSAI, NARAS, AMA, ACM and Billboard.
