Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

The Death of Gary Stewart Is Just So Heartbreaking

Gary Stewart Death
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Gary Stewart’s death on December 16, 2003, was just so tragic and shocking. Stewart was an American country singer and songwriter. He was popularly known for his unique vibrato voice and was known as the “King of Honkytonk.” Throughout his career, Stewart has had several country chart hits. He is best known for his song, “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles),” which was included in the U.S. country singles chart.

What Caused Gary Stewart’s Death?

Mary Lou Stewart, Gary’s wife of almost 43 years, died on November 26, 2003, due to pneumonia. Because of this tragic event, Gary canceled his scheduled concert appearances at Billy Bob’s. Later on, Gary’s friends revealed that the singer was so depressed by the death of his wife.

On December 16, Bill Hardman, his close friend, and his daughter’s boyfriend went to his home in Fort Pierce, Florida to check on Gary. Unfortunately, they discovered the dead body of the singer with a self-inflicted gunshot wound on his neck.

Gary Stewart was born on May 28, 1945, in Jenkins, Kentucky. His family moved to Fort Pierce after his father got injured in a mining accident. When he was still a teenager, he played country and rock music in bars. Mel Tillis was the one who encouraged and discovered him. One of the best Gary Stewart songs was his cover of “Ramblin’ Man,” which was originally recorded by the Allman Brothers. It peaked at number 63 on the charts. However, his succeeding single, “Drinkin’ Thing,” made it to the Top 10. And from that moment on, he was on his way.

Stewart’s album Out of Hand, released in 1975, jumped to number. 6 on the Billboard country album chart. Consequently, this album includes his number 1 hit song, “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles).”

Gary Stewart’s death comes as a surprise to his family and friends, most especially since the country music artist died just one month after his wife died.

Latest Stories

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

Parker McCollum Claps Back After Oliver Anthony Hints at Autotune Allegations

After viral sensation Oliver Anthony shared some candid—and controversial—thoughts about the music industry, country music fans were abuzz recently. The conversation escalated when Anthony hinted that a mainstream country artist ...

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis' Grammy-Winning "Forever and Ever, Amen"

The Timeless Legacy of Randy Travis’ Grammy-Winning “Forever and Ever, Amen”

When it comes to country music that stands the test of time, Randy Travis is the name that echoes through the halls of history. His deep, resonant voice and unparalleled ...

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Phil Robertson Faces Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Amid Blood Disease Complications

The Robertson family, known for their Duck Dynasty fame, has revealed concerning news about their beloved patriarch, Phil Robertson. On a recent episode of their podcast, Unashamed with the Robertson ...

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Earliest Known Country Music Recording Discovered, Dating Back to 1891

Country music has always been a storytelling tradition, weaving the trials and triumphs of everyday life into melodies that stand the test of time. While most fans trace the roots ...

The All-American Rejects Reveal "Dirty Little Secret" Started as a Country Song

The All-American Rejects Reveal “Dirty Little Secret” Started as a Country Song

Who would’ve thought? The All-American Rejects, those emo-rock icons of the 2000s, recently revealed a surprising twist about one of their biggest hits. During an interview on the Zach Sang ...

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery's "Sold" With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top Revives John Michael Montgomery’s “Sold” With a Neotraditional Twist

Zach Top is quickly solidifying his place as one of country music’s most exciting rising stars. Hailing from Sunnyside, Washington, Zach brings a neotraditional flair to his music that feels ...

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds' Show

Revisiting the Time Dolly Parton and Country Queens Sang Together on Burt Reynolds’ Show

Burt Reynolds may be best remembered as a Hollywood icon. Still, in the early ’90s, he brought country music royalty together for an unforgettable moment in television history. On his ...

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Mainstream Media Tried to Cancel Chris Stapleton, But Fans Rallied Behind Him

Chris Stapleton’s dominance at the 2024 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards was not without controversy. As he walked away with Single of the Year and Song of the Year for ...

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" Album as "Complete Trash"

Oliver Anthony Criticizes Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” Album as “Complete Trash”

Oliver Anthony is no stranger to controversy. Known for his unapologetic stance against the mainstream music industry, the artist behind “Rich Men North of Richmond” recently turned his attention to ...

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville's Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony Slams Nashville’s Music Industry for Prioritizing Profits Over Authenticity

Oliver Anthony, the breakout star whose hit “Rich Men North of Richmond” skyrocketed him to fame, has made it clear that he wants nothing to do with the music business’s ...