Country Singer John Anderson Dies at 71

Country singer and Country Music Hall of Fame member John Anderson has died at 71, his family announced. The family said he died peacefully in his sleep. No cause of death was announced in the reports. In a statement shared on social media, Anderson’s family described him as a husband, father and grandfather, and said he was the heart of their family. They added that his music had touched many lives and said they were heartbroken by his death. Anderson was known for a distinctive country singing style and songs including “Swingin’,” “Wild and Blue,” “Black Sheep,” “Straight Tequila Night” and “Seminole Wind.” His career spanned nearly five decades, from his self-titled debut album in 1980 to “Years,” released in 2020. “Swingin’” earned Anderson the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award and Single of the Year in 1983. He later returned to the top of the country charts with “Straight Tequila Night,” released on the album “Seminole Wind.” Across his career, he had five No. 1 songs and 20 top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Born in Florida, Anderson moved to Nashville in 1971 and signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1976. He was inducted into the Nashville...