https://apnews.com/article/obi...44b1e17fa6622c3ffa9b

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Charlie Robison, the Texas singer-songwriter whose rootsy anthems made the country charts until he was forced to retire after complications from a medical procedure left him unable to sing, died Sunday. He was 59.

Robison died at a hospital in San Antonio after suffering cardiac arrest and other complications, according to a family representative.

Robison launched his music career in the late 1980s, playing in local Austin bands like Two Hoots and a Holler before forming his own Millionaire Playboys. In 1996, he released his solo debut, “Bandera,” named for the Texas Hill Country town where his family has had a ranch for generations.

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When he was approached by Sony in 1998, Robison signed with its Lucky Dog imprint, which was devoted to rawer country. His 2001 album “Step Right Up” produced his only Top 40 country song, “I Want You Bad.”

In 2018, Robison announced that he had permanently lost the ability to sing following a surgical procedure on his throat. “Therefore, with a very heavy heart I am officially retiring from the stage and studio,” he wrote on Facebook.

Robison served as a judge for one year on USA Network’s “Nashville Star,” a reality TV show in which contestants lived together while competing for a country music recording contract.

He is survived by his wife, Kristen Robison, and four children and stepchildren. Three of his children were with his first wife, Emily Strayer, a founding member of the superstar country band The Chicks. They divorced in 2008.

Robison’s breakup with Strayer inspired songs on the 2009 album “Beautiful Day.” He recorded it while living across from the Greyhound bus station in San Antonio, in a loft apartment with mismatched furniture and strewn beer bottles, “the quintessential bachelor pad,” he recalled.

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“People come up to me and say they’re going through something right now, and it’s like this is completely written about them,” Robison told The Associated Press in 2009. “I wasn’t meaning to do that, but it’s been a residual effect of the record.”

Robison’s final album, the rock-tinged “High Life” from 2013, included a cover version of Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.”

Memorial services are pending.

Well, helluva way to start the day, I loved that guy’s music. The hometown he sings about is Bandera, Texas, and he was a sure enough cowboy. He went to full time ranching when he quit music, although I swear I heard that he was playing a few dates around Texas again not long ago; Todd’s posted article doesn’t say when he completely lost the ability to sing.

Here’s his hometown

That is a tough one. He was young.

Too young. I believe he had retired which probably meant there were some underlying medical conditions.

One of the greats of Texas music. New Year's Day, My Hometown, El Cerrito Place, and on and on.

Oh that sux. I like a lot of his stuff.

My Hometown was a good one.

Another good one.

You're not the best... but you're the best that I can do.

TMats, he had been doing a couple shows here and there, just to test the waters about a possible return to performing. (So I was told.)

I was lucky enough to see him back years ago when he was first starting out, and he remained one of my favorites till this day. I've been blasting him on repeat ever since I heard the news.

quote:

Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
TMats, he had been doing a couple shows here and there, just to test the waters about a possible return to performing. (So I was told.)

I was lucky enough to see him back years ago when he was first starting out, and he remained one of my favorites till this day. I've been blasting him on repeat ever since I heard the news.

Saw a couple recent videos. He looked pretty bad for a former college football player and a working rancher, but obviously, he’s been sick.