NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Award-winning country music singer Lynn Anderson has died. She was 67.
Bert Herbison, President of the Nashville Songwriters Association, confirmed her passing Friday afternoon. Anderson died Thursday of cardiac arrest at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
The multi-award winning singer was known for a string of hits throughout the 1970s and ‘80s. She was named CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1971.
She is perhaps best remembered for her song, "(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden," which was released in 1970 and was a huge crossover hit.
Anderson made numerous television appearances throughout her career and became a regular on “The Lawrence Welk Show” in 1967.
She was the daughter of famed songwriter Liz Anderson and her husband, Casey.
Herbison released a statement saying, "Lynn Anderson’s death is a personal loss to the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI). Lynn was family. Her parents, Casey Anderson and the late Liz Anderson, were two of NSAI’s founding members. Her parents were given the 'Stephen Foster' award by NSAI in February this year, where Lynn performed. We will truly miss her.”
No additional details have been released.
Several members of the country music community have responded to Anderson's passing.
Reba McEntire:
"I am a huge fan of Lynn’s. She was always so nice to me. She did so much for the females in country music. Always continuing to pave the road for those to follow. I loved her music and her love for horses. Rose Garden was a song I sang in high school in our Kiowa Cowboys High School band. She will be missed."
Duane Allen of The Oak Ridge Boys:
"It was a pleasure to record with Lynn. I remember the first time we saw her at the Utah State Fair. We were playing the small stage and we finished early enough to see her on the main stage. She owned Utah that night. She didn't stop until she won everybody's hearts including mine. She sang her way to heaven."
Phil Vassar:
"Lynn was such a sweet lady and a true classic. I loved her and I loved listening to her sing I've Never Loved Anyone More and Rose Garden. It was so great to hang out with her recently at CMA Music Festival. We will all miss her, her great smile and her sweet spirit."
