Heartbreaking for George Strait as he mourns the sad news of someone very special
On October 30, 2022, George Strait performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, as part of Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration Of The Life & Music Of Loretta Lynn. That night was meant to honor a legend, but just over a year later, Strait would find himself mourning losses of his own, deep within the heart of the country music world.
On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, George Strait took to Instagram with a heavy heart. In a deeply emotional post, he announced the death of his longtime manager and dear friend, Erv Woolsey. It wasn’t just a professional loss—it was the end of a brotherhood that had spanned over four decades. They had been more than business partners. They were family, bonded by a shared journey through the highs and lows of the music industry. For 45 years, Erv stood beside George, guiding his career with wisdom, loyalty, and an unshakable belief in his talent.
“Erv Woolsey passed away this morning,” Strait wrote, his words bare and raw. “He was unable to overcome complications from a surgery. He fought valiantly and was a very tough man, but unfortunately, it was simply too much. We will always remember the time we spent together and will miss him terribly. Won’t be the same without him.”
Alongside the post, he shared a photo of the two—older now, but smiling, weathered by time and full of stories known only to those who’ve traveled the long road together.
But what George didn’t know that morning was that grief had more in store.
While remembering Erv, George was also reminded of another painful loss—the sudden and tragic passing of his longtime drummer, Mike Kennedy, who had died in a car accident back in 2018. Mike had been the heartbeat of George’s band, keeping time not just with rhythm but with a presence that anchored every performance. His death was a devastating blow to the entire Strait family.
Though the loss of Mike had happened years earlier, the sorrow had never fully faded. Now, with Erv gone, George found himself reflecting on how fragile life is, how quickly the people who help build your legacy can be taken from you. Two men—each integral to his life, each irreplaceable—gone.
In the world of music, much is said about fame, records, and chart-toppers. But behind the curtain, behind the lights, are the friendships that shape the journey. For George Strait, Erv and Mike were not just part of his success—they were the soul of it.
As he continues to sing and perform, their absence will echo through every note. Yet their influence remains, stitched into every lyric and woven into the fabric of a career built on trust, loyalty, and love.
Even the King of Country knows that the road isn’t just paved with hits—it’s lined with memories, some too precious to ever forget.