Blake Shelton Shared an Emotional Tribute Following the Death of Earl Thomas Conley

From Country Living

The country community is reeling after the passing of Earl Thomas Conley, who died on Wednesday morning following a battle with a condition similar to dementia. The “We Believe in Happy Endings” singer was 77.

The news was particularly difficult for The Voice coach Blake Shelton, who posted a heartbreaking tribute on Twitter. “My heart is absolutely destroyed today… I’m sad to report that Earl Thomas Conley passed away very early this morning. Earl was my all time favorite singer, hero, and my friend. Prayers to his family. We will all miss you deeply my brother. Now go rest…”

Blake’s longtime girlfriend Gwen Stefani, echoed Blake’s sentiment with a message of her own. “@blakeshelton thank u for introducing me to this beautiful artist,” she said alongside the same photo that Blake shared, which showed Blake and Earl singing and laughing. “RIP Earl Thomas Conley.”

Toby Keith, The Oak Ridge Boys, Tracy Lawrence, and Dolly Parton’s sister Stella Parton were a few of the many to share kind words about Earl, calling him “one of the great voices in country music.”

According to Rolling Stone, Earl had a nearly unbroken streak of 18 number one hits in the 80s. Some of his most popular songs include “Holding Her and Loving You” and “Angel in Disguise.” Vulture reports that Blake’s favorite album of all time is Earl’s Somewhere Between Right and Wrong.

In addition to being a favorite amongst country stars, Earl was also beloved by his family, according to The Tennessean. “He was a great dad, and he filled our lives with color,” said Erinn Scates, his youngest child.

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