Photo: Bill Cody | By Megan Bull, Ayeesha Walsh, The Express | Bill Cody, the cherished country music broadcaster and voice of the Grand Ole Opry, has died at the age of 67. WSM Radio confirmed the news via Facebook, releasing an official statement that read, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear friend and beloved WSM voice, Bill Cody.
“A singular presence on WSM-AM Nashville for more than three decades, Bill welcomed listeners each morning on Coffee, Country & Cody with a broad smile, a conversational ease, and an unerring ability to make both artists and audiences feel at home.”
The statement continued, “He joined WSM in 1994 and had Charlie Daniels as his first in-studio guest. He built more than a morning show; he created a gathering place rooted in his deep love for country music and the people behind it.
“His contributions to broadcasting were recognised with his induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame, a star on the Music City Walk of Fame, and his forthcoming, posthumous induction into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.”
“More than his accolades, Bill will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and genuine gift for connection,” the statement continued. “He was a trusted voice, a generous friend, and a constant companion to generations of listeners.”
Before his death, Cody’s daughter Hannah disclosed in May that her father had been hospitalized in the ICU due to heart and kidney failure. She explained that Cody needed both a heart and kidney transplant and had been placed on an ECMO machine, a life-support device that temporarily takes over heart function.
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Garth Brooks reflected, “There might be someone somewhere in the world who loved country music as much, but nobody loved country music more than Bill Cody.”
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Read more about Bill here:
https://www.the-express.com/entertainment/celebrity-news/209357/bill-cody-dead-country-music
Country music icon needs two organ transplants, continues to fight for life in hospital
By Brian Linder, PennLive.com
A country music icon is battling for his life in a hospital.
The family of Bill Cody, a Country Radio Hall of Famer and announcer for the Grand Ole Opry, revealed that he is suffering from organ failure.
“Friends. Prayer warrior. I believe in the power of prayer and my daddy needs prayers,” Cody’s daughter said in a statement shared on his longtime radio station WSM’s Instagram on Sunday. “A little over 3 weeks ago he was admitted to the ICU in heart failure and kidney failure. After weeks of being on a roller coaster of emotions, tests, dialysis, medications, steps forward and steps backwards, it was determined earlier this week that his only option for survival would be a double transplant, heart and kidney.
“Many prayers have been prayed this week that he would pass all necessary tests to qualify for the transplant list,” the statement continued. “And those prayers were answered.”
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Read more about this request for the public’s help here:
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OTHER NOTABLE MUSICIANS’ DEATHS
Join us for The Hornbuckle Foundation’s 5th Annual Community Carnival Saturday, June 27th
We are passionate about the recovery and prevention of suicide and addiction in our community. The Hornbuckle Foundation provides hope and support to youth and adults facing mental health and substance use challenges by helping them find the tools and resources needed to build positive, productive lives.
What: The Hornbuckle Foundation’s 5th Annual Community Carnival
Where: Ken Caryl Ranch Community Park, 7950 Sangre de Cristo Rd, Littleton, CO 80127
When: Saturday, June 27th
Time: 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Ages: All ages! Family event.
Warning Signs of Suicide – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or if you want to discuss, call the old numbers at 800-273-TALK or 800-273-8255 for English and 888-628-9454 for Spanish. Learn the signs of someone who may be contemplating suicide.
Posting for my Veteran/singer/songwriter/musician friend Troy Hoss: Heavy on my heart so here goes: This is a very real problem … 22 Veterans a day surrender to their demons. #SuicideAwareness | Call Veteran’s Hotline: 988 #1 or 844-647-1354
From Care2 via Jock Bartley on Facebook: Trump shut down our LGBTQ+ suicide and mental health hotline, but CANADA opened a US toll-free number to theirs… so our citizens can get help anytime, at no cost: 1-877-330-6366
Kindness & empathy have no borders.
If you want to know more about any of the musicians we lost, find them at http://www.wikipedia.com
June 2026
9: Ruth Watson Henderson, 93, Canadian composer and pianist.
8: Helmut Nadolski [pl], 83, Polish musician; Nikke Ström, 75, Swedish rock musician (Nationalteatern), complications from heart surgery.
7: Yishai Levi, 63, Israeli Mizrahi music singer.
6: Ute Walther, 80, German mezzo-soprano.
5: Steve Almaas, 69, American musician (The Suicide Commandos, Beat Rodeo, The Del-Lords), cancer; Marion Fossett, 71, Irish singer (Sheeba); Ovidio Granados, 84, Colombian vallenato accordionist and songwriter; Jürgen Kesting, 85, German journalist and music critic; Talay Riley, 35, British singer (“Make You Mine”) and songwriter (“Young Dumb & Broke”, “Bounce”), stabbed; Indio Solari, 77, Argentine musician (Patricio Rey y sus Redonditos de Ricota).
4: Ian Hampton, 79, Scottish bassist (Sparks); John B. Williams, 85, American double bassist and bass guitarist (The Tonight Show, The Arsenio Hall Show).
3: Sterling Betancourt, 96, Trinidadian steelpan music arranger and musician; Margriet Hermans, 72, Belgian singer and politician (Open VLD), senator (2007–2011), euthanasia; James Blood Ulmer, 86, American guitarist.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deaths_in_2026
Photo: Bill Cody | From K102 Country’s Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1610679877732321&set=a.329571965843125
