Country Music Hall of Famer John Anderson, the voice behind "Swingin'," has died at 71

John Anderson, the country singer whose voice powered hits like "Swingin'" and "Straight Tequila Night," has died. He was 71.

His family shared the news Wednesday in a statement posted to his official social media pages.

The family wrote that it was "with the heaviest of hearts" that they were sharing the loss of their beloved husband, father, grandfather and best friend.

'He was so much more'

The statement went on to describe the man behind the music. "To the world, he was a gifted country music singer whose voice and songs touched countless lives. To us, he was so much more," they wrote.

"He was the heart of our family," the statement added. They said he kept them laughing, loved them fiercely and turned every ordinary moment into something special.

His loved ones said they are devastated. They added that the love he poured into them and the memories they made together will be his greatest legacy.

A career full of hits

For decades Anderson was one of the biggest names in country music. Along with his signature songs, his catalog includes "Seminole Wind," "Money in the Bank" and "Wild and Blue."

He collected many honors over the years. Among them were the CMA Horizon Award and a Single of the Year win for "Swingin'."

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame welcomed him in 2014. His induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame followed in 2024.

Over the years he also shared stages with legends of the genre, among them George Jones, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.