Country singer-songwriter Hal Ketchum has died from complications of dementia, according to a Facebook post from his wife, Andrea.
She writes, "With great sadness and grief we announce that Hal passed away peacefully last night at home due to complications of dementia. May his music live on forever in your hearts and bring you peace."
Hal, who was born in Greenwich, New York, developed his musical skills in Austin, Texas, playing clubs and dance halls like the legendary Gruene Hall. He rose to popularity on the mainstream country scene in the 1990s with songs like "Small Town Saturday Night," "Past the Point of Rescue" and "Sure Love" and "Stay Forever."
A man of many talents, Hal was also a master carpenter and a painter who showed his art at the Pena Gallery in New Mexico.
In 1998, Hal was diagnosed with acute transverse myelitis, which rendered the left side of his body useless. He eventually relearned how to walk and play guitar again. In 2019, Andrea shared the news that Hal was suffering from early onset dementia and would cease performing.