George Strait Mourns the Loss of Two Longtime Friends and Music Partners
Country music icon George Strait is facing an unimaginable heartbreak after losing two important members of his inner circle on the very same day. In a deeply personal message shared on Facebook, Strait revealed that both his longtime manager, Eugene Ervine “Erv” Woolsey, and his band’s gifted fiddle player, Gene Elders, passed away within hours of each other.
Woolsey, who had guided Strait’s career since the early 1980s, died at age 80 from complications following surgery. For more than four decades, he stood by Strait’s side, helping to navigate the singer’s rise to superstardom. Strait credited Woolsey not just for his invaluable professional guidance, but also for his unwavering friendship, calling him an irreplaceable part of his life.
On that same day, Strait also said goodbye to Gene Elders, a beloved member of his band whose mastery of the fiddle became a hallmark of the “King of Country’s” sound. Elders’ musicianship had touched countless fans, leaving a lasting imprint on the genre and contributing to some of Strait’s most memorable performances.
In his tribute, Strait expressed the deep void left by their passing, describing both men as more than colleagues—they were family. He reflected on the memories they shared, the music they created, and the lasting influence they had on his career and life.
For Strait, this double loss marks one of the most difficult chapters of his journey, and for country music fans around the world, it is a poignant reminder of the bonds behind the music they love.