Texas Singer-Songwriter Charlie Robison Dies At 59

Singer-songwriter Charlie Robison passed away on Sunday (Sept. 10). He was 59.

Robison reportedly died at a hospital in San Antonio after suffering cardiac arrest and other complications. His death was confirmed via a Facebook post from his wife, Kristen Robison.

Robison grew up in Texas making music with his brother Bruce. After a knee injury playing football for Southwest Texas State halted his sports career, he began performing in the late 1980s in Austin with several local bands. In 1996, he ventured out solo, releasing his debut album Bandera, named after the town where his family has owned a ranch for generations.

In 1998, Robison signed with Sony Music’s Lucky Dog imprint, and released a couple of albums including 2001’s Step Right Up, which included the top 40 single, “I Want You Bad.” In 2004, his Dualtone album Good Times included “El Cerrito Place,” which was written by Keith Gattis and later recorded by Kenny Chesney. The title track was featured in the credits of the HBO series True Blood in the third episode of the first season. In 2009, Robison released Beautiful Day, and his final project, High Life in 2013, which included a cover of Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece.” He released nine albums over the course of his career.

In 2018, Robison was forced to step away from making the music he loved and retire, announcing that he had permanently lost the ability to sing following a surgical procedure on his throat.

Robison served as a judge for one year in 2003 on the inaugural season of USA Network’s Nashville Star reality competition, in which contestants lived together while competing for a country music recording contract.

He is survived by his wife and four children and stepchildren. Three of his children were with first wife, Emily Strayer, a founding member of The Chicks. Details for memorial services have not been announced yet.

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at [email protected].

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