Mar 23, 2026 2:02pm PT

Ronnie Bowman, Leading Bluegrass Singer Who Wrote Hits for Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney and Other Country Stars, Dies at 64

Bowman won an ACM for co-writing Stapleton's 'Nobody to Blame' and had No. 1 hits with Chesney's 'Never Wanted Nothing More' and Brooks & Dunn's 'It's Getting Better All the Time,' on top of numerous bluegrass awards wins.

Chris Willman

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Chris Willman

Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic

ChrisWillman

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Ronnie Bowman, a preeminent bluegrass singer who was also renowned for co-writing songs recorded by top country stars like Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney and George Strait, died Sunday at age 64.

Bowman was involved in a motorcycle accident in Ashland, Tenn. on Saturday and died from his injuries the following afternoon at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville.

“His was the voice that defined ’90s bluegrass,” wrote the website Bluegrass Today in reporting his passing.