The country music industry is mourning the death of influential producer, musician, and record executive Jerry Kennedy, who died at age 85 on February 11, 2026, according to American Songwriter. Among those grieving his passing is country music superstar and “The Voice” coach Reba McEntire, who wrote a touching tribute to Kennedy the day after his death.
“The first time I heard Jerry Kennedy play was on Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Harper Valley PTA,'” McEntire wrote. “Little did I know I would one day get to work with him. He was a great friend, mentor, a patient teacher and a creative producer. I cherish my years getting to work with him and know his family. My prayers go out to everyone who will miss him as much as I will. RIP my friend. Happy Trails to you, ‘til we meet again.”
How Jerry Kennedy Helped Make Reba McEntire a Superstar
For her tribute, McEntire captioned a throwback photo of Kennedy at a studio’s mixing board. She shared the post to her Instagram Stories and wrote, “RIP my friend. Happy Trails to you, ’til we meet again.”
According to Wide Open Country, Kennedy wasn’t just a big producer, but an incredible guitarist who played on countless hit songs by Elvis Presley, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Ricky Skaggs, and Charlie Rich. Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman” also features Kennedy on the guitar.
Kennedy eventually became the head of Mercury Records, where he signed McEntire and helped turn her into a star five decades ago. He produced many of her early records, including 1981’s “Heart to Heart.”
Many fans commented on McEntire’s tribute to Kennedy, including one who wrote, “an icon. fav reba x Jerry Kennedy album is Heart to Heart.🥺”
Another chimed in, “Some of my favorite Reba music was produced my Jerry. 🙏”
Reba McEntire & Jerry Kennedy Scored Her 1st Big Hit After Arguing About It
McEntire signed with Mercury Records in November 1975 and released her eponymous debut album two years later, according to American Songwriter. She and Kennedy didn’t always see eye to eye, though.
McEntire recorded four albums in a row without landing a major hit, the outlet reported. While plotting out her fifth album, “Unlimited,” she wanted to record “Can’t Even Get the Blues No More,” an up-tempo tune by Tom Damphier and Rick Carnes, about a woman who’d grown numb to her ex’s cheating.
Kennedy wanted McEntire to stick with softer ballads, per American Songwriter, but McEntire fought for the song and won. It was the last tune she recorded for the album and, in 1982, it became the “first chart-topping hit of her career,” per the outlet.
