George Strait Grieves Loss Of 2 'Music Family Members' Hours Apart

George Strait mourned the loss of two “music family members” on the same day, he shared in a statement on Thursday morning (March 21). The legendary country artist posted a tribute to his longtime friend and manager of more than four decades, Erv Woolsey, on Wednesday afternoon (March 20), and followed it with another tribute to Gene Elders.

Strait posted a black-and-white photo, taken by Jason Stoltzfus, on Instagram on Thursday morning. The photo captured Strait performing on stage facing Elders, hailed a “treasured band member.”

“Hard to believe we lost two of our music family members on the same day,” Strait said in a statement. “Our Ace In the Hole treasured band member Gene Elders passed away yesterday afternoon shortly after we lost Erv. All of our prayers go out to both families. Me and the band won’t ever be the same without our brother Gene. We loved him so much. Go play with Mike again Geno. We’ll come join you guys later.”

Strait also paid tribute to Woolsey, remembered as Strait’s manager for about 45 years and “most importantly my friend for even longer,” he said. Strait noted that Woolsey died after complications from surgery, though he “fought hard. …We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won’t ever be the same without him.”