Hal Ketchum, 1990s country star, RIP

Hal's wife Andrea just announced this news on Facebook

With great sadness and grief we announce that Hal passed away peacefully last night at home due to complications of Dementia.
May his music live on forever in your hearts and bring you peace.
Andrea

 

Has the entirety of B-tier 90s country singers died already? Isn't this like the third one this year? RIP

 

R.I.P.

I thought this was a great song — real substance to it.

 

Joe Diffee...Doug Supernaw...and now Hal Ketchum. The 90s country fraternity has taken a huge hit this year. Wasn't a huge fan of Hal myself, but my dad loved him. Dad also succumbed to dementia this year. He was very talented, like a lot of the country artists from that decade that got lost in the shuffle a bit behind the platinum selling stars.

 

Another great song.

 

so sorry to hear this news - he was such a great songwriter. This has always been my favorite of his songs, from Past the Point of Rescue

 

One of the 90's best. RIP

 

Rest in peace Hal, loved your 91 Past The Point Of Rescue album

 

I worked with him professionally back about 20 years ago. A very friendly, down-to-earth guy. Very sad to hear about this, even though it comes as no surprise given his serious health issues in recent years.

 

He was indeed a very friendly and down to earth guy.

 

According to syracuse.com, he got his start at age 15, performing as a drummer with a R&B trio in small clubs before eventually making his way to Texas and launching a career as a singer-songwriter.

 

You still have Doug Stone, Billy Dean, Neal McCoy, Collin Raye, Pam Tillis, etc. among this tier of 90s country singers still alive.

 

Sad news to hear and that he suffered from dementia. “Past the Point of Rescue” is one of my favorite country songs. I liked “I Know Where Love Lives” as well.



RIP

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Hal during my old country radio days and he was a really quiet nice guy. I also met Joe Diffie and Doug Supernaw, two more nice guys, whom we also sadly lost recently.

My personal favorite by Hal was this simple little ballad called "Stay Forever", which I would often sneak into my daily "Top 6 at 6" drive home segment.

 

"Days Of Wonder" (1999)

 

I had forgotten how good Past The Point Of Rescue was. It's fantastic! RIP Hal.

 

"Past The Point Of Rescue" is a great song! I discovered it through the original Dixie Chicks, who covered it in 1992. It was originally recorded by an Irish singer named Mary Black in 1988:

 

He did a country-influenced version of "Five O'Clock World" in 1991:

(the song was written by Allen Reynolds.....who produced Ketchum's major-label debut album)

 

Grim news.

I don't know his work but the songs posted above suggests a serious talent.

Condolences to all who cared about him.

 

Which was written by Allen Reynolds, who would later become a legendary Nashville country producer including producing stuff for Hal, Crystal Gayle, Garth, etc.

 

You ought to get a Greatest Hits CD or start with Past The Point of Rescue and/or Sure Love.

 

I enjoyed Hal Ketchum's recorded works and am sorry to hear of his passing. I was aware that he had serious health issues. I really like his version of 'Past The Point of Rescue' which incidentally was written by Irish country/folk artist Mick Hanley. RIP Hal.

 

Just ordered Past The Point Of Rescue and added a couple others to my Christmas wants list. He had a wonderful voice, bless him.

 

Rest in Peace, Hal