George Strait Suffers Another Devastating Loss: Mourns Longtime Band Member, Gene Elders
“Hard to believe we lost two of our music family members on the same day,” Strait shared.
George Strait; Photo by Jill Trunnell
Country music icon George Strait has suffered yet another devastating loss. On Wednesday, March 20, just hours after his longtime manager, Erv Woosley, passed away, his longtime Ace in the Hole band member Gene Elders, died.
The Texas native shared a heartfelt tribute to Elders on social media early Thursday morning.
“Hard to believe we lost two of our music family members on the same day. Our Ace In the Hole treasured band member Gene Elders passed away yesterday afternoon shortly after we lost Erv,” Strait wrote. “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.”
Elders, who hails from Austin, Texas, was a member of Strait’s Ace In the Hole band since 1984. According to his official website, he played fiddle and Mandolin for Strait and was previously an 11-year member of Lyle Lovett’s Large Band.
In addition to his time as a touring musician, Elders was also a studio musician and played on records by Strait, Lovett, Joan Baez, Lucinda Williams, Kevin Fowler, and more.
He also was a composer for film and recorded violin, mandolin, concertina, octave viola, octave mandolin, and full string sections for artists around the world.
Further details surrounding Elders’ death, including his cause of death, are unknown.
Gene Elders passed away on the same day as Strait’s manager of 45 years, Erv Woosley. Woosley, 80, died due to complications from surgery and was under doctors’ care at the time of his death.
Strait remembered his longtime friend and manager on social media following his passing.
“My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer, Erv Woolsey passed away this morning. He had complications from a surgery and just couldn’t overcome it,” he wrote. “He was a very tough man, and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much. 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.”
Woolsey was responsible for George Strait’s signing to MCA Records in the early 1980s. At the time he was working for the label and later departed his role at MCA to focus on managing George Strait’s career.
Fans rallied around George Strait to share their condolences on social media after the deaths of Erv Woosley and Gene Elders.
One user wrote, “Oh my goodness, two friends in the same day! Stay strong !! I’m very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you George, all of the band members, friends and his family.”
Another added, “Such a terrible loss of two great and talented men in Country Music and the George Strait Family. Prayers lifted to all the families. Thank you Erv for bringing us George and thank you Gene for you and your beautiful fiddle.”
While George Strait is retired from traditional touring, he continues to sell out select stadiums each year. His next scheduled tour date is set for May 4, 2024 at Lucas Oil Stadium with Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town. It will mark the first time Strait will take the stage without the presence of his longtime friends, Woolsey and Elders, which will certainly be a significant adjustment after many years of shared musical journeys.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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