The music community is reeling over the loss of K.T. Oslin. The singer/songwriter, who the Country Music Association deemed “one of the most iconic and defining voices in country music,” died today, Monday, December 21, at the age of 78.
Oslin rose to fame in the 1980s with her female empowerment anthem, “80’s Ladies,” which earned her two CMA Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year in 1988. Oslin was a Grammy Award and ACM Award winner as well as a member of the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Oslin went on to release chart-topping hits such as “Do Ya,” “I’ll Always Come Back,” “Hold Me” and “Come Next Monday.”
According to Music Row, the singer/songwriter had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease in recent years and resided in an assisted-living facility since 2016. Oslin’s friend and country music historian, Robert K. Oermann, revealed that she has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the days before her death, however, it is currently unknown if the virus contributed to her death.
K.T. Oslin is survived by her aunt, Reba Byrd, as well as close friends in Nashville. Funeral arrangements are pending.
