Lee Brice Remembers Kyle Jacobs: ‘One Of The Best People’
Brice worked closely with Jacobs for several years.
Kyle Jacobs, Lee Brice; Photo Courtesy Lee Brice
Lee Brice is mourning the loss of his longtime friend and musical collaborator, Kyle Jacobs.
Just days after Jacobs’ tragic death, Brice took to social media to pay tribute to the late songwriter/producer with a heartfelt message alongside a photo of the pair in the studio.
“These past few days have truly been some of the hardest of my life. At times, I feel lost and buried under this deep sadness. Other times, I sit and remember all the times with Kyle that bring me comfort and make me smile,” Brice shared. “He was, without a doubt, one of the best people anyone could ever hope to have in their corner… I am eternally grateful for having him in mine. I’ll keep Kellie, his family and everyone who was touched by him close to my heart.”
“I Love You, Brother”
The singer/songwriter closed his post with a message for Jacobs: “I’ll miss you til we meet again… I love you, brother.”
Brice and Jacobs’ frequently worked together. Through the years, Brice recorded several songs written or co-written by Jacobs, including “Rumor,” “Four On The Floor,” “Don’t Need No Reason,” “Good Man,” “Picture Of Me,” “Show You Off Tonight,” “See About A Girl,” “Always The Only One,” “One More Day,” “In The Swamp,” “‘Til Summer’s Gone,” and many more.
Friends and Songwriting Partners
Lee Brice and Kyle Jacobs also co-wrote Garth Brooks’ massive hit “More Than A Memory” alongside Randy Montana. The song went on to become the first song to debut at Number One on Billboard’s Country Singles chart in its entire history.
In addition to writing songs with Lee Brice, the Minnesota native also produced three of Brice’s No. 1 hits, including “Hard To Love,” “I Drive Your Truck” and “Drinking Class.”
Jacobs also wrote songs recorded by his wife, Kellie Pickler, as well as Eli Young Band, Jerrod Neimann, Garth Brooks, Kelly Clarkson, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Clay Walker and many more.
Kyle Jacobs was found dead on Friday (Feb. 17) from an “apparent suicide” in the Tennessee home he shared with Kellie Pickler.
Just two days before his death, Jacobs celebrated a career milestone alongside Brice when the album Hey World was certified platinum by the RIAA. Jacobs was a co-producer on the project and took to Instagram to mark the occasion.
“Platinum?! SWEEEET!!! An amazing crew of incredibly talented peeps put this one together…” Jacobs wrote. ”Deeply honored to be a creative part of it… Thank you, Jesus!!!”
Kellie Pickler has yet to release a statement regarding Jacobs’ death.
Kyle Jacobs and Kellie Pickler were introduced through mutual friends. After two and a half years of dating, Jacobs proposed to Pickler on June 15, 2010. The date was a meaningful one to Pickler as it was her late grandmother’s birthday.
“It turned out to be the most amazing day of my life,” Pickler previously told PEOPLE. “My whole world changed. We both feel like we got my grandmother’s blessing.”
A few months later, they wed on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2011, on the beach in Antigua.
“He makes me feel so, so great about myself. I feel so beautiful when I’m with him,” Picker previously The Boot. “He always tells me he likes me better with no makeup on and sweatpants. He makes me feel the most beautiful when I’m with him. As long as I’m healthy, then he is fine with whatever I wear.”
Pickler and Jacobs brought their love to the small screen with I Love Kellie Pickler, a reality show on CMT. The show took fans inside their personal lives and debuted on November 5, 2015. The final episode aired October 5, 2017.
The couple collaborated together on several tracks included on Pickler’s latest albums, 100 Proof (2012) and The Woman I Am (2013). They co-wrote tracks such as “Mother’s Day,” “The Woman I Am,” and “Bonnie and Clyde.”
Following the release of The Woman I Am in 2013, Pickler stepped away from making music. She later appeared on the daytime talk show Pickler & Ben, and she is currently a host on SiriusXM’s The Highway.
If you or anyone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources.
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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