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, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.
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