‘Rose Garden’ Singer Lynn Anderson Dies

Country music singer, and classic cool cowgirl Lynn Anderson has passed away in Nashville at the age of 67. Her signature song 'Rose Garden', written by Joe South, was released in 1970, was a number one hit for 5 weeks, and remains one of the most beloved songs in country music history. Anderson was the first female country artist to win the American Music Award (in 1974), as well as the first to headline and sellout Madison Square Garden. She was also named Billboard's Female Artist of the Decade in 1970-1980.

According to the Nashville Tennessean, Ms Anderson had a heart attack after a bout with pneumonia following a trip to Italy. She was the daughter of country music songwriters Casey and Liz Anderson, who wrote many hits for Merle Haggard. She is survived by her father, her partner Mentor Williams, three children and four grandchildren.

Lynn Anderson was at Fan Fair / CMA Music Fest every year, and I always stopped to talk to her at her booth in the Exhibit Hall. She was so sweet, and still had many, many fans. RIP, Lynn.