Todd Snider, a revered figure in American roots music known for his thoughtfully freewheeling tunes and cosmic-stoner songwriting, has died at the age of 59. His record label announced on Saturday, November 15, that Snider passed away on Friday. The statement eloquently praised his ability to always find the right words, to distill everything to its essence with song and phrase, and to deliver devastatingly hilarious and impactful turns of phrase. He was celebrated for creating rhyme and meter that felt like an old friend and for consistently finding humor in life's journey.

The circumstances surrounding Snider's death involved a diagnosis of pneumonia at a hospital in Hendersonville, Tennessee, which led to a more complicated situation and a transfer. This health setback followed the cancellation of a tour supporting his most recent album, "High, Lonesome and Then Some," released in October. The tour's cancellation was initially attributed to a violent assault Snider experienced in the Salt Lake City area. However, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that Snider himself was later arrested by Salt Lake City police after he initially refused to leave a hospital and subsequently returned to threaten staff.

Over a three-decade career, Snider expertly combined elements of folk, rock, and country. The Associated Press notably described him as a "singer-songwriter with the persona of a fried folkie" and a "stoner troubadour and cosmic comic." He meticulously modeled himself on, and was at times mentored by, legendary artists such as Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark, and John Prine. His influential songs were recorded by many artists, including Jerry Jeff Walker, Billy Joe Shaver, and Tom Jones. He also co-wrote a song with country icon Loretta Lynn, which appeared on her 2016 album, "Full Circle."

Snider's most acclaimed and best-known work was created for John Prine’s independent label, Oh Boy, in the early 2000s. This prolific period included the albums "New Connection," "Near Truths and Hotel Rooms," and the 2004 collection "East Nashville Skyline," which is widely considered his finest. These albums produced some of his most recognized songs, such as "I Can’t Complain," "Beer Run," and "Alright Guy."

Born and raised in Oregon, Snider developed his musical prowess in San Marcos, Texas, before settling in Nashville. There, he earned the unofficial title of "mayor of East Nashville," inheriting it from a friend. In 2021, a tornado that tore through the vibrant arts scene of his neighborhood severely damaged his home. Early in his career, Snider found an ardent supporter in Jimmy Buffett, who signed the young artist to his Margaritaville record label, which released Snider's first two albums: 1994’s "Songs for the Daily Planet" and 1996’s "Step Right Up."