The country music icon, who is best known for his hit single Chattahoochee, passed away following a tragic fall.

Country music star Jim McBride has died aged 78 (Image: Getty Images)

Country music legend Jim McBride has sadly died “unexpectedly” at the age of 78 after suffering a reported fall. The beloved songwriter, who is best known for writing hits such as Chattahoochee and Chasing that Neon Rainbow for Alan Jackson, passed away on  Tuesday (January 6). Many of his songs were recorded by country music legends, including Johnny Cash, George Jones, and Reba McEntire.

The musician was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame back in 2017 and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1995, and served as president of Nashville Songwriters Association International. Singer-songwriter Jerry Salley confirmed the news of McBride’s death in a post shared on Facebook, where he described the musician as his “close friend” and a “lifelong brother.”

He wrote: “We met at my very first publishing company back in the early 1980s. He was already a big hit songwriter, having had hits with Conway Twitty, Johnny Lee, and others. I’ll never know why he took a chance to write with me, but man, we hit it off, became instant friends, and loved being in the writing room together. He always brought out the best in me.”

Salley revealed that the musician had been in touch with him just hours before his tragic fall two days ago. He concluded his emotional tribute with: “You were a great songwriter. You were a great man. And, you were an even greater friend. What hurts the most is that I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

“My best friend. We talked or texted every few days right up until the end.” Famous friends and fans of the hitmaker have also been sharing their heartfelt messages of condolences and fond memories after his passing hit the headlines.

The Alabama Music Hall of Fame shared in a statement: “Jim was a beloved Alabamian, songwriter, friend, mentor, and so much more.” In a tribute shared on Facebook, a close friend added: “You were a great songwriter. You were a great man. And you were an even greater friend.”

The musician is survived by his wife and two sons (Image: PA Images)

McBride was born in the heart of Huntsville, Alabama, and discovered a passion for music at an early age. He soon pursued a career in music, with reports stating that he started bringing his songs to Nashville in the early 1970s.

His first hit song that launched him into the country charts was Leon Everette’s hit single, We Let Love Fade Away back in 1979. He went on to release the song I’m Gettin’ Into Your Love by Ruby Falls just six months later.

McBride leaves behind a lasting legacy in the Nashville music scene, along with his wife Jeanne Ivey and his two sons, Brent and Wes, who were born from a previous relationship.