Breaking: George Strait’s Drummer, Mike Kennedy, Killed in Car Accident

Kennedy was driving his GMC Sierra on I-40 in Wilson County when he hit a tractor-trailer before colliding with a pickup truck.

Written by Alison Abbey
Breaking: George Strait’s Drummer, Mike Kennedy, Killed in Car Accident
LAS VEGAS - MAY 26: Mike Kennedy backs George Strait on drums as he performs on stage at the "39th Annual Country Music Awards" on May 26, 2004 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Mike Kennedy, who played drums for George Strait for 30 years, was killed in a tragic car accident in Tennessee on Friday. He was 59.

Kennedy was driving his GMC Sierra on I-40 in Wilson County when he hit a tractor-trailer before colliding with a pickup truck. Of the three people involved, Kennedy was the only fatality. Local news channel WKRN confirmed the news this afternoon.

Kennedy has been a member of Strait’s backing band, the Ace in the Hole Band, as well as a drummer for Ricky Skaggs, Barbara Fairchild and Jamey Johnson. In a 2011 interview with Avedis Zildjian Company, Kennedy talked about his left-handed drumming style and the influence of his father, who was also a drummer.

Paul Rodgers, production manager for George Strait, tweeted his reaction to the tragic news.

Strait’s tour manager also posted a tribute to the drummer on his Facebook page.

No additional information was available at press time.

UPDATE: Strait released a statement expressing his condolences to Kennedy’s family, adding that it would be strange to look at his drum set and not see him sitting there. He shared that Kennedy was much more than a friend to him, but like family, and he would be sincerely missed.

“Hard to put into words how much Mike’s passing has affected us all. Our hearts are broken. It’s going to be very strange not being able to look over and see him there in his spot on stage and very emotional as well I’m sure for all of us and also his fans. The band will never be the same. A part of us is gone forever. We all loved Mike and will miss him terribly. He was just as solid a friend to us all as he was a drummer, and that was damn solid. Our hearts and prayers are with his family. The Lord has him now. Rest In Peace my friend. — George Strait”