Todd Snider, a beloved figure in American roots music known for his wry storytelling and loose, freewheeling songs, has died. He was 59.

His record label posted to his social media accounts on Saturday (Nov. 15) that Snider died the previous day, Friday. The statement celebrated his knack for finding the precise, often comic line that made listeners feel seen and comforted, calling him a writer whose turns of phrase felt like an old friend.

Family and close friends previously disclosed that Snider had been diagnosed with pneumonia at a hospital in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and that his condition had become more complicated after he was transferred for further care. The diagnosis followed the cancellation of a scheduled tour that had been postponed after Snider was involved in a violent incident in the Salt Lake City area, according to a Nov. 3 update from his management.

Later reports from the Salt Lake Tribune said that police arrested Snider after an episode in which he initially refused to leave a hospital and then returned and allegedly threatened staff. His tour had been intended to promote his most recent record, High, Lonesome and Then Some, which was released in October.

Across a three-decade career Snider blended elements of folk, country and rock, earning praise for songs that mixed tenderness, humor and a distinctly offbeat perspective. Reviewers noted his persona as a kind of wandering, sharp-eyed troubadour who could be both cosmic and down-to-earth.

He often cited songwriting greats such as Kris Kristofferson, Guy Clark and John Prine as influences, and Prine in particular played a role in Snider’s career — Snider recorded several albums for Prine’s independent label, Oh Boy, in the early 2000s. Those records, including New Connection, Near Truths and Hotel Rooms, and the widely admired 2004 collection East Nashville Skyline, produced some of his best-known songs.

Snider’s songs were covered by artists across genres — from Jerry Jeff Walker and Billy Joe Shaver to Tom Jones — and he even co-wrote a track with Loretta Lynn that appeared on her 2016 album Full Circle.

Born and raised in Oregon, Snider developed his craft in San Marcos, Texas, before eventually relocating to Nashville. He became a fixture of the East Nashville scene and was often affectionately referred to as the neighborhood’s unofficial “mayor.” In 2021 a tornado that hit the area heavily damaged his home.

Early in his career he earned the support of Jimmy Buffett, who signed him to the Margaritaville label; that partnership led to the release of Snider’s first two albums, Songs for the Daily Planet (1994) and Step Right Up (1996).

Songs that helped define his catalog include “I Can’t Complain,” “Beer Run” and “Alright Guy.” Colleagues and fans praised Snider for the emotional honesty of his writing and for a singular voice that combined sharp observation with a generous, comic heart.

For the label’s full statement and updates, see the post on his social media page. View the announcement.

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