Country music star Jeff Carson dead at age 58

Country music singer Jeff Carson died Saturday at the age of 58, his publicist said. The publicist, Jeremy Westby, told The Hollywood Reporter that Carson passed away of a heart attack at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee. Carson had served as a member of the Franklin Police Department from 2009 until his death.

“Born on Dec. 16, 1963, Carson began playing music at an early age, often singing at his local church. After relocating to Arkansas and forming his fi rst band, Carson moved on to Branson, Mo. where he honed his talents as singer-songwriter,” according to Taste of Country.

“He took his chances on launching a major music career and moved to Nashville, where he recorded demos of songs that would become major country hits in the 90s, including Faith Hill’s ‘It Matters to Me,’ Tracy Lawrence’s ‘I See it Now’ and Reba McEntire’s ‘The Heart is a Lonely Hunter,’” the outlet added.

Carson signed with Curb Records in the mid-1990s, and would go on to see signifi – cant success in his own right, starting with the release of the single “Yeah Buddy.”

“He then recorded the singles ‘Not On Your Love’ and ‘The Car,’ which won Carson his fi rst Academy of Country Music award for video of the year,” The Associated Press reported.

“Carson’s career had 14 singles on the Billboard chart in his career, Westby said.”

Carson worked as a law enforcement offi cer in Tennessee for more than a decade, though he had returned to making music in recent years.

On social media, Carson’s death was mourned — and his legacy commemorated.