Madison Marlow, of popular country duo Maddie & Tae, is in mourning. On Wednesday (Feb. 28), she revealed on social media that her “Papa” had passed away.
“Heaven gained one beautiful angel today,” she wrote on Instagram. “The Lord called my sweet Papa home this morning. He was the one that inspired me to pick up a guitar and play because he played his whole life. I love you Papa. We miss you so much but we know you’re up there playing Blue Suede Shoes, cracking jokes, and entertaining everyone. ?”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfvyGhcDeRs/?taken-by=maddiemarlow
Her bandmate Tae Dye wrote, “I love you sissy,” in the comments, showing just how close their relationship is.
The duo, who won a CMA Award for Video of the year for their hit “Girl In a Country Song,” has been through a lot the past year. As they were gearing up to release their follow-up album to 2015’s extremely successful Start Here, their label, Dot Records, shut down. Other Dot artists were signed to Big Machine Label Group, but they were not. UMG Nashville instead signed them, but it was truly a roller coast of emotions for both singers, especially Marlow.
In a video updating fans about their current situation, Marlow revealed that she suffered from depression.
“We talk about God and our faith a lot,” she said. “God has a purpose for all pain. If I’m being honest, I went through a really tough depression after the label thing happened. I kind of always was the person that had a plan, had it figured out, I’ve never kind of been dropped on my ass before. That was really hard. My self-worth was tied into it, my purpose—everything. I learned now: I truly look in the mirror and love who I am today because of the pain I had to go through to get here”
She continued, “God always has a purpose. If you’re going through a hard time and something isn’t going your way, there is a purpose. There is a reason. He is building your character every day. I’m not going to allow my trials to defeat me. I’m going to let them build me up, and learn from them and take as much wisdom as I can from each trial.”
We’re sure she will do exactly this while mourning this heartbreaking loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marlow and her family during this time.