The country music world is in mourning.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (August 27), musician Neal Casal’s team revealed that the talent had sadly passed away at the age of 50.
The post read,”It’s with great sadness that we tell you our brother Neal Casal has passed away. As so many of you know, Neal was a gentle, introspective, deeply soulful human being who lived his life through artistry and kindness. His family, friends and fans will always remember him for the light that he brought to the world. Rest easy Neal, we love you.”
https://www.facebook.com/nealcasal/photos/a.201845066513925/2637877572910650
You may not know Casal’s name, but you surely know of his work. He was most well-known for his work as the lead guitarist for singer Ryan Adams’ backing band The Cardinals.
Besides rocking out on stage, Casal was a very sought after studio guitarist, working with the likes of Willie Nelson, Shooter Jennings, Lucinda Williams, Amanda Shires, and Tift Merritt.
He also played with the Jayhawks, the Chris Robinson Brotherhood and the Hard Working Americans. Casal was talented singer-songwriter, released several solo albums, and founded the group Circles Around The Sun.
His frequent collaborators mourned his death on social media. Jennings said, “I am absolutely devastated with the news of the loss of my dear friend and consistent collaborator [Neal Casal]. He was always my favorite picker in LA and we’d all just finished some beautiful music together. I’m really just hollowed out by this. God bless NC.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1qq5zLFE3G/
See reactions from Shires and Adams below.
Love you Neal. Rest easy. I already miss doing jokes with you. pic.twitter.com/q5iNtBZ1dH
— Ol’ Monster Shires (@amandashires) August 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheRyanAdams/status/1166323069184430081
Oh man.
My heart is broken
What an honor to have known you, true believer. I love you. Go easy
“I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain”#RIPNealCasal pic.twitter.com/4vlj3l2EoU— Ryan Adams (@TheRyanAdams) August 27, 2019
Rolling Stone reached out to Casal’s rep for a cause of death, but they have yet to respond. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Casal’s family and friends.