Michael Busbee, popular songwriter and producer credited for kickstarting Maren Morris’ career has passed away.
The 43 year-old, known in the industry as ‘busbee’ worked with pop acts like Christina Aguilera, Shakira and Pink but is best known for marking his territory in country music with writing credits for several hit songs including Lady Antebellum’s ‘You Look Good’, Florida Georgia Line’s chart-topper H.O.L.Y., Rascal Flatts’ ‘Summer Nights’, and Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood’s collab ‘The Fighter.’ He also co-wrote Garth Brooks’ comeback song ‘People Loving People’.
As of the last 2-3 years Busbee co-wrote and produced a plethora of hits with Maren Morris and her 2016 debut album “Hero” like her breakout song ‘My Church’ and ’80s Mercedes’. My Church earned the California native a Grammy nomination.
This just doesn’t seem fair. I will always love you and the songs and albums I was lucky to make with you, Busbee. Rest well, my sweet friend. 💔 pic.twitter.com/9DKsU5G77a
— MAREN MORRIS (@MarenMorris) September 30, 2019
Busbee also is credited with being at ground level for Carly Pearce and ‘Every Little Thing’.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B3BDN-aFs3n/
Other Nashville artists also weighed in on this huge loss.
music lost one of our best💔
your words & melodies will live forever. rest easy busbee @ Nashville, Tennessee https://t.co/FmNhFbYJJH— LOCASH (@LOCASHmusic) September 30, 2019
RIP Busbee. An absolute talent. Gone too damn soon.
— Travis Denning (@Travis_Denning) September 30, 2019
There is no official cause of death, but CMT reports he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer- just a few months back. Busbee leaves behind his wife Jessie and three daughters.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Busbee family…