LIST: Brad Paisley, Carly Pearce, & Other Country Stars Honor Bill Cody In Heartfelt Tributes
on Jun 10, 2026 • Updated Jun 10, 2026
The country music community is mourning the loss of beloved Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM Radio host Bill Cody.
On May 31, Bill’s daughter, Hannah Davis, said he needed prayers. She described how he’d been admitted to the ICU three weeks prior in heart and kidney failure.
Eventually, doctors determined that Bill needed a heart and kidney transplant. Although he passed the tests to qualify for the transplant list, he “took a downward spiral.”
Sadly, WSM shared on Tuesday (June 9) that Bill Cody had passed away at the age of 67. They shared a beautiful tribute highlighting his various achievements, but also celebrating him as a person, writing:
“More than his accolades, Bill will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and genuine gift for connection. He was a trusted voice, a generous friend, and a constant companion to generations of listeners.”
Bill Cody joined WSM in 1994 and welcomed Charlie Daniels as his first guest in the studio. He worked at the Opry for just as long, often serving as the host during the fan-favorite Opry Country Classics shows.
Bill was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame and also received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame. He’ll soon be posthumously inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.
In other words, Bill was a key figure in the country music community. He formed friendships with many artists over the years…and those artists are now taking the time to honor his impact on their lives.
See How The Country Music Community Is Remembering Bill Cody
Opry member Brad Paisley shared a simple but powerful tribute to Bill Cody after learning about his death. He wrote, “Devastated by this news. We loved you Bill. When the roll is called up yonder, I hope it’s your voice.”
Carly Pearce, who was inducted into the Opry in 2021, fondly remembered the first time she met Bill.
“I first met Bill backstage at the Opry back in 2014,” she wrote. “‘What’s your name? You look like you sing’ he said. He gave me his email that night & asked me to send him some of my music. I had nothing going on at the time, but he immediately became my champion and started having me in regularly on his radio show.”
She said that over the past 12 years, Bill became a “dear friend.” She remarked how “it feels cruel” to think that she will never hear his voice or hug him again.
Carly shared several pictures of herself and Bill together through the years. The last photo in the slideshow was a message Bill wrote in 2014 to help Carly out when she was still looking for a record deal. He sweetly described her as a charming and talented performer, calling her “my friend.”
RELATED: CARLY PEARCE PERFORMS ELLA LANGLEY’S HIT SONG…AND ELLA RESPONDS
Of course, Brad and Carly weren’t the only people who paused to honor Bill Cody following his death. See a list of other heartfelt tributes below.
Lorrie Morgan
Rhonda Vincent
Kelly Sutton
Bill Anderson
John Carter Cash
Charles Esten
T. Graham Brown
Jamey Johnson
Tim Foust Of Home Free
Thompson Square
Lee Greenwood
The Bellamy Brothers
The Grand Ole Opry
Opry members Dierks Bentley and Garth Brooks shared statements with Variety about Bill’s death. Garth said:
“There might be someone somewhere in the world who loved country music as much, but nobody loved country music more than Bill Cody.”
Dierks wrote:
“Country music has lost one of its pillars. Bill was just as important to the fabric of our music and city as any artist, songwriter or musician. No one loved country music, its history and its characters more than Bill Cody. Prayers to his family and Charlie and Kelly and everyone that knew and loved him at WSM and the Opry.”
Our hearts and prayers go out to all who knew and loved Bill Cody. May he rest in peace…
