Country Stars Share Heartfelt Goodbyes To David Allan Coe
on Apr 30, 2026 • Updated May 04, 2026
David Allan Coe Dies At 86
One of the last remaining outlaws, David Allan Coe, passed away on April 29th at the age of 86. A representative confirmed to Country Rebel that he passed away in the hospital around 5 p.m. central. A cause of death is not yet known.
Coe is survived by his wife of 16 years, Kimberly Hastings Coe, and his five children: Tyler Mahan Coe, Tanya Montana Coe, Shelli Coe, Shyanne Coe, and Carla Coe. Meet them here.
As news of his death spread, many country artists shared heartfelt words and personal tributes to their fellow musician online.
Country Stars Remember David Allan Coe
Tanya Tucker
Tanya Tucker and David Allan Coe have been close since the 70s. Coe saw his first taste of success as a songwriter when Tucker cut his song “Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone).” It later became a No. 1 hit.
“Losing my buddy is hard,” she began, adding that he passed peacefully in his wife Kim’s arms. She continued:
“We have a lot of history together me and DAC. He was a part of my success in this business. A big part. It really breaks my heart that I didn’t get to say goodbye my love my heart goes out to Kim. She loved the man now if I can just get through the night thinking about all the memories and the song would you lay with me in the field of Stone if my needs were strong Would you lay with me thanks DAC. You’ll always be a part of me.”
Alan Jackson
Country legend Alan Jackson shared a post in honor of David Allan Coe, crediting him for being a major inspiration behind his move to Nashville. Jackson wrote:
“His song ‘The Ride’ is one of the inspirations that brought me to Nashville. He was a colorful and talented singer/songwriter.”
Kid Rock
Kid Rock spent significant time with Coe over the years while touring, writing, and, as he says, “just hanging out.” He wrote:
“I knew a side of Dave most people never got to see. He was such a deep thinker, kind and about as real as an outlaw can get! He did not give a damn what anyone thought of him.”
Additionally, Kid Rock says he has “piles of songs” written with his fellow country artist that he needs to “dig up.”
Uncle Kracker
Uncle Kracker met David Allan Coe 30 years ago in Dallas. In a personal statement shared online, he says he could write a novel with all the stories from their decades of friendship. The singer recalls:
“A lot of firsts along the way with David. The first time I ever heard my own song playing on the radio I was driving in a car talking to David on the phone. The first time I ever read a review on myself, David was with me and coached me through that.”
Uncle Kracker was on tour with Kid Rock when his song “Follow Me” caught fire, and Coe would join him on stage every night to perform it. He shares:
“I was lucky to know the David that everybody else knew, but I was even luckier to know a different David than everybody else knew. The one I wrote songs with to the one that would just come to Detroit and hang out with me and my daughters. He taught me a lot.”
John Carter Cash
Being the son of Johnny Cash and June Carter, John Carter Cash grew up around some of country music’s most legendary artists. He got to know David Allan Coe when he was “around seven or eight years old.”
Cash shared some of his cherished memories of the late musician:
“I remember him showing up on a motorcycle outside of my father’s office. I remember him walking in wearing a helmet, then coming out of the bathroom with perfect hair. I said in my dad‘s office while he and dad talked and chatted about regular life. Then he went back into the bathroom, came back out with his helmet on, then went outside and got back on his motorcycle and disappeared into the sunset. There has never been anyone else like David Allan Coe and they never will be again.”
Our condolences are with David Allan Coe’s loved ones during this time. May he rest in peace.
