Singer-Songwriter Charlie Robison Has Died At 59

Charlie Robison/Facebook

Charlie Robison, a revered singer-songwriter and ex-husband of The Chicks’ Emily Strayer, passed away on Sunday at the age of 59.

Robison succumbed to cardiac arrest and related complications at a San Antonio hospital, as confirmed by a spokesperson for his family.

Charlie Robison embarked on his musical journey in the late 1980s, honing his skills in local Austin bands  Two Hoots and a Holler and the Millionaire Playboys. In 1996, he released his first solo project, Bandera, an homage to his family’s history in the Texan Hill Country.

In 1998, Robison caught the attention of Sony and eventually signed with their Lucky Dog label. His 2001 album, Step Right Up became his sole entry into the Top 40 of the country charts with the hit song, “I Want You Bad.”

In 2018, Charlie Robison revealed that he had permanently lost the ability to sing following a surgical procedure on his vocal cords. He shared the heart-wrenching news on Facebook, stating, “Henceforth, with profound sadness, I announce my formal retirement from both live performances and the recording studio.”

But, according to local media, Robison slowly returned to the stage, singing at several Texas venues in late 2022.

Charlie Robison is survived by wife, Kristen, and four children and stepchildren. Kristen confirmed her husband’s passing in a message posted to Facebook that read, “It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that my husband, Charlie Robison has passed away today, surrounded by his family and friends. My heart is broken. Please pray for me, our children and our family.”

He was married to Emily Strayer of The Chicks from 1999 to 2008. Their relationship inspired Strayer to write the band’s hit song “Cowboy Take Me Away.”  Three of his children are from his relationship with Emily: Charles Augustus (born in 2002) and twins Julianna Tex and Henry Benjamin (born in 2005).

Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie Robison’s family and friends during this difficult time.