LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) – Busbee, a Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer, has passed away at the age of 43.
News of his death surfaced Sunday night. According to several reports, he had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, a few months ago.
Busbee — whose real name was Michael James Ryan —began his career as a jazz musician before making the switch to country. He went on to work with some of the top artists in country music, including Maren Morris, Garth Brooks, Lady Antebellum and Keith Urban among others. He co-wrote Florida Georgia Line’s “H.O.L.Y.” and multiple songs on Urban’s album Ripcord and Morris’ debut album, Hero. Additionally, he worked with pop artists including Kelly Clarkson, Shakira, Christina Aguilera and Pink for whom he co-wrote her 2013 hit “Try.”
Busbee had a worldwide publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music and a creative partnership with Red Light Management. His label, Altadena, was under the Warner Records umbrella.
In response to the songwriter’s passing, the team at Warner/Chappell Music said in a statement: “Our hearts are broken by the loss of our beautiful friend busbee. He was an extraordinary human being whose generosity, spirituality and humor inspired everyone around him. An amazingly gifted songwriter, he used his talent, his music, and his love to break down boundaries and bring people together. He left us far too soon. Our deepest condolences go to his wonderful family and all his many friends. We love you.”
The songwriter and producer is survived by his three children.
