Beloved Country Music Icon is Remembered and Celebrated by His
Family, Friends, and Fans
ALBERTVILLE, Ala., Sept. 13,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- On Thursday, September 12, 2024,
Kathryn Stengel announced to friends and fans that famed
country music songwriter and author Rock Killough had passed away.
Kathryn, known as "Birdie" by Rock and her family and close
friends, is Rock's beloved niece, who considers and loves her as
his own daughter.
"To hear Rock sing the songs he wrote is
like having a direct connection to his soul. His writing and
reading of short stories is just an extension of this very gifted
artist. The soul of Rock is pure GOLD." ~ Duane Allen | The Oak Ridge Boys
As a songwriter, Rock Killough was a protégé of legendary
songwriter Hank Cochran ("Make The
World Go Away"; "I Fall To Pieces"). Also, he was a proud veteran
of the U.S. Army, where he honed his unique songwriting skills,
eventually crafting music for some of country music's legends,
including The Oak Ridge Boys, Sammy
Kershaw, Randy Travis,
Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams, Jr., Merle Haggard, Latimore, Jerry Jeff Walker, 4 Runner, Hank Snow, David
Fizzell, Larry Cordle, and
Coon Elder Band. Also, in 2022, Rock published his first and only
book, Rock Killough's Front Porch Stories, where he invited readers
and fans to tour his life, his unique thoughts, and the beautiful
views from the solitude of his front porch in Alabama.
In 1976, he found himself in Nashville and was signed to one of the largest
publishing houses in country music, where he wrote some of country
music's favorites, including "Take Jesus as Your Lawyer," "Where
Can I Surrender," "Still Loving You," and "The House at the End of
the Road."
"Words cannot express the impact Rock made in country music,"
stated Olivia Truong, CEO of God
Manifest Publishing. "He is a true music legend, and his music has
literally inspired generations of musicians and songwriters from
all genres. My team and I feel extremely blessed to have published
his first book, Rock Killough's Front Porch Stories. Rock Killough
was a true gift to the music world, and I'm certain his legacy will
live on through his music."
Since the announcement of Rock's passing was made public,
tributes have flooded social media. His family, friends, musicians,
and fans pay tribute to Rock Killough and his legendary career.
Rest in peace, Rock Killough!
TRIBUTES
"I always loved getting a new song from Rock Killough. To hear
Rock sing the songs he wrote is like having a direct connection to
his soul. His writing and reading of short stories is just an
extension of this very gifted artist. The soul of Rock is pure
GOLD."
~ Duane Allen | The Oak Ridge
Boys
"A master wordsmith whose lyrics and stories pull you in like
you are riding shotgun. Rock Killough is a true southern treasure.
Hop in and enjoy the ride!"
~ Steve Norman | Probate Judge,
Butler County, Alabama (ret)
"I've been listening and enjoying Rock's stories and musings for
the 40 years we've traveled the roads playing our songs. Some are
funny, some thoughtful, but all are from the heart."
~ Sonny Throckmorton | Hall of
Fame Songwriter
"I have been a fan of Rock Killough's songwriting since I first
heard the magnificence of 'House at the End of the Road' many years
ago. This new collection of stories Rock tells us from his life
growing up in the country takes me back to my own childhood's front
porch when life was a lot more simple and a lot more easy to
understand. Surely Rock's life has been and still is a beautiful
song."
~ Buddy Cannon | Hall of Fame
Songwriter and Producer
"From 'Take Jesus As Your Lawyer' to 'Where Can I Surrender' to
'Still Loving You' to 'The House at the end of the Road,' Rock has
always written thought provoking music. In his vintage years, his
musings from the front porch have always stirred beautiful images
and points of view that I might have not considered before, but
have always entertained! You will enjoy this collection!"
~ Debbie Phillips | (Mrs. Bum
Phillips)
Rock Killough's Front Porch Stories is available on Amazon.com
in paperback, hardcover, and eBook (Kindle).
About Rock Killough
Rock Killough is from a small rural community in Alabama. His love of music started at age
eight when he began playing guitar. By the time he graduated high
school, Rock knew the road down which his future would lead,
songwriting. Rock's historic career includes songs on two gold
albums by The Oak Ridge Boys, gold and platinum albums by
Hank Williams, Jr. and Sammy Kershaw, singles by Randy Travis and Brenda
Lee and a song on Hank Williams,
Jr.'s infamous Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound album, as well as
cuts by Waylon Jennings,
Mickey Newbury, Carole King, Jerry Jeff
Walker, Johnny Rodriguez,
Jerry Reed, and numerous others.
Rock also appeared on the first "Austin City Limits" Songwriter's
Special. As a musician, Rock has opened concerts for Willie Nelson, John
Prine, and Townes Van Zandt,
to name a few. www.godmanifestpublishing.com/rock-killough/
About God Manifest Publishing
God Manifest Publishing was founded in 2019 to provide big
publisher services at a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the
author's royalties to new and lesser-known, Christian-based
authors. Whether you're seeking a professional publisher to provide
the full spectrum of publishing services (copy editing,
proofreading, design, and distribution), or you're a self-publisher
seeking a publishing partner to provide you with one or more of the
many behind-the-scenes services that authors need, God Manifest
Publishing is ready to help your book come alive.
www.godmanifestpublishing.com.
Media Contact
Jonnathan Zin Truong, God
Manifest Publishing, 1 2817988261,
jonnathan@godmanifestpublishing.com,
https://godmanifestpublishing.com/
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SOURCE God Manifest Publishing