Jeff Carson Dies At 58: Country Singer Succumbs To Heart Attack

Jeff Carson, the country singer who made several Billboard-charting hits, has passed away after suffering a heart attack. He was 58.

The country music hitmaker died at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee, Saturday, as per a press release from Carson’s publicist.

The singer is survived by his wife Kim Cooper Carson and son Dayton Grey Herndon Carson. He is also survived by his mother Virginia Norton, brother Steve Herndon, sister Karen Spurlock and his aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Aside from the press release, Carson’s passing was also announced on his Facebook and Instagram accounts, prompting his fans to express their shock and sadness over the news.

“Oh my goodness. This is absolutely heartbreaking news. So so sad to hear this. He was such a bright light with a beautiful and kind spirit,” Jenny Marrs wrote.

“Heartbroken for his family and fans. He was a true legend #90scountry,” another fan commented.

“So shocked. Thanks for your service to country music and law enforcement, Jeff. May you rest in peace,” a different fan added.

Born Jeffrey Lee Herndon in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Dec. 16, 1963, Carson started a career in music very early on when he sang in church.

After forming a band in Rogers, Arkansas, he moved to Branson, Missouri, wrote songs and performed his music locally.

He eventually moved to Nashville, where he started recording demos. Some of the demos he made included Tracy Byrd’s “Walking’ To Jerusalem,” Reba McEntire’s “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter” and Tim McGraw’s “I Wouldn’t Want It Any Other Way.”

In 1995, Carson got a recording contract with Curb Records, and soon after, his song “Yeah Buddy” hit the radio. It was his first charting single.

Carson released another single, “Not On Your Love,” which went number one. His follow-up song, “The Car,” became a top-five hit and bagged him his first Academy of Country Music award for Video of the Year.

The late recording artist released many other songs, including “Real Life (Was Never The Same Again),” “Shine On,” “My One And Only Love” and “Get A Guitar.” In total, 14 of his singles made it to the Billboard chart.

However, Carson decided to retire from music in 2009 and become a law enforcement officer with Franklin Police Department in Williamson County, Tennesse, CNN reported.

His demise prompted the police department to pay tribute to him on Twitter this weekend, writing, “It’s hard to believe he’s gone. One thing is for certain — Franklin Police Officer Jeff Carson changed everyone he met, all of us, for the better! Thank you, Jeff, for you [and] for your life of service and song.”

Though Carson remained on the police force until his death, he still went back to his first love, music, from time to time.

In 2019, he made a comeback by releasing a previously recorded song titled “God Save The World.” The track charted on the Music Row Top 40 chart.

Just recently, he went back to the studio with Buddy Hyatt. Deadline learned that they had started recording an album set for release later this year.

No details about his memorial plans were immediately available.