Top Country News of 2008: No. 6

Legends Lost

Country fans bid a sad farewell to several legendary artists in 2008. In May, pop-country balladeer Eddy Arnold, the only country artist ever to have hits spanning seven decades, died at 89. Buddy Harman, the first staff drummer for the Grand Ole Opry, died in August at age 79. Two weeks later, iconic musician and actor Jerry Reed lost his battle with emphysema at age 71. And on September 12, the Opry lost another legend when Charlie Walker died at age 81.