The year 2017 has been a great one for many country stars: Grammys trophies, ACM Awards wins, superstar tours and highly anticipated new music have all been part of the year. However, it's also been an incredibly sad year, as several beloved country music artists have died.

Among those country names who passed away in 2017 are Sam Lovullo, who helped bring Hee Haw into the homes of many as the TV show's producer and casting director; 69-year-old Butch Trucks, who was a founding member of and the drummer for the Allman Brothers Band; and 61-year-old songwriter Greg Trooper, who wrote hits including "Little Sister" and "We Won't Dance." Trooper's tunes were recorded by several country singers, including Vince GillRobert Earl Keen, Billy Bragg and Steve Earle.

Horn player Don Markham, also a multi-instrumentalist in Merle Haggard's band, died this year as well; he was a close friend to Haggard. The world also lost Dolly Parton's former manager, Don Warden; he was 87, a steel guitarist and known by Parton as "Mr. Everything."

Click through the photo gallery above to read more about the lives, careers and memories of the talented and beloved artists who have passed away in 2017.

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