Songwriter Don Pfrimmer Dead at 78

Songwriter Don Pfrimmer has died. The writer of hits for artists such as Ronnie Milsap, Lonestar and Tim McGraw, among others, passed away on Monday (Dec. 7) after a battle with leukemia. He was 78 years old.

Born on Sept. 9, 1937, Donald Ross Pfrimmer grew up in Whitefish, Mont. He attended the University of Montana and graduated with a B.A. in English, then worked as a commercial fisherman and a teacher in Alaska before moving to Nashville in 1973. In the mid-'70s, artists such as Lorenzo & Oscar, Kathy Barnes and David Rogers recorded his songs.

Pfrimmer's first Top 10 hit came in 1978, courtesy of Mickey Gilley, who recorded "The Power of Positive Drinking." After signing with Collins Court Music, the songwriter earned hits in the '80s with Milsap, Barbara Mandrell and Eddie Rabbitt; Tanya Tucker, the Oak Ridge Boys, Keith Whitley and more also recorded his tunes.

In the 1990s, Pfrimmer earned a Top 10 hit with Diamond Rio ("Meet Me in the Middle"). Other acts who recorded his songs in the '90s include McGraw, Kevin Sharp, Tammy Wynette and many more. Chris Cagle and Lonstar recorded Pfrimmer-penned tunes in the early 2000s.

Throughout his career, which spanned four decades, Pfrimmer wrote more than 450 songs and earned 14 ASCAP Awards. He was a 2015 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame nominee.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. The Boot extends our condolences to Pfrimmer's loved ones.

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