Songwriter, Producer Ed Penney Dies

Country music songwriter and producer Ed Penney has died. Penney passed away on Dec. 29, at the age of 89.

Penney had an illustrious career as a songwriter, penning tunes for Jim Ed Brown, Anne Murray, Barbara Mandrell, Dottie West, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams, Jr., Glen Campbell and Lee Greenwood, among others. But perhaps his biggest successes came from a string of hits he wrote and produced for Terri Gibbs in the 1980s, including 'Ashes to Ashes,' 'Some Days It Rains All Night Long' and 'Somebody's Knockin',' the latter of which earned Gibbs a Grammy nod and a CMA Award.

Born in 1925, the Massachusetts native launched a successful public relations firm in 1960, Ed Penney & Associates, before moving to Music City in 1971 to pursue music full time. Following Gibbs' success, Penney moved on to other interests, including operating a book store, Dad's Old Bookstore, just outside of Nashville. Penney also served on various boards, including the Recording Academy, NSAI and Songwriter's Guild.

Penney is survived by his wife Patricia and children Linda Floyd, Edward Penney, Wayne Penney, Diane Penney, Elaine Eskew, Kathleen Penney and Kevin Penney, as well as 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

The Boot extends our deepest condolences to his family.

Country Stars Who Have Died in 2014