Hit Songwriter Todd Cerney Loses Battle With Cancer

Todd Cerney, a well-known Nashville singer and songwriter, passed away March 14 after a four-month battle with melanoma. He was 57 years old.

The Grammy-nominated tunesmith penned several of country's biggest hits, including Restless Heart's 'I'll Still Be Loving You' and 'Good Morning, Beautiful,' recorded by Steve Holy. With an equally successful catalog in the rock and pop world, Todd's lengthy list of credits also includes cuts by Loverboy, Cheap Trick, Aretha Franklin, Eddie Money and Bad English.

Todd was diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma after suffering a brain seizure. He chronicled his illness on a special website created to keep his loyal fans informed. "I had no warning; I felt fine up until the moment of the seizure," he revealed in November. "Two and a half months ago, I was in Saudi Arabia with Thom Shepherd & the Nashville Hit Songwriters band performing at our American embassies there ... They say life changes in the blink of an eye. My life and [my wife] Kip's have changed forever. We have a long, tough journey ahead, but we are together for now and as long as we can be."

The Music City community rallied around Todd and his family, hosting many benefits to help offset the mounting medical bills. Restless Heart, Steve Holy, Ty Herndon, Bo Bice and Jeff Bates joined several hit songwriters including Rivers Rutherford, Lisa Carver, Fred Knobloch and Rich Fagan, in a special show just three weeks ago to raise money for Todd. He was originally scheduled to perform at the benefit, but had to cancel when his health took a turn for the worse.

Todd's last public performance was on February 11, when he sang at Nashville's famed Puckett's Grocery venue. Watch him sing 'Good Morning, Beautiful' at his final gig below.

Donations for Todd's family can be mailed to: Friends of Todd Cerney Account, Regions Bank, 1600 Division St., Nashville, TN 37203.

Our condolences go out to Todd's family and friends.