Canada lost one of its most successful country songwriters of the past 50 years with the Saturday (Oct. 12) death of Dallas Harms. The 84-year-old died in hospice care following a battle with cancer.

Twenty songs written by the Jansen, Saskatchewan-born, Hamilton, Ontario-raised artist made the Canadian country music charts between 1972 and 1984, including his No. 1 single from 1983, "Honky Tonkin' (All Night Long)." However, his signature tune on both sides of the Canadian border became "Paper Rosie," which, in 1977, became a title track and hit single for Gene Watson.

Per his bio from the Ontario Country Music Association, Harms got his start in Canada after meeting and performing with American star Conway Twitty. Harms later found himself in the mentor role with fellow Canadian star Ronnie "The Hawk" Hawkins.

"He was so talented," fellow Canadian star Carroll Baker tells the Spectator. "A great writer, a really great singer, a mentor to so many people," she says, "but to me he will always be a great friend. I'm going to miss him a lot."

Per MusicRow, Harms also produced a number of Canadian country artists, including Cathy Chambers, Wayne Rostad and Lynn Dee. Additionally, he enjoyed photography and graphic design; in fact, he designed his own album covers.

Honors for Harms include a Canadian Country Hall of Fame induction in 1989 and lifetime achievement honors in 2016 from the Hamilton Music Awards. In 2018, "Paper Rosie" took its rightful spot in the Canadian Songwriting Hall of Fame.

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