DALLAS — Longtime Texas country singer-songwriter Tommy Alverson died Thursday at 74, his family and friends announced.
Alverson, who lived in Mineral Wells, had been battling cancer in recent months.
"I’m going to need a little while, but I’ll be posting soon," his wife, Amy Alverson, posted on Facebook on Thursday. "… until then just know that; just like the lucky ol sun, he’s got nothing to do but roll around Heaven all day."
Alverson was a staple in the Texas music scene for decades. On Oct. 27, Alverson's supporters held one of his famed "Gathering" concerts in support of his cancer battle, selling more than 1,000 tickets to an event at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth.
Alverson released a trove of albums in the last 25 years. His biggest hit was the 1999 release "Una Mas Cerveza," which became a regular cover on the Texas country circuit. As Saving Country Music noted, the success of "Una Mas Cerveza" allowed Alverson, a longtime employee at Miller Brewing, to become a full-time country singer.
But Alverson's impact was more than any music he recorded. He was perhaps best known for his promotion of other artists and his Family Gathering events, featuring bands and artists from across the Texas and Oklahoma Red Dirt country scene.
Cody Canada, one of the giants of the Texas Country and Red Dirt as the lead singer of Cross Canadian Ragweed, paid tribute to Alverson on social media Saturday. Canada recounted the times they spent together at the Larry Joe Taylor Fest in Stephenville, alongside Alverson's wife, Amy, and son, Willie.
"A lot of dads in Texas wouldn’t let their boys paint their fingernails like an outspoken long-haired pot-smokin' musician from Oklahoma," Canada said, "but Tommy did. Because it made Willie happy."
Canada shared a picture of him and Alverson playing music together this past summer.
"What a surprise to see him that day," Canada said. "We played Hag together. I didn’t know this would be our last time together. I’m glad we played Hag as our last tune. With all the hate and division in this world, we seem to forget the little nuggets. This pic is a nugget of happiness for my family and I. There’s a Texas-sized hole in this music scene right now. You’ll be missed, homeboy."
Shayne Hollinger, the longtime DJ at 95.9 The Ranch in Fort Worth, called Alverson "an incredible force in this music scene and always a champion for the artist."
"His Family Gathering events were always incredible and so much fun," Hollinger posted. "He will be missed, but will also be remembered forever for all the good he did for the Texas music scene."
Hollinger said he plans to dedicate Sunday night's The Ranch Vault show to playing Alverson's music, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Two hours isn't really enough, but it's a way for me to remember a guy who always had a smile and a story to tell," Hollinger posted.
Services for Alverson have not been announced.
