Conley was an influence on many of today's top country music artists.
(Nashville, TN) -- Legendary country singer Earl Thomas Conley is dead at the age of 77.
"Rolling Stone" confirms Conley died early Wednesday morning in Nashville after battling a dementia-like condition.
The 1980's hitmaker had a nearly unbroken streak of 18 number-one singles, including "Holding Her and Loving You," "Fire and Smoke" and "Somewhere Between Right and Wrong."
Fellow country musician Blake Shelton was the first one to break the news. He tweeted "My heart is absolutely destroyed today... I'm sad to report that Earl Thomas Conley passed away very early this morning. Earl was my all time favorite singer, hero and my friend. Prayers to his family. We will all miss you deeply my brother. Now go rest."
