Remembering a legendary singer and songwriter. Recently, it was announced that country/folk singer and songwriter Todd Snider was admitted to the hospital for a previously undiagnosed case of walking pneumonia. The news came after a tumultuous weekend in Salt Lake City where Todd was allegedly assaulted near his hotel, treated at a local hospital, and then arrested after he was begging to be admitted into another local hospital. From the way the announcement from Todd Snider’s friends and family sounded, it seemed like this was a much more serious case: “Hello friends, family, and members of the Shithouse Choir. We have some difficult news to share. After Todd returned home to recover last week, he began having trouble breathing and was admitted to the hospital in Hendersonville, TN. We learned from his doctors that he had been quietly suffering from an undiagnosed case of walking pneumonia. Our beloved brother’s condition has become more complicated, and he’s since been transferred for additional treatment. His care team and those closest to him are by his side and doing everything they can. Right now we’re asking everyone who loves Todd to hold him in your thoughts in whatever way feels right to you. Say a prayer, light a candle, roll one up, send strength, or just keep him close in your heart. You’ve carried him through so much over the years, and he needs that from all of us now more than ever. We’ll share more when there is more to tell. Thank you for surrounding him with so much love, support, and compassion.” View this post on Instagram And unfortunately, on November 15, it was announced that Snider had passed away. He was 59 years old: “Aimless, Inc. Headquarters is heartbroken to share that our Founder, our Folk Hero, our Poet of the World, our Vice President of the Abrupt Change Dept., the Storyteller, our beloved Todd Daniel Snider has departed this world. Where do we find the words for the one who always had the right words, who knew how to distill everything down to its essence with words and song while delivering the most devastating, hilarious, and impactful turn of phrases? Always creating rhyme and meter that immediately felt like an old friend or a favorite blanket. Someone who could almost always find the humor in this crazy ride on Planet Earth. He relayed so much tenderness and sensitivity through his songs, and showed many of us how to look at the world through a different lens. He got up every morning and started writing, always working towards finding his place among the songwriting giants that sat on his record shelves, those same giants who let him into their lives and took him under their wings, who he studied relentlessly. Guy Clark, John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Jeff Walker. How do we move forward without the one who gave us countless 90 minute distractions from our impending doom? The one who always had 18 minutes to share a story. We’ll do it by carrying his stories and songs that contain messages of love, compassion, and peace with us. Today, put on one of your favorite Todd Snider records and “play it loud enough to wake up all of your neighbors or at least loud enough to always wake yourself up.” We love you Todd, sail on old friend, we’ll see you again out there on the road somewhere down the line. You will always be a force of nature.” Since his death, some country and Americana artists, like Jason Isbell and Fiona Prine (widow of John Prine), have shared their condolences and kind words about his legacy, and Cody Canada, the Cross Canadian Ragweed frontman, took a moment during Texas’ Troubadour Festival last night, November 15, to share his thoughts on his late friend. “If I could have a moment of your time, they’re going to tell me to get off the stage, but I’ve been on stage for 32 years, and I’ve known that guy for 15 years, so if anyone’s mad, f***ing bill me. Yesterday, at almost 4:20, that f***er almost made it to 4:20… I lost my hero yesterday. And uh…” Canada pauses, swallowing hard as it’s evident he’s holding back tears. “I know you love him. I just want you to do one thing today, before you do anything, before you go to bed is listen to one song by Todd Snider. And then listen to two songs by Todd Snider, and realize that you f****** missed out on the last 35 years of your life, if you didn’t know him. Listen to that and listen to the truth that he speaks to people because nowadays people are f****** afraid to talk about their g**damn feelings in music. All they want to talk about is beer and Jesus. All they want to do is sell a f****** record. But once upon a time, what people wanted to do was to touch a f****** heart and touch a soul. And that’s what Todd Snider did up until yesterday at 4:13 PM.” Canada then dives right into an emotional cover of Snider’s “I Can’t Complain,” choking up those in the crowd, and those of us watching the moment from home. The song was a perfect choice to cover as the narrator grapples with all of life’s problems. While he feels like he isn’t fitting in and isn’t on the path he wished for himself, instead of being filled with sorrow and bitterness, her puts a humorous spin on his outlook and realizes he has nothing to complain about. Even in some of the darkest moments, the narrator finds a way to be positive. “I got nothin’ to lose, nothin’ to gain It’s like a one-way ticket to cruisin’ the passin’ lane I can’t complain” Just like many of Todd Snider’s colleagues are grappling with his death, they are finding a way to highlight his career and legacy, finding light and positivity in the dark. What a way to honor his friend and hero, and what a way to close out his set at Troubadour Festival. Rest in peace, Todd Snider. @txmusiclive Cody Canada delivers an emotional, heartfelt tribute to Todd Snider—truly a moving moment. #RIP #toddsnider #tribute #livemusic #concert @Troubadour Festival ♬ original sound – TexasMusicLive While you’re here, also fire up Snider’s version of “Can’t Complain.” The post “I Lost My Hero Yesterday” – Cody Canada Delivers Emotional Tribute To Todd Snider At Troubadour Festival first appeared on Whiskey Riff.