Grammy-nominated country singer dies at 76; wrote longest-running sports theme

Grammy-nominated country singer Dave Loggins has died at the age of 76, according to multiple reports.

Loggins died Wednesday, July 10, at Alive Hospice in Nashville, according to his obituary. A cause of death was not disclosed.

The singer-songwriter was best known for his 1974 hit “Please Come to Boston,” which was also covered by artists such as Kenny Chesney, David Allan Coe, Willie Nelson and Reba McEntire. Loggins later became the only unsigned artist to win a CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year for “Nobody Loves Me Like You Do,” his 1984 duet with Anne Murray.

Loggins, a cousin of “Footloose” singer Kenny Loggins, is perhaps best known to sports fans as the writer of “Augusta,” the theme song of the Augusta Masters Golf Tournament since 1982. According to his obituary, it is the longest-used sports theme in history.

“That class was just a work of art. I looked over at some dogwoods and, man, I just started writing the song in my head, which I always do when I’m inspired. I had the first verse before I even left the class,” Dave Loggins told the Associated Press in 2019.

The Tennessee musician’s songwriting credits also include songs performed by artists such as Three Dog Night (“Pieces of April”), Toby Keith, Lee Greenwood, Johnny Cash, Wynonna Judd, Alabama, Smokey Robinson, Ray Charles and Tanya Tucker. Loggins has been nominated for four Grammys during his career and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995.

He leaves behind three sons, Quinn, Kyle and Dylan, and a grandson, Braxton.

In accordance with his wishes, there will be no funeral. Donations in his name may be made to Alive Hospice in Nashville.