Country music legend George Strait recently experienced the tragic loss of two close members of his musical family in the same day.

On the same day, Strait lamented his loss of Gene Elders, a major part of his Ace in the Hole band since 1984. Strait hailed Elders as a valued “brother” in music, saying, “Me and the band won’t ever be the same without our brother Gene.”

The country music community and fans around the world have extended their deepest sympathies to Strait as he grieves these profound losses.