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Songwriter Todd Cerney Passes

March 14, 2011/0 Comments/in Featured /by Sarah Skates

Todd Cerney in his home recording studio.


Songwriter Todd Cerney passed away this morning, March 14, after a battle with cancer. The musician, known for hits including “I’ll Still Be Loving You” recorded by Restless Heart, and “Good Morning Beautiful” recorded by Steve Holy, was a much loved member of Nashville’s music community.
Cerney was a Grammy-nominated songwriter, and past winner of ASCAP’s Country Song of the Year Award. Among his writing credits is “No Mercy” by Ty Herndon, as well as cuts by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Etta James, Cheap Trick, The Four Tops / Aretha Franklin, Levon Helm, Jason And The Scorchers, John Anderson, The Whites and many more.
He was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma last year. Cerney is survived by wife Kip Kirby.
Cerney made a mark on the Nashville music community, as evidenced by the turnout of performers and attendees at a recent concert to help with his medical expenses. The Feb. 28 event staged at the Red Rooster Bar & Music Hall featured Restless Heart, Steve Holy, Bo Bice, Rivers Rutherford, Fred Knobloch, Buzz Cason, Mac Gayden, Peter Noone (Herman’s Hermits) and a 25-year reunion of Nashville cult favorite The Piggys.
A bank account to help with medical costs has been set up at Regions Bank’s Music Row branch. Donations can be made at any Regions branch or can be mailed to: Friends of Todd Cerney Account, Regions Bank, 1600 Division St., Nashville, TN 37203 or call 615-748-2792. Messages can be posted at www.caringbridge.org/visit/toddcerney.
Photos below of Todd Cerney at the No. 1 party for “I’ll Still Be Loving You,” and receiving the ASCAP Song of the Year Award. Photos: Alan Mayor

Todd Cerney and wife Kip Kirby on the night he won ASCAP Song of the Year for "I'll Still Be Loving You."


Pictured in 1987: Cerney, front row second from left, at the No. 1 party for "I'll Still Be Loving You," recorded by Restless Heart and co-written by Cerney, Mary Ann Kennedy, Pam Rose, and Pat Bunch.


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Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has worked in the music business for more than a decade and is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
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https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Sarah Skates https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Sarah Skates2011-03-14 11:21:582011-03-14 11:21:58Songwriter Todd Cerney Passes
0 replies
  1. Garth Shaw
    Garth Shaw says:
    March 14, 2011 at 11:45 am

    R.I.P Todd, watch over Kip and write a hit in Heaven!

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  2. Loudilla Johnson
    Loudilla Johnson says:
    March 14, 2011 at 12:07 pm

    We are deeply saddened to learn of Todd Cerney’s passing this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kip Kirby.

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  3. Terrye Newkirk
    Terrye Newkirk says:
    March 14, 2011 at 2:05 pm

    “I’ll Still Be Loving You” is a masterwork. God reward Todd for all the joy his music brought, and will bring, to others.

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  4. Eileen Littlefield
    Eileen Littlefield says:
    March 14, 2011 at 2:39 pm

    Todd and Kip were some of my first frends when I moved here in 1993. Kip introduced me To Merlin. I will miss you Todd, you were a sweet, gentle soul. Love you!!!

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  5. Marc-Alan Barnette
    Marc-Alan Barnette says:
    March 14, 2011 at 4:02 pm

    Todd was one of those amazing people as well as writers. He was a great friend to everyone, and shall be dearly missed. A song we wrote together, “Have a Little Faith” was a great sentiment that I will always remember him by. Miss him and all the prayers and thoughts to Kip.
    Marc-Alan Barnette

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  6. Lesley Hamer
    Lesley Hamer says:
    March 14, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    We’ll miss you Todd! Your talent brought so much happiness to the world, so your life really mattered. What a great legacy you’ve left. It was a joy and privilege to know you. Heaven’s jam band is complete with the addition of the RokDok!

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  7. Kathy Strom
    Kathy Strom says:
    March 14, 2011 at 4:18 pm

    RIP, Todd. You have touched many hearts, and the legacy of your wonderful songs will continue to live on. My heart-felt thoughts and prayers go out to Kip and the entire Cerney family family and friends.

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  8. Byron Hill
    Byron Hill says:
    March 14, 2011 at 4:40 pm

    Todd was a great guy. This is a huge loss to our music community.

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  9. Mitch Malloy
    Mitch Malloy says:
    March 14, 2011 at 5:11 pm

    Todd was such a nice man. I wrote with him many times. And it was always a great time with great music. This is SO SAD. And I feel so lucky to have known him.

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  10. Jan Rhees
    Jan Rhees says:
    March 14, 2011 at 5:18 pm

    How do you express what’s in your heart for someone as dear and gentle as Todd Cerney. It was what you felt just being around Todd.. peaceful, content, happy, creative, inspired. He was rock solid, always kind, a blast to be around, so gracious, patient and gifted. Kip, I am sending you love that cannot be put into words. What you two created together will live forever through those of us fortunate enough to have been around you. We learned about love from you and Todd. Grateful for having known this beautiful soul.

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  11. liz hengber
    liz hengber says:
    March 14, 2011 at 6:08 pm

    we lost an amazing man today. We love you Todd….. We always will.

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  12. Jim Della Croce
    Jim Della Croce says:
    March 14, 2011 at 7:12 pm

    Thank you David and Sara for remembering Todd in such a nice way. Todd is proof that the good die young. He was a good friend and one of Music Row’s good guys. He won’t be replaced. Jim

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  13. Nature's Select Pet Food
    Nature's Select Pet Food says:
    March 14, 2011 at 8:46 pm

    Our hearts and prayers go out to Kip! So hard to loose a loved one..

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  14. Wood Newton
    Wood Newton says:
    March 14, 2011 at 9:28 pm

    It has been a joy to have been one of Todd’s many friends, we spent a lot of quality time together going to gigs here, and in Norway especially. He was a big spirit, such a kind, fun, funny, smart, and great musical talent, as well as a songwriter. The outpouring of support is a small testimony to the impact he had on so many lives. I imagine him performing “Good Morning Beautiful” with the heavenly band this very morning, while we here are singing “The blues Is My Business, And Business Is Good”!!! Rock on “RocDoc”!!!

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  15. Jimmy Collins
    Jimmy Collins says:
    March 14, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    Gonna miss you, you’re spirit lives on…..God Bless…..R.I.P. Great songwriter…to say the least….

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  16. Bob DiPiero
    Bob DiPiero says:
    March 14, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    Todd lives on
    His music. The people he touched and influenced. His big panoramic spirit. His deep soul connection with the love of his life Kip. All of that does not stop living. Todd lives on.
    I count myself grateful to have known and to have written some cool tunes with my brother rocker.
    Rocker.

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  17. Dave Goodwin
    Dave Goodwin says:
    March 15, 2011 at 11:08 am

    I am blessed to have been touched by your amazing creativity and friendship…your memory shall resonate always! Thoughts …prayers with you Kip!

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  18. Brien Fisher
    Brien Fisher says:
    March 15, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    WE LOST ONE OF THE REALLY GOOD GUYS, AND A FRIEND.
    OUR THOUGHTS COMFORT AND LOVE BE WITH KIP.

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  19. Anne Sikes
    Anne Sikes says:
    March 24, 2011 at 2:21 pm

    So very sorry to find out that Todd passed away. I met him several years back when he and Casey Kelly used to visit a songwriter’s group I was in, which met at Characters Songwriters Cafe in Perdido Key. I remember him not only as very talented, but as very kind and genuine. My deep and sincere sympathy goes to his family and many friends.

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