Songwriter Todd Cerney Passes
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.
Sarah Skates has been a writer and editor in the music business since 2004. She is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
Latest posts by Sarah Skates (see all)
R.I.P Todd, watch over Kip and write a hit in Heaven!
We are deeply saddened to learn of Todd Cerney’s passing this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Kip Kirby.
“I’ll Still Be Loving You” is a masterwork. God reward Todd for all the joy his music brought, and will bring, to others.
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!!!
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
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!
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.
Todd was a great guy. This is a huge loss to our music community.
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.
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.
we lost an amazing man today. We love you Todd….. We always will.
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
Our hearts and prayers go out to Kip! So hard to loose a loved one..
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”!!!
Gonna miss you, you’re spirit lives on…..God Bless…..R.I.P. Great songwriter…to say the least….
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.
I am blessed to have been touched by your amazing creativity and friendship…your memory shall resonate always! Thoughts …prayers with you Kip!
WE LOST ONE OF THE REALLY GOOD GUYS, AND A FRIEND.
OUR THOUGHTS COMFORT AND LOVE BE WITH KIP.
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.