Beloved Writer Abe Stoklasa Passes
Abe Stoklasa. Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Music Group
Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Abe Stoklasa passed away on Friday (Nov. 17) of undetermined causes. He was 38.
Stoklasa is the tunesmith behind hit songs such as Chris Lane’s No. 1 “Fix,” Michael Ray’s top 10 hit “Get To You,” Ben Rector’s Platinum hit “Brand New,” Lady A’s “Ocean” and the Grammy-nominated song “The Driver” from Charles Kelly’s solo album as well as Kelly’s beloved “Leaving Nashville.” Stoklasa has also had songs recorded by Lady A, Blake Shelton, Billy Currington, Tim McGraw, Charlie Worsham and many more.
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A native of Princeton, Missouri, Stoklasa grew up playing and singing in local bands from the age of six. When he was 14, he and his family moved to Tennessee, and by the time he graduated high school, he knew he wanted to pursue music as his career.
Stoklasa got his undergraduate degree at Belmont University. After a short stint in grad school studying jazz at the Frost School of Music at UMiami, he changed course to be a touring pedal steel and sax player, going out on the road with David Nail and Billy Currington.
He eventually decided to leave the road and write songs full time in 2013 at the age of 26. By 2014, Stoklasa had landed his first cuts with McGraw, Shelton and Lady A.
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Since his passing, many co-writers, artists and members of the music community have poured out tributes to Stoklasa, with many noting how talented, intelligent, authentic and hilarious he was.
Memorial arrangements for Stoklasa have not yet been announced.
