Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney Songwriter Andrew Dorff Dies at 40

Sophie Schillaci
Updated

The country music community is mourning the loss of songwriter Andrew Dorff.

Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes and Maren Morris are among those paying tribute to Dorff following his untimely death on Monday, Dec. 19. He was 40.

The musician, who wrote for Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville, had penned hits like "Neon Light" for Shelton, "Save It for a Rainy Day" for Kenny Chesney, "Somebody's Heartbreak" for Hayes, and "Ride" for Martina McBride. He was also the brother of Blade actor Stephen Dorff and the son of songwriter Steve Dorff.

"It is with immeasurable grief that we learn of the passing of our friend Andrew Dorff," Lee Thomas Miller, president of Nashville Songwriters Association International, shared in a Facebook post on Tuesday. "Our songwriting community is small and close and this loss will hurt us all deeply. Andrew was a good man and a good friend. He was an elite songwriter at the peak of his life and career. Our sincerest prayers go out to his family. May we all hug each other a little tighter this week and remember that life is fragile. Rest in peace Andrew."

A cause of death has not yet been revealed. According to The Tennessean, a spokesperson for the Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's office said that an investigation is ongoing.

Shelton called the loss a "terrible tragedy" on Twitter, while Hayes praised Dorff as "a prolific writer with a huge heart."

There's a neon light at the end of the tunnel. ?? Rest peacefully, my friend.

A photo posted by Maren Morris (@marenmorris) on Dec 19, 2016 at 9:14pm PST

In a time of sadness I remember this video. Praying for Andrews family tonight. ?? @endorffin

A video posted by ?? R A E L Y N N ?? (@raelynnofficial) on Dec 19, 2016 at 9:54pm PST

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