Red Dirt Music Artist Brandon Jenkins Dies at 48

Brandon Jenkins, a standout singer-songwriter on the Red Dirt music scene, died Friday (Mar. 2) from complications following a a heart operation. He was 48.

The news of his passing was shared on his official Facebook page, where his family had been keeping fans updated on his condition following the Feb. 21 surgery; Jenkins was undergoing the procedure to receive a new heart valve due to a birth defect that had resulted in an enlarged heart. Unfortunately, he remained hospitalized in critical condition until his passing.

Jenkins, a native of Tulsa, Okla., first met up with like-minded artists such as Cody Canada, Stoney LaRue and Mike McClure while attending Oklahoma State University. He established himself firmly in the Red Dirt scene, and as an overall standout in alternative country. He eventually made his move to Nashville in 2016 after signing a deal with a publishing company.

Jenkins' catalog was prolific for his fairly short life, having released a total of 18 albums, the latest being Tail Lights in a Boomtown, which was released last month. He played alongside such prominent names as Willie Nelson, David Allan Coe, the Mavericks, and Kevin Welch, among others.

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