Shane Yellowbird, a popular country singer whose song “Pickup Truck” was a massive hit in his native Canada, died Monday at age 42.
A cause of death has not been released for Yellowbird, who died unexpectedly, family members told CBC News.
“Our brother was a talented artist who loved his children, music and sports,” his family said in a statement.
“We are all deeply struck by the tragedy and ask for the respect and privacy of this time to mourn the loss of our loved one.”
Yellowbird, who lived in Calgary, was named the Chevy Rising Star at the Canadian Country Music Awards in 2007. He released “Pickup Truck” that year, with the song reaching the top five on the Canadian country chart.
A stuttering condition drew Yellowbird to his music career, according to CBC News, which reports that people close to the singer said he dealt with epilepsy later in his life.
“Several years ago he started to share that he wasn’t doing as many shows because he was suffering from seizures,” singer Crystal Shawanda, who was friends with Yellowbird, told the Canadian outlet.
“He made a public statement about it. He was starting to share that and be more open about it with people.”
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