Tanya Tucker is remembering the songwriter who co-wrote her breakthrough single “Delta Dawn.”
The country star shared an emotional statement following the passing of songwriter Alex Harvey, who died Saturday (April 4), according to a Facebook post from his wife, CMT.com reports. A cause of death was not revealed. He was 73.
“‘Delta Dawn’] started everything off for me and has kept me going ever since,” Tucker said in her heartfelt statement. “I thank God for him, his song, my life, my career and my fans — as I find myself grateful and thankful knowing my life would have been so different without the iconic ‘Delta Dawn’ and her creator Alex Harvey.”
An actor and singer, Harvey also wrote music for Kenny Rogers, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Ray Cyrus and others.
Tucker was just 13 years old when “Delta Dawn” was released in 1972. The song peaked at No. 6 on Hot Country Songs, giving the young singer her first top 10 single. The track also brought Tucker her first Grammy nomination the following year.
“Even though my record was released in March of 1972, the song is still just as great 48 years later!” Tucker said. “I know Alex was a man of God, and today he got his wings, to that mansion in the sky! Thank you, Alex. I’ll meet you there someday, when it’s my time to fly!”
Tucker teamed up with Brandi Carlile to perform “Delta Dawn” at the CMT Awards in 2019. Watch the performance below.
