R.I.P.: Songwriter, Producer Busbee

Busbee

Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer Michael James Ryan — known professionally as Busbee — has died at age 43, reports The Tennessean.

The news was shared on Sunday by one of Ryan's frequent collaborators, Maren Morris, who tweeted, "This just doesn’t seem fair. I will always love you and the songs and albums I was lucky to make with you, Busbee. Rest well, my sweet friend."

Variety reports Busbee was diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, over the summer and was undergoing treatment.

Ryan produced all but one of the songs on Morris' debut, "Hero," and co-wrote the hits "My Church" and "80s Mercedes" with the country star. He also produced and/or co-wrote songs for Keith Urban, Shakira, Lady Antebellum, Pink and Garth Brooks.

His work with Morris earned Ryan three Grammy nominations in 2017. At a nominees party in Nashville that year, he shared his most valuable piece of career advice.

"Put your head down and play the long game," he told The Tennessean. "It's a very competitive world, and if you get too caught up in what other people are doing, or what opportunities certain people are getting, it's just going to drive you crazy. There's enough success for everybody."