Randy Parton, little brother of renowned county singer Dolly Parton, lost his battle with cancer on Thursday.
Dolly Parton posted about her family's loss on social media, saying they are a family of faith and believe he is in a better place.
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Randy, she writes, was also a talented singer, writer and entertainer. He headed his own show in Dollywood.
Randy Parton's name is well-known in the Roanoke Rapids area of North Carolina, where a city-owned theater bore his name for years: The Randy Parton Theater.
Dolly joined her brother outside the theater in 2005 for the groundbreaking ceremony.
The city borrowed over $21 million to build the theater, while Randy Parton was set to manage the theater and give performances, receiving a salary of $1.5 million each year.
Today, the old Randy Parton Theater is called the Roanoke Rapids Theatre. It has faced financial struggle lately, especially due to economic strain during the pandemic.
Randy Parton sang and played guitar and bass in Dolly Parton's band for many years. He, Dolly, and his daughter Heidi sang together in the song "You Are My Christmas."
Dolly said his music will continue to shine on.
"We will always love him and he will always be in our hearts," she wrote.