Country singer Melba Montgomery has died at the age of 86.
The songbird was best known for joining artists such as Charlie Louvin, Gene Pitney and George Jones in iconic duets.
And the Alabama resident also wrote songs for well-known singers such as Sara Evans, Patty Loveless, Travis Tritt and Terri Clark. In 2000, George Strait hit number four with What Do You Say to That, which she wrote.
His death was confirmed by his daughter, Melissa Solomon Barrett, in a Facebook post on January 15.
“It is with great sadness that we announce that our family has lost our mother, Melba Montgomery Solomon,” Melissa began.
“She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister to my uncle, sister-in-law to my aunts and aunt to my cousins.”
Country singer Melba Montgomery has died at the age of 86. The singer was best known for joining artists such as Charlie Louvin, Gene Pitney and George Jones in duets.

And the Alabama resident also wrote songs for singers like Sara Evans, Patty Loveless, Travis Tritt and Terri Clark.
Solomon Barrett noted that his late mother “fought a long battle with dementia, but is now with her beloved husband, Jack Solomon, in heaven.”
Montgomery was married to Jack Solomon from 1968 until his death in 2014.
“We know mom has been waiting to hug dad for over 10 years,” he continued.
‘We will offer visitation and funeral arrangements as we know more in the coming days. Thank you for loving our mom as much as we do. She was an incredibly talented, kind and generous woman.’
The note was signed by Solomon Barrett; Montgomery’s daughters, Tara Solomon Capps, Jackie Solomon Chancey; and his niece Diane Holt.
The New York Times was the first to report the news.
Montgomery was raised primarily in Alabama.
He got his star singing in church before forming a trio with his two brothers.
The tour won a Nashville talent show, and she was subsequently hired by artist Roy Acuff to tour with his band.
Montgomery recorded a few singles for a small label, but didn’t get much traction.

In 2000, George Strait hit number four with What Do You Say to That, which she wrote. His death was confirmed by his daughter, Melissa Solomon Barrett, in a Facebook post made on January 15; seen in 1970

“It is with great sadness that we announce that our family has lost our mother, Melba Montgomery Solomon,” Melissa began; seen in the 1970s

‘She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister of my uncle, sister-in-law of my aunts and aunt of my cousins,’ it was added.

Melba with Gene Pitney in a recording studio in the 1960s
In 1963 his luck changed when George Jones stumbled upon some of his songs, prompting him to bring Montgomery to his record label, United Artists.
It turned out they had a magic combination.
Together they recorded 1963’s We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds, which reached number three on the charts.
Then came Let’s Invite Them Over and 1963’s What’s in Our Heart.
In 1972 they had a hit with the song Party Pickin.
When he worked with Charlie Louvin, they created the hit songs Something to Brag About and Did You Ever.
Then when he worked with Gene Pitney, they had success with Being Together.

Melba with Charlie Louvin singing Something to Brag About at the Country Family Reunion in 2010
As a solo artist, his hit song was the 1974 song No Charge; Other notable mentions are Don’t Let the Good Times Fool You and Morning Angel.
Montgomery married Jack Solomon in 1968 and they were together until he died in 2014 at the age of 71.
She is survived by her brother Earl and daughters Jackie Solomon Chancey, Tara Solomon Capps, Diana Lynn Cirigliano and Melissa Solomon Barrett; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren, according to The New York Times.