mindy mccready

Some of these songs bring the artist's career full-circle, while others tell a haunting story of a life cut short.

Country music and drinking have always had an uncomfortably close relationship.

It's more tragic when it's unexpected, as is the case with these country singers who died before their time.

You know "Carlene" and "Just Another Day in Paradise," but did you know Phil Vassar also wrote these country hits for other artists?

Rest in peace.

The country talent would have turned 47 today.

It's more tragic when it's unexpected, as is the case with these country singers who died before their time.

They have known the pain they sing about.

Life can be very hard. Just because you are famous and seem to have it all doesn't mean that you do. Many find what they need in material things but end up empty in the heart and emotionally. Unfortunately it is not something we can see from the outside and sometimes it ends up in tragedy.

The Mindy McCready story is one of the more tragic in the history of country music. There have been many tragic stories but the story of a young lady who was blowing up the charts and was about to become a multi-media superstar then had it all slip away and ultimately takes her own life is as sad as it gets.

The story of Mindy McCready is so sad. This was a girl who was so talented and yet was so troubled. She was on top of the world for a flash in time and then her bright light was put out way too young and way too tragically.

Country star Mindy McCready was laid to rest during a service in her hometown of Fort Myers, Fla. on Tuesday (Feb. 26), nine days after the troubled singer took her own life with a single gunshot wound to the head.