Country music star Jim McBride has died ‘unexpectedly’ aged 78 following a reported fall.

The popular songwriter, best known for writing the hits Chattahoochee and Chasing that Neon Rainbow for Alan Jackson, died on January 6.

McBride’s songs were recorded by country music legends including Johnny Cash, George Jones and Reba McEntire.

He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1995, and served as president of Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Singer songwriter Jerry Salley broke the news of McBride’s death in a post shared on Facebook, in which he claimed that the late star was his ‘close friend’ and a ‘lifelong brother.’

‘We met at my very first publishing company back in the early 1980s,’ he penned.

‘He was already a big hit songwriter, having had hits with Conway Twitty, Johnny Lee and others.

‘I’ll never know why he took a chance to write with me, but man, we hit it off, became instant friends, and loved being in the writing room together.

Country music star Jim McBride has died aged 78
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Country music star Jim McBride has died aged 78

The acclaimed songwriter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017
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The acclaimed songwriter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2017

‘He always brought out the very best in me.’

Salley revealed that McBride had texted him just hours before his fall two days ago.

Concluding his emotional tribute, he added: ‘You were a great songwriter. You were a great man. And, you were an even greater friend.

‘What hurts the most is that I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.’

‘My best friend. We talked or texted every few days right up until the end.’

Others have also been sharing heartfelt messages of condolences following reports of McBride’s death.

‘Jim was a beloved Alabamian, songwriter, friend, mentor, and so much more,’ the Alabama Music Hall of Fame said in a statement.

In a tribute shared on Facebook, he added: ‘You were a great songwriter. You were a great man. And you were an even greater friend.’

Johnny Cash, George Jones and Reba McEntire were just some of the stars who recorded McBride's songs
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Johnny Cash, George Jones and Reba McEntire were just some of the stars who recorded McBride’s songs

Tributes for the late songwriter have been flooding in on social media
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Tributes for the late songwriter have been flooding in on social media

Jerry Salley described McBride as his 'brother' and a 'close friend' in his tribute
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Jerry Salley described McBride as his ‘brother’ and a ‘close friend’ in his tribute

McBride was born in Huntsville, Alabama and pursued a career in music at an early age.

According to reports, he started bringing his songs to Nashville in the early 1970s.

His first song to hit the country charts was Leon Everette’s We Let Love Fade Away in 1979.

I’m Gettin’ Into Your Love charted for Ruby Falls six months later.