Walt Aldridge, a prominent country music songwriter from Alabama, passed away on November 19, 2025, at the age of 70 following a prolonged illness. Throughout his extensive career, he wrote or co-wrote 56 songs that reached Billboard’s Country Music Charts.
Born James Walton Aldridge Jr. on November 12, 1955, Aldridge was raised in the Muscle Shoals area of Alabama. He began his career at the well-known Fame Recording Studios, working with legendary producer Rick Hall. He established himself as a skilled songwriter, musician, engineer, and record producer.
Aldridge authored several major hits, including three No. 1 songs: “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me” by Ronnie Milsap in 1981, “Holding Her and Loving You” by Earl Thomas Conley in 1983, and “I Loved Her First” by Heartland in 2006. His compositions were also recorded by notable artists such as Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Conway Twitty, and Lou Reed.
Fame Recording Studios & Publishing Co. released a statement mourning his death. “We are deeply saddened to say that our dear friend and colleague Walt Aldridge has passed away,” it read. The studio acknowledged Aldridge’s role in sustaining the Muscle Shoals music industry during challenging times. “There was a time in the 80s when Walt’s songwriting, along with Robert Byrne, Tommy Brasfield, and Mac McAnally, carried most of the weight of the Muscle Shoals music industry through a difficult time in our history,” the statement continued.
Aldridge dedicated 17 years to Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, where he worked as a staff songwriter, musician, and engineer. During his tenure, he contributed to the production of approximately 200 albums. His engineering work included collaborations with Billy Ray Cyrus, Peter Cetera, Lacy J. Dalton, Darryl Worley, Jerry Reed, and others.
In the late 1980s, Aldridge served as the lead singer and guitarist for The Shooters, a country rock band signed to Epic Records. The band charted seven singles and was recognized as one of Billboard’s Top 10 New Country Artists of the Year in 1987.
Aldridge’s career garnered him significant accolades. His song “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me” was named ASCAP’s most performed country song in 1982. Billboard magazine identified him as one of the Top Ten Country Songwriters of the Year in both 1989 and 1991. He achieved over 20 gold and platinum certifications, seven number one record acknowledgments, and more than 30 performance awards from ASCAP.
His compositions appeared on albums that sold over 60 million copies and were recorded by more than 80 major-label artists. In 2017, Aldridge was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, followed by the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Aldridge spent about ten years teaching as a professor in the Entertainment Industry Department at the University of North Alabama. He had previously attended the university and completed an internship at Fame Studios as part of the music business program.
According to his obituary, “He was a loving son, an amazing husband, a devoted brother, a kind father, and a faithful friend.” The obituary also mentioned that his faith provided strength during his illness.
Outside his musical career, Aldridge enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, and woodworking. His preferred pastime was gardening, which he found connected him to his father. He valued spending time with his family above all else.
Aldridge was preceded in death by his parents, James and Peggy Aldridge, and his brother-in-law, Toby Faucett. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his daughters, Rachael Stolt and Hannah Aldridge; his stepchildren, Stephen Kirk, Justin Kirk, Kelly Allen, and Christian Kirk; nine grandchildren; and his sister, Ramona Faucett.
