'The Grand Ole Opry family is truly saddened by the news of Jim Ed's passing," Pete Fisher, Vice President, General Manager Grand Ole Opry said in a press statement. 'While we will miss his kind heart and gentle nature, we will remember and celebrate one of music's smoothest and most beloved voices ever."

Brown made his last appearance at the Opry on April 11, 2015 performing 'In Style Again" and 'The Three Bells," just a month after he and his former band the Browns were elected as the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.