Gospel Singer Troy Sneed Passed Away from Coronavirus Complications

Troy Sneed, Grammy-nominated Gospel singer, passed away early Monday morning, April 27, due to coronavirus complications, according to a news release. He was 52.

Bill Carpenter, Sneed's publicist, has announced that the singer died at a Jacksonville, FL hospital.

Born Troy Lenard Sneed, the gospel musician studied education with a minor in music at the state's A&M University, participating in the school chorale. Soon after his graduation, he joined the Georgia Mass Choir through an invitation from Savoy Records head Rev. Milton Biggham.

As the Assistant Minister of Music, he sang the gospel, arranged music on the choir's albums, and went with them on tours across the country. He appeared together with the Georgia Mass Choir in the 1996 comedy-drama "The Preacher's Wife," which starred Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.

Sneed helped to establish "Youth for Christ," a youth-oriented group within the Georgia Mass Choir made up of members aged 12 to 18. The group's 1999 album, "Higher," got Sneed nominated for a Grammy in the following year. He also helped produce YFC's 2006 album "The Struggle Is Over," which topped the Billboard gospel songs chart.

His solo career as a musician started with his debut album "Call Jesus" in 1999, followed by "Bless That Wonderful Name" in 2001. He would break through the Billboard gospel albums chart with his third album "A State of Worship" under his label released in 2005. It was followed by successful gospel albums "In His Presence" (2006), "In Due Season" (2009), "My Heart Says Yes" (2011), and "All Is Well" (2012).

As a gospel star, Sneed was a regular on the Hot Gospel Songs chart, with the top ten hits such as "Work It Out," "My Heat Says Yes," and "Kept By His Games."

Soon after the news of Sneed's passing, music and video distribution company GoDigiPath released a statement expressing condolences. "With great regret, we at GoDigiPath, LLC, are stunned, deeply, and extremely saddened as we have lost a beloved colleague and dear friend." The GoDigiPath statement also asked for prayers for his wife, Emily Ianson-Sneed, as well as the family left by the gospel artist. "He is missed, beyond words, as our hearts are broken well beyond all understanding."

Pastor, author, and musician Brian Carn extended his grief over Sneed's passing. Carn wrote on Instagram how "a mixer is to a microphone, and a microphone is to a voice, Troy Sneed was to my music career and so many others," crediting Sneed as the "mastermind, producer, and ink pen" behind several gospel songs.

Fellow gospel star Jonathan Nelson said thanks to Sneed for giving him a chance, sharing how the YFC single "The Struggle is Over" gave him a space in the music business. Sneed was a mentor to Nelson, who appreciated his "great insight and [assistance] as he was building his platform."

Troy Sneed is the latest musician the world has lost due to coronavirus. He follows other music icons such as "Lean on Me" artist Bill Withers, "That Thing You Do!" songwriter Adam Schlesinger, 80's bassist Matthew Seligman, and world music pioneer and "Soul Makossa" singer Manu Dibango.