Jimmy Nichols, a veteran Nashville keyboardist and music director, has died in his sleep at the age of 64, according to an announcement by singer David Pack. Nichols played his final show at a church service in Franklin, Tennessee, on the night before he passed, a performance Pack described as fittingly reflecting his faith. His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the country music community, where he was widely respected as both a musician and a longtime collaborator of Pack's.

Nichols began his career in the 1970s alongside his siblings in a family band, The Nichols Brothers, touring with acts including Willie Nelson and The Osmond Brothers before relocating to Nashville in the 1990s. There, he built a decades-long career playing keyboards and serving as band leader for artists such as Mindy McCready, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack and Gladys Knight. Pack, who worked with Nichols for more than 15 years and called him his "dearest friend," had recently performed at a benefit concert for Nichols' wife, Tonya, who requires a lung transplant.