Legendary country music performer George Strait is mourning two deaths on the same day, after both his manager, Erv Woolsey, and band member Gene Elders died just hours later.

“Hard to believe we lost two of our music family members on the same day,” Strait posted on “X,” the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Our Ace in the Hole treasured band member Gene Elders passed away yesterday afternoon shortly after we lost Erv. All of our prayers go out to both families. We loved him so much.”

Elders, who played fiddle for 11 years in Lyle Lovett’s Large Band, played mandolin and fiddle in Strait’s band since 1984.

Woolsey also died on Wednesday.

“My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer, Erv Woolsey, passed away this morning,” Strait posted. “He had complications from surgery and just couldn’t overcome it. He was a very tough man, and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much. We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won’t ever be the same without him.”

Woolsey moved to Nashville in 1973 to become ABC Records’ head of promotions. Per Billboard, Woolsey helped guide the careers of several top artists, but it was during his time as the owner of The Prairie Rose, a club in Texas, that he first met Strait.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.