One year ago, on Sept. 29, 2019, the music industry lost one of its most talented songwriters and producers.
Michael James Ryan Busbee -- who went by just his last name professionally -- died from glioblastoma, a rare form of brain cancer, after being diagnosed with the deadly disease earlier in the year, Variety reported.
MORE: busbee, songwriter behind country and pop hits, dead at 43Having written and produced hit songs and records for the likes of Maren Morris, Keith Urban and Carly Pearce, the Grammy nominee was beloved across the genres for his talent and, more importantly, his friendship. With Pearce, Busbee co-wrote eight songs from her debut album, "Every Little Thing," as well as produced the 2017 record. He co-wrote one song on Pearce's self-titled sophomore album, released this February, and produced that record, too.
Now, on the one-year anniversary of his death, Pearce is opening up about how she remembers Busbee and keeps his memory alive:
Busbee was so much more than a creative collaborator to me. He was a mentor, my friend and a part of my family.
He took who I am as an artist and gave it wings, and for that I am forever grateful.
His ability to get inside the head of an artist and bring out what was best and unique about them was like nothing I've ever seen.
He was the king of multitasking. I've never seen someone be able to be working on a track, looking at real estate, sending a voice text, yet hear the one tiny "flat" part of a phrase I sang. He truly was a genius.
I now feel I carry a piece of him with me every night when I step on a stage and see the fans singing along to the songs we created.
I will forever feel a hole in my heart for him, but am so grateful that he got to be such a pivotal part of my story.
As I enter into this new phase of my life and musical journey, I will take what I learned from him with me and will always remember how he encouraged me to "fly."
May his laugh, heart as big as the moon and unbelievable passion and knowledge of his musical craft carry on forever.