In the midst of Joe's health battle, he and his wife continued to work on music, producing new recordings with the help of AI, until his death.
Joe Ely, the legendary Country singer-songwriter and guitarist, died at his home in Taos, New Mexico, on Monday, December 15, 2025, at the age of 78. His family announced that the cause of death was complications from incurable physical ailments. Born in Amarillo and raised in Lubbock, Joe Ely was a central figure in the 1970s and '80s Austin music scene, blending country, rock, and Americana sounds and helping to create the modern Americana genre. His contribution to the field is unmatched, and he continued to produce music with his wife even while battling illness in his later life. As he bid adieu to the world, here's a look at his wife, Sharon Ely, and how they created melodies using AI.
Sharon Thompson Ely is the wife of the late legendary Texas singer-songwriter, Joe Ely. Joe and Sharon married in 1983 and shared a deep, supportive partnership that lasted over four decades, until his death on December 15, 2025. Sharon was not only his wife but also his manager and a crucial partner in navigating his later life and career, especially after his diagnosis with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease. In recent years, she has been the primary communicator with fans and friends about his health challenges. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on April 17, 2023.
Joe and Sharon Ely settled in Austin, Texas, in the early 1980s, and later lived in Taos, New Mexico. They had one daughter, Maria Elena Ely, named after American singer-songwriter, Buddy Holly's widow. The Ely family's publicly shared photos showed a close-knit bond among them. Friends and family often commented on Sharon's strength and love, describing her as the perfect partner for the legendary musician. Here's how the couple made use of the latest technology to keep Joe's music venture ongoing even amid his struggles with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease.
After Joe Ely was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson's disease, his wife, Sharon, found a collection of old tapes containing intimate recordings of his voice, guitar, and harmonica from about a decade prior. The traditional recording sessions were physically demanding and costly, making a conventional album impossible. Instead, the Radar Initiative, founded by Grammy-winning producer, Lee Miles Buchanan, used new AI technology to carefully restore the original tapes. The AI-generated orchestral arrangements of Joe's existing tracks brought the Country star's vision of symphonic recordings to life.
The use of AI acted as a bridge between human artistry and technology, allowing Joe Ely's music to be completed when it otherwise couldn't have been. When Joe first heard the AI-enhanced version of Buddy Holly's classic, Raining in My Heart, Sharon noted that his face "lit up." According to her, "It was like hearing the songs reborn, exactly as he had always imagined them." It was then that she decided to do the same for Joe's songs. His new AI-enhanced recordings, including Raining in My Heart and One Day at a Time have been released to the public. Thus, Sharon and Joe shared their journey to raise awareness regarding dementia and Parkinson's disease through the healing power of music.
Texas singer-songwriter, Joe Ely died from complications related to Lewy body dementia, Parkinson's disease, and pneumonia. He passed away at his home in Taos, New Mexico, on December 15, 2025, at the age of 78, with his family by his side. Joe's family has openly shared his health journey since a public announcement in September 2025, aiming to raise understanding and awareness of the conditions through the healing power of music.
What are your thoughts on Joe Ely and his wife, Sharon Ely's use of AI to enhance his songs and release them amid his battle with incurable diseases? Let us know.
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