sorry to hear this.
back in 70's and '80's I played a lot of country gigs.

I played Ruby and Detroit City. I think one should always respect the writers who have helped you make a living as an artist. I seem to remember Mel playing the Wembley Country Music Festival in the days Mervyn Conn used to promote it. There was a fleeting glimpse of him in the Clint Eastwood film Every Which Way But Loose , the one with the monkey. 'That was Mel Tilis!' one said to uncomprehending partners - then he was gone!

His name takes me back to those days of H bar C shirts and endless gigs in the north of England in Miner's Welfare Clubs.