Chronicle: Townsquare/Tyler, TX OM & Country KNUE PD John Roberts has passed away from Stage 4 esophageal cancer that eventually spread to his lungs and liver. He was diagnosed last summer. Roberts was named to his most recent post in 2016 (CAT 10/18/16) and was a veteran programmer with stops including Milwaukee, Memphis, Denver, Tulsa, New Orleans, Dallas and Austin. "John was a true pro, one of the best our business has ever seen," says Townsquare SVPP Kurt Johnson. "But more importantly, he was a great friend to everyone, and he made a huge impact in his family, his staff, his community, and basically with everyone he met. John's laughter was contagious, his drive for good was tenacious and his spirit was indomitable. If you knew John, you are better for it. The world has lost a great light. All of us at Townsquare will miss him dearly." Arrangements are pending.

Singer/songwriter Alex Harvey passed away April 4 at age 73. The Dyersburg, TN native enjoyed a five-decade career that included penning a multitude of hits for other artists in addition to recording a dozen albums of his own. Harvey may be most known for writing "Reuben James," recorded by Kenny Rogers, and "Delta Dawn," a song Harvey recorded in 1971 before Tanya Tucker made it her first hit the following year. "The song started everything off for me," says Tucker. "I thank God for him [and] his song...my life would have been so different without the iconic 'Delta Dawn' and her creator, Alex Harvey." His songs were also cut by Alan Jackson, Dusty Springfield, Loretta Lynn, Bette Midler, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Jimmy Buffett, T. Graham Brown, Willie Nelson, Billy Ray Cyrus and more. Harvey also acted in many film and television roles including on Dallas; The Dukes Of Hazzard; Walker, Texas Ranger; The Blue And The Gray; The Dollmaker; and Parent Trap II. In 2015, Harvey released a book and album both entitled Texas 101, and he hosted syndicated radio and television series in Texas. Services are pending.