Overview

Gary Ronnie Stewart (May 28, 1944 – December 16, 2003) was an American musician and songwriter, known for his distinctive vibrato voice and his outlaw country sound influenced by southern rock. At the height of his popularity in the mid-1970s, Time magazine described him as the “king of honkytonk.” He had a series of country chart hits from the mid- to late 1970s, the biggest of which was “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles)”, which topped the U.S. country singles chart in 1975. In his teens and on the road, Gary toured with a rock band called the Imps. Returning to his adopted home of Fort Pierce, Florida, he began playing at the Wagon Wheel in Okeechobee. With his huge, vibrato-laden tenor voice, Gary Stewart was quickly becoming a country music star. Stewart took his own life in December of 2003 following the death of his wife of 43 years in November.

What Is Gary Stewart’s Net Worth?

Gary Stewart, the American country singer, musician, and songwriter, had a net worth of $500 thousand at the time of his death in December 2003. This estimate primarily reflects his earnings from his music career, encompassing album sales and live performances in the honky-tonk circuit.

Sources of Gary Stewart’s Income

Stewart’s income was mainly derived from his career as a musician. His journey began in the late 1960s as a songwriter in Nashville, eventually leading to a recording contract with RCA Records. His breakthrough came in 1975 with the album “Out of Hand,” featuring the hit single “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Doubles),” which reached #1 on the US Country chart and #4 on the Canadian Country chart. Other successful albums include “Steppin’ Out” (1976) and “Your Place or Mine” (1977). Although specific figures for album sales and royalties aren’t publicly available, these hits undoubtedly contributed significantly to his income during his peak years from 1974 to 1977. Stewart also earned income through live performances, maintaining a strong presence in honky-tonks and dance halls, particularly in Texas, throughout his career. While the exact earnings from these performances are undocumented, they were a consistent source of revenue.

Career Milestones and Musical Achievements

Stewart’s career was marked by several key milestones. In 1965, Stonewall Jackson’s recording of Stewart’s song “Poor Red Georgia Dirt” made the country charts, marking an early success in his songwriting career. His signing with RCA Records was a turning point, leading to a string of hit singles and albums in the mid-1970s. His 1975 album, “Out of Hand,” is considered his signature work. He released a total of 13 studio albums, including “You’re Not the Woman You Used to Be” (1973), “Little Junior” (1978), and “Cactus and a Rose” (1980). In addition to his solo work, Stewart collaborated with Dean Dillon on two albums, “Brotherly Love” (1982) and “Those Were the Days” (1983). In 2023, 20 years after his death, Stewart was posthumously inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame. Although specific sales figures for his albums and singles are not readily available, his chart success and consistent touring contributed to his $500,000 net worth.

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