Introduction:
Travis Tritt Mourns the Loss of His Longtime Friend and Tour Manager, Scott Minkley
Country music icon Travis Tritt is grieving a devastating loss. His best friend and longtime tour manager, Scott Minkley, has passed away following a courageous battle with cancer. Tritt shared the heartbreaking news with fans, describing the loss as “tremendous.”
For nearly two decades, Minkley stood as the steady force behind Tritt’s touring success — ensuring every concert, soundcheck, and performance ran smoothly. As both tour manager and sound engineer, Scott was the man who made sure every note hit just right, every crowd was heard, and every show went off without a hitch.
In a deeply emotional tribute posted to social media, Travis wrote that Scott was “one in a million” and that he would never find another like him. “He wasn’t just a coworker or part of the crew — he was family,” Tritt shared. The loss, he added, would be felt on every stage he steps onto moving forward.
Fans quickly flooded Travis’s social media with messages of love and condolences, expressing both sympathy and gratitude for Scott’s behind-the-scenes dedication. Many noted how crew members like Minkley often remain unseen but are vital to every successful artist’s journey.
Scott’s passing serves as a powerful reminder of the unsung heroes who make live music possible — the hardworking individuals who spend years ensuring their artists shine.
This isn’t the first time Travis Tritt has turned to music to heal. Throughout his career, he’s paid heartfelt tributes to those who’ve shaped him. In 2015, he honored the late Waylon Jennings, sharing touching stories of their father-son–like bond before performing a medley of Waylon’s classics.
As Travis continues his tour without his dear friend by his side, fans know that Scott Minkley’s spirit will live on — in every chord, every lyric, and every heartfelt performance that follows.