Eddy Arnold, one of the pioneers of 'The Nashville Sound,' died Thursday morning, just days before his 90th birthday. The legendary country singer was second only to George Jones in the number of songs that made the country charts, with 145 radio hits -- 28 of those making it all the way to No. 1. Some of his many classics include 'Make the World Go Away,' 'Bouquet of Roses,' 'Lonely Again' and 'Cattle Call,' just to name a few. Many of those hits also made it onto the pop charts, as Arnold became one of the first crossover successes to come out of Nashville, paving the way for future country-pop acts like Kenny Rogers and Charlie Rich.

Nashville songwriter Richard Fagan, who has written songs for John Michael Montgomery, Clay Walker and Hank Williams Jr., has been charged with criminal homicide following the stabbing death of the father of 'Saturday Night Live' comedienne Cheri Oteri. According to Nashville's Tennessean newspaper, Tom Oteri, Fagan's manager and publisher, died Saturday night when Fagan cut his wrist with a pocket knife during an argument. Fagan was later arrested for drunk driving, and Oteri's body was discovered Sunday morning in the house where the two men lived as roommates.

Fagan's songwriting credits include Montgomery's chart-topping hits 'Sold' and 'Be My Baby Tonight,' as well as Walker's 'Only on Days That End in Y' and Williams' 'Why Don't We All Just Get a Longneck.' He also had songs recorded by Neil Diamond, George Strait and several other artists. Fagan's website says Fagan and Oteri had known each other since the mid-'70s, when both lived in Philadelphia.

Porter Wagoner, the country music legend known for his signature blond pompadour and flashy, rhinestone-encrusted suits, died Sunday at a Nashville hospice. The singer was suffering from lung cancer. He was 80.

Throughout his 40-year career, Wagoner had 81 songs on the country music charts, 19 of those with his musical prodigy, Dolly Parton. He gave Parton her big break in 1967, hiring her as a singing partner. The two released several albums of duets together, and won the Country Music Association's first-ever Duo of the Year Award. Parton wrote the classic hit, 'I Will Always Love You,' about her professional relationship with her mentor.

In addition to his singing and songwriting, Wagoner was a celebrated television personality, hosting the syndicated 'Porter Wagoner Show' for 21 years -- the longest running country music variety show in history.

Wagoner was a staple in the country music scene right up until his death. In May, he celebrated his 50th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. In June, he released his last CD, 'Wagonmaster,' to some of the best reviews of his career. And in July, he opened for the White Stripes at a sold-out show at New York's Madison Square Garden.