Country music singer Vern Gosdin dies in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (Reuters) - Honky-tonk singer Vern Gosdin, 74, whose "Chiseled in Stone" became a classic in country music, has died, his assistant said on Wednesday.

Gosdin, sometimes known simply as "the Voice," recently suffered a stroke and died on Tuesday in a Nashville hospital, assistant Dawn Hall said.

A native of Woodland, Alabama, Gosdin began his career performing with his brothers, Rex and Ray Gosdin. He and Rex, who died in 1983, moved to California and joined the bluegrass group the Golden State Boys.

The duo later had a country hit in 1967 with "Hangin' On."

Gosdin also formed the Hillmen with Chris Hillman, who later became a founding member of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers.

Besides bluegrass and country music, Gosdin dabbled in gospel and also wrote "Someone to Turn To," recorded by the Byrds for the rock soundtrack to the 1969 movie "Easy Rider."

In 1972, he moved to Atlanta, raised a family, operated a business and performed sporadically in local clubs.

His career resumed in 1976 with the help of old friend Emmylou Harris, who spearheaded a revival of more traditional country music.

Gosdin's "Chiseled in Stone" won the Country Music Association Song of the Year award in 1989. Other hits included "I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You're Gonna Love Me Tonight)," "Do You Believe Me Now?" and "Set 'em Up Joe."

(Reporting by Pat Harris; Editing by Andrew Stern)