Betsy Smittle, Garth Brooks’ Sister Has Died At The Age of 60

Betsy Smittle, Garth Brooks' half-sister died on Saturday at the age of 60. No cause of death has been announced although its rumored that cancer was the cause.

Betsy wasn’t just Garth's sister, but she was also a longtime member of his band, Stillwater, playing bass guitar and singing background vocals. Betsy performed on Garth’s 1991 debut album Ropin’ the Wind and also on his albums The Chase, In Pieces, Fresh Horses and the Double Live concert album.

Betsy’s late mother was Colleen Carroll, a country singer of the 40s and 50s who was married to Jim Smittle. After Carroll divorced Jim, she married Troyal Brooks, Garth’s father.

Betsy wasn’t just a part of Garth’s band, she was a musician herself, releasing a solo album called  Rough Around the Edges in 1994. She also toured with singer Gus Hardin and appeared on her 2001 album, I'm Dancing As Fast As I Can.