Jake Flint  Photo credit: Melissa Payne Photography

Oklahoma Red Dirt country music artist, Jake Flint, died in his sleep in the early morning hours on Sunday, November 26. Flint had exchanged wedding vows with Brenda Wilson on Saturday. He was 37. No official cause of death has been determined. News of his death quickly went viral on social media and has since been covered by dozens of media outlets around the world.

The family has released funeral arrangements and have made a public statement:

“Our hearts are broken over this tragic loss. Jacob was a beloved son, brother, uncle, and partner to his wife, Brenda. He valued his family, friendships and living life to the fullest, which was evident in his songwriting. Every person who knew him has a story of his wit, charm, talent, and compassion. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support and the many beautiful tributes that have been shared about the impact Jacob had on many lives. While we grieve what we know could have been, we’re grateful that his talent and love live on in his songs.”

Services for Flint will be Monday, December 5 at 10:00 am at Cedar Point Church, 1660 N Lynn Riggs Blvd, Claremore Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Red Dirt Relief Fund at this link: https://www.reddirtrelieffund.org/.

A GoFundMe account has been established to assist the family at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jacob-flint-family-fundraiser.

Flint was born and raised in the oilfield boom town of Holdenville in southeastern Oklahoma, the son of a wildcat oilman and a hard-working mother of two. He started playing music after his father, an avid music lover, was diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Since he wouldn’t be able to participate in sports with his son, Flint’s father commissioned a couple of friends to teach his son to play guitar and take him to regional bluegrass festivals. Flint soon transitioned into a love for jam bands such as Phish, String Cheese Incident, and Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. It was during this time that the young Flint was inspired to write his own music, drawing inspiration from Texas singer-songwriters Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt, and later from Red Dirt artists Tom Skinner, Bob Childers, and The Great Divide. He then steadily been paying his dues working on the live performance circuit of the Red Dirt music scene of Oklahoma, Texas, and surrounding states. With his easy-going style, quick wit, and exceptional performance skills he slowly gathered a dedicated legion of fans.

Flint wrote and recorded his first studio album, “I’m Not Okay’ in 2016. It was produced by Mike McClure, a founding member of The Great Divide. In 2017, he signed for management representation with veteran music industry professional, Brenda Cline. Cline enlisted longtime Nashville publicist, Clif Doyal, and Texas radio promoter Ed Spacek to launch his first single, “Cowtown” in 2017. The song along with “Long Road Back Home” released in 2018

and “What’s Your Name” in 2020 all charted on regional radio charts as the team expanded to include radio promoter, Debbie Green. He released the eponymous studio album ‘Jake Flint’ in 2020 and two live albums, ‘Live and Not OK at Cain’s Ballroom’ in 2018, and ‘Live and Socially Distanced at Mercury Lounge’ in 2021. His musical output drew critical acclaim, and he was a featured performer on the “Future Faces Show” at the Texas Regional Radio Music Awards (TRRMA) in 2018 and was named “Breakout Artist of the Year” at the We Are Tulsa Music Awards in 2019.

“Jake Flint was a rising star,” states manager, Brenda Cline. “Not only did he possess amazing talent, he possessed qualities even more important than talent. Jake’s attitude, enthusiasm, drive, and work ethic set him apart. He had a humble personality, lovable nature, and the ability to keep you laughing till your sides hurt. When you met Jake you immediately loved him and knew you had just met a friend for life. I can’t imagine a world without Jake Flint.”

“I first met Jake when he came for a radio visit about six years ago,” says Jim Nash, on-air personality, Shooter FM/Waco, TX. “I knew instantly that he was a good soul. He was always funny and had a smile on his face. He performed several live shows for us, and he was always the life of the show. His contribution to the Texas/Red Dirt scene will be sorely missed. RIP Brother.”

“Jake Flint was a true Ambassador of the Oklahoma and Texas Red Dirt music scene,” Doyal states. “He was not only a prolific songwriter, recording artist, and in-demand live performer, but he was also a tireless supporter of other talents throughout the region, always willing to lend a hand to help anyone who needed it. With his infectious smile and disarming sense of humor, he was loved by many, and I believe that, along with his music, will be his lasting legacy.”

countryMiscellaneousPress ReleaseJake Flint,Oklahoma Red Dirt country music artist
Oklahoma Red Dirt country music artist, Jake Flint, died in his sleep in the early morning hours on Sunday, November 26. Flint had exchanged wedding vows with Brenda Wilson on Saturday. He was 37. No official cause of death has been determined. News of his death quickly went viral...