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Grammy award-winning songwriter, Don Rollins, most known for co-writing Jimmy Buffet’s “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” passed away this week.

Rollins was a Southeast Texas Native and graduate of Lamar University where he was a student of the 14th President James M. Simmons. He began his career as a band director at local schools in the region leading them to receive multiple recognitions. 

Rollins was a gifted saxophonist. He played in the horn section with other musicians like Joe Williams, Bob Crosby and The Temptations. Rollins’s songwriting career began in 1989 with a record by Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Price.

In 2003 Rollins along with Jim “Moose” Brown wrote “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” for Jimmy Buffet and Alan Jackson, the song would eventually go on to spend eight weeks at number 1 on the Billboard charts and win a Grammy for Best County Song 2003.

In 2007 he wrote two songs for Reba McEntire’s “Duets”. Since then he has continued to teach others around the country about the joy of music and songwriting.

He was 63.