Nolan Neal, a musician, passed away at the age of 41. The Nashville musician was well-known for appearing on Season 15 of America’s Got Talent in 2020 and Season 10 of The Voice in 2016.
Neal was discovered deceased by his roommate on July 18 in his Nashville apartment, according to the musician’s cousin Dylan Seals, who spoke to TMZ.
No specific reason for death has been given. On Neal’s bedside desk was a guitar pick that “looked to have powder residue,” according to law enforcement.
The musician had previously been honest about his battles with substance misuse and sang an original song called “Lost” as part of his audition for America’s Got Talent.
Neal talked about how the suicide of his father inspired him to further his musical career during his audition. After signing a record deal in Los Angeles, his drug problems worsened, but “Lost” was the first song he wrote after quitting drugs. He received a standing ovation from the judges for the song.
Neal continued to compete in the AGT Season 15 quarterfinals, delivering another potent original, “Send Me a Butterfly.”
The lyrics to Neal’s song “Send Me a Butterfly” are primarily about death and loss; they recount the tale of a loved one who has passed away and the hunt for evidence of an afterlife.
On July 18, Neal passed away, and the lyrics from “Send Me a Butterfly” were used in a post on the singer’s official Instagram fan page to pay tribute to him.
NOLAN NEAL SEALS: “Send a butterfly our way. On the other side, see you. Let your halo shine and spread your wings. The image reads, “R.I.P. YOU CRAZY DIAMOND,” along with the words, “I can’t believe you’re gone from us.”
