Andrew Dorff was a successful country songwriter who wrote hits for Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, and many others. He was also the brother of actor Stephen Dorff and the son of songwriter Steve Dorff. He died unexpectedly on December 20, 2016, while vacationing in Turks and Caicos. His death shocked and saddened the country music community and his fans. But what was Andrew Dorff’s cause of death? How did he die at such a young age?
Contents
The Mysterious Circumstances of His Death
According to Distractify, Andrew Dorff’s cause of death was never officially announced. However, his brother Stephen Dorff revealed some details about the incident in an interview with Larry King. He said that Andrew was drinking and splashing around in a Jacuzzi when someone spotted him lying on his back, not moving. They brought him onto the beach and tried to revive him, but it was too late.
Stephen Dorff speculated that there was some combination of alcohol and water involved in his brother’s death, but he did not know the exact cause. He said that he was devastated by the loss and that his brother should be alive and enjoying his success.
His Legacy as a Songwriter
Andrew Dorff started his career as a recording artist for Sony and Lost Highway, but he moved to Nashville to focus on songwriting. He quickly became one of the most sought-after songwriters in the country music industry, penning hits for some of the biggest stars. Some of his notable songs include:
- “Save It for a Rainy Day” by Kenny Chesney
- “My Eyes” and “Neon Light” by Blake Shelton
- “Somebody’s Heartbreak” by Hunter Hayes
- “Ride” by Martina McBride
- “Bleed Red” by Ronnie Dunn
- “Shut Me Up” by Old Dominion
- “Missing” by William Michael Morgan
He also collaborated with his brother Stephen Dorff on a song called “Spill Me Out of This Town”, which was featured in the film Wheeler, where Stephen played a country singer alongside Kris Kristofferson.
Andrew Dorff received four BMI Million Air Awards for songs that had been played one million times each on radio. He was also nominated for several awards, including CMA Song of the Year and ACM Song of the Year for “Save It for a Rainy Day”.
His Impact on His Friends and Family
Andrew Dorff was not only a talented songwriter, but also a good friend and a loving brother and son. He had many close friends in the Nashville songwriting community, who mourned his death and paid tribute to him. Lee Thomas Miller, the president of Nashville Songwriters Association International, said that Andrew was “a good man and a good friend” and that “he was an elite songwriter at the peak of his life and career”.
His father Steve Dorff wrote on Facebook that Andrew was “the best friend any father could have” and that his light would forever shine in his heart and in all those who knew him. His brother Stephen Dorff said that he missed him every day and that he was proud of him.
Andrew Dorff also appeared in the Hulu documentary Kid 90, which featured footage from Soleil Moon Frye’s video camera when she was a teen star in Hollywood in the 1990s. Frye was one of Andrew’s best friends, and she said that watching the tapes with Stephen was very meaningful because they brought them closer together after Andrew’s death.
Conclusion
Andrew Dorff’s cause of death remains a mystery, but his life and music will always be remembered. He was a prolific and successful songwriter who touched many lives with his songs. He was also a beloved brother, son, and friend who left behind a legacy of love and light. He died too soon, but he left behind a lasting impact on the country music world.