A. J. Masters, Songwriter for Faith Hill, Oak Ridge Boys & Randy Travis, Has Died

By Timothy Yap Jan 13, 2015 05:26 PM EST

A. J. Masters, the songwriter who wrote Oak Ridge Boys' "Change My Mind," Faith Hill "Ain't Love Like That," and Randy Travis "An Ole Pair of Shoes," has passed away. He passed away on Jan. 12 on Monday. Masters died from complications after battling prostate cancer.

Masters was born in Walden, New York but raised in Compton, California. He played bass guitar in his brother's band, and had his first cut in 1978 when Mickey Jones recorded "I'm No Cowboy".

Masters signed with Bermuda Dunes records in the 1980s, charting with eight of his releases for the label. The highest peak was number 48 with "Back Home", his second release, in early 1986. He also released an album of the same name in 1986. An uncredited review in Billboard gave Back Home a positive review, saying that Masters had "a light, intense, and flexible quality". A review of "I Don't Mean Maybe", his fourth single, praised his "full and assertive voice"

"He was such a sweet and supportive man," KUAD morning man Brian Gary recalls. "He was so kind to everyone who encountered him. We could all learn a lot about how to treat others from the way A.J. lived his life. You will be missed, my friend."