Justin Cary, Bassist for Sixpence None the Richer, Dies After Stroke at 50

During his final days in the ICU, Linda—his wife—remained by his side.

Published: 6/20/2026, 10:47:37 PM EDT

Justin Cary, Bassist for Sixpence None the Richer, Dies After Stroke at 50 — An ambulance in a stock photo. (Shutterstock)

Justin Cary, the longtime bassist for Christian alternative rock band Sixpence None the Richer, died on Thursday at the age of 50 after suffering a stroke days earlier, according to a GoFundMe campaign created on his behalf.

Cary, who had been a fixture in Nashville's music scene since 1997 and was originally from upstate New York, was rushed to Albany Medical Center on a Thursday evening after suffering the stroke. He underwent two surgeries and was admitted to the intensive care unit.

"Justin passed peacefully this morning and Linda was next to him," organizer J. Arnold wrote in an update posted to the campaign on Thursday. "Please continue to pray and give strength during this very difficult time."

The campaign had raised more than $41,000 of a $45,000 goal as of its most recent update on Saturday, and was created to help cover medical expenses.

Leigh Nash, the lead vocalist of Sixpence None the Richer, paid tribute to Cary in a post on Instagram, calling him a bandmate and friend of three decades.

"Our brother of 30 years (and bassist), Justin had a stroke Thursday night," Nash wrote on the official Instagram page for Sixpence None the Richer. "His wonderful wife Linda has kept us updated every day and night too. She is lovely, delicate, and unfathomably heartbroken."

Nash mourned Cary's passing in a follow-up Instagram post, writing: "We sure had a great time is an understatement. Thank you, Justin. We love you forever. Please keep his dear Linda close to your hearts. She is our family. There's never been anybody like Justin.”

During his final days in the ICU, Linda—his wife—remained by his side. Arnold wrote in a Wednesday update on the fundraiser page, "Justin is in the ICU and on a respirator. He is receiving amazing care! Linda is right next to his bed reading to him and hopeful he hears her."

According to his personal website, jusinoscarycary.com, Cary spent nearly three decades as a working musician in Nashville, performing and recording with a wide range of artists across rock, pop, and country genres. His career took him to 48 U.S. states as well as Canada, Argentina, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and more than a dozen other countries.

Among his most notable credits, Cary was a member of Sixpence None the Richer, the Grammy-nominated group best known for the hit single "Kiss Me." His work with the band earned him a Grammy nomination and appearances on programs including "The Late Show with David Letterman," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," and "The Today Show.”

Outside of Sixpence None the Richer, Cary recorded and performed with a broad roster of artists including Counting Crows, Lee Brice, Jennifer Knapp, and Emerson Hart of Tonic, among others.

In the same post Nash remembered Cary not only for his musicianship but also for the kind of presence he brought to those around him, describing his "second to none professionalism, class, humor—oh my lord the humor—wit, tough as an old boot as they say.”

Project Atlantic Music, a non-profit group providing top notch tuition free music education, commented on the post, writing: "Will never forget seeing you guys for the first time and being in the first row right in front of Justin. He played like an absolute monster on that extended version of Ocean Sized Love. Rest in peace."