Stacy Widelitz

Stacy Widelitz (March 28, 1956 – June 17, 2025) was an American composer, songwriter, and photographer. He co-wrote the song "She's Like the Wind" with Patrick Swayze for the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. The single peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart in 1988. Based in Los Angeles and later Nashville, he composed for feature films and television, including ABC’s World of Discovery, for which he received an Emmy nomination, and wrote the end-title song "Between Two Worlds" for Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World.

Early life Widelitz was born in Plainview, New York, on March 28, 1956, and began performing as a pianist while still a teenager. By age 15 he was playing clubs on Long Island, joined the American Federation of Musicians Local 802, and started composing professionally at 19. He also co-wrote the end-title song "Between Two Worlds" for Disney’s Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World, performed by Judy Kuhn and Billy Zane. He served as a City Commissioner in Oak Hill, Tennessee, from 2016 to 2020.

Photography In later years, Widelitz developed a parallel career as a black-and-white street photographer. His work was exhibited in Nashville at Chauvet Arts and other venues, and he received multiple awards and publications. Posthumous honor: creation of the annual “Widelitz Music In Film Award” at the Nashville Film Festival (2025).

Death Widelitz died on June 17, 2025, at the age of 69 following a recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer that had metastasized. Cro (ABC/Children’s Television Workshop)

Civic and professional leadership Widelitz served as President of Leadership Music in 2017–2018, following earlier officer roles. He was a longtime board member of Nashville Opera, ALIAS Chamber Ensemble, and the Nashville Film Festival, where he later became board president. He also served as a City Commissioner for Oak Hill from 2016 to 2020.