Country “Sidekick” Frank Oakley Passes
Frank Oakley, a well-liked music executive who worked with country artists including Marty Robbins, Jim Reeves, Faron Young and Willie Nelson, died on April 2. He was 83. A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Oakley was a veteran of WWII and a former police officer. His country music career began in 1961, when he was hired by the Mary Carter Paint Company, charged with attracting country stars for the company’s advertising. In 1979, Oakley and his wife Jeanie went to work for Nelson, opening the Willie Nelson and Family General Store, which they ran for the next 30 years. He chronicled his life in country music in a recent book, The Nashville Sidekick. Oakley was was a member of AFTRA and R.O.P.E.
LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.
Latest posts by LB Cantrell (see all)
- Country Outlaw David Allan Coe Dies At 86 - April 30, 2026
- BREAKING: Date Revealed For 60th Annual CMA Awards - April 29, 2026
- Music Industry Veteran Cliff Downs Passes Away - April 25, 2026
Was so sad to hear about the passing of a country legend from Nashville in the R.O.P.E. newsletter . Frank Oakley had so many stories and was a good historian of the country scene and I know all his friends are going to miss him bigtime . On my last trip to Nashville I bought his book and starting reading it on the plane home – and Damn – left it on the seat when I got off so never finished it . Was going to phone for another copy but never got around to doing it . Lesson again about not putting off until tomorrow.I will always treasure the time we spent together and his allowing me to film a George Hamilton IV video with him and friends in the Willie Nelson Museum for future DVD release . May he rest in peace . Don Wayne Patterson – Montreal, Canada
One of Nashville’s treasures. I enjoyed all the stories about Faron, Mel, and especially Fluffo. Frank gave me my biggest thrill in Nashville, he saw to it that I got to interview Willie, on his bus! WOW!!! I was speechless!
I had called Frank a couple of weeks ago and thanked him for all his help and advice, and especially the Willie interview. I’m glad I did.
Frank’s new book is good reading, you can almost hear his voice, as you read it.
RIP SideKick ! Ellis Starkey, Hendersonville, Tennessee