• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
    • Upcoming Concerts
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

Lifenotes: BMI Board Member Don Thurston

October 7, 2009/by Sarah Skates

Don Thurston, a former BMI Board member who was instrumental in developing the organization’s Nashville office, has died at age 79 after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease. During his 60-year career he founded and served as President of Berkshire Broadcasting. In addition to the BMI board, he was the National Association of Broadcasters Joint Radio-TV Chairman, NAB Radio Chairman, and was acknowledged with the NAB’s Distinguished Service Award.

Jack Sander, BMI Board Chairman, released this statement:

“We were saddened to learn of the passing of one of the broadcast industry’s most admired and respected leaders, a man who played a seminal role in the growth of BMI, our former Board member, Don Thurston. Don served on the Board from 1990 to 2005, was its chairman from 1994 to 1997, and led the initiative to move much of its operations staff to a new, state of the art building on Music Row in Nashville, saving the company tens of millions in operating expenses and preparing its technical infrastructure for the digital age.”

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates
Sarah Skates has been a writer and editor in the music business since 2004. She is a longtime contributor to MusicRow.
Sarah Skates
Latest posts by Sarah Skates (see all)
  • Parker McCollum Sells Out Ascend Amphitheater, Celebrates Double Platinum Single - May 23, 2022
  • CMA Presents Triple Play Awards, Honors Bob DiPiero - May 13, 2022
  • Breakout Artist, Nashville Native Jelly Roll To Headline Bridgestone Arena - May 13, 2022
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Sarah Skates https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Sarah Skates2009-10-07 13:09:232009-10-07 13:09:23Lifenotes: BMI Board Member Don Thurston
You might also like
Soul Singer Bobby Hebb Passes
Lifenotes: Danny Petraitis (Updated)
WDHR’s Randy Jones Passes Away
Lifenotes: Guitarist Fred Carter Jr.
Gibson Luthier Hutchins Passes
Lifenotes: Billy Deaton [updated 11/3]
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • Brock Phillips Signs With Big Loud Records & Local Hay Records May 15, 2026
  • Ella Langley Notches A Fourth Consecutive Week Atop MusicRow Radio Chart May 15, 2026
  • Solon Holt Inks With Trenches Records & Republic Records May 15, 2026
  • Scotty McCreery Celebrates Career With ‘15’ May 14, 2026
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: ERNEST & Lukas Nelson Team For Disc Of The Day May 14, 2026
  • Spotify Brings Together Nashville Songwriting Community For Mental Health Summit May 14, 2026
  • Randy Travis To Celebrate 40 Years Of ‘Storms Of Life’ At Special Nashville Palace Event May 14, 2026
  • Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Bids Farewell At 60th Anniversary Show May 14, 2026
  • Anne Wilson Expands ‘The Stars Tour’ Into Fall With 25 New Dates May 14, 2026
  • NSAI Celebrates Members & Industry Supporters At Annual Member Awards May 14, 2026

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2026 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top