Music Author Patsi Bale Cox Passes

Patsi Bale Cox died at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville on Saturday, Nov. 5, of complications from emphysema. She was 66.

She was a music journalist, publicist and author who was noted for collaborating with stars on their autobiographies. Among the celebrities she co-wrote books with/for are Tanya Tucker, Loretta Lynn, Ralph Emery, Georgette Jones, Pat Benatar, Tony Orlando and Wynonna Judd.

She also wrote the 2009 book The Garth Factor: The Career Behind Country’s Big Boom, based on her experiences at Capitol Records during the superstar’s ascent in the 1990s.

A native of Kansas, Patsi Bale Cox moved to Nashville in 1983, just after publishing 1982’s Rocky Mountain Country.

Her most recent book is The Three of Us: Growing Up with Tammy and George. The collaboration with Georgette Jones was published earlier this year.

At the time of her death, she was working on biographies of Kenny Rogers and record executive Steve Popovich.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Nov. 7, 1991—Patsi Bale Cox and her daughter Tracy with Garth Brooks at his concert in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Photo: Alan Mayor