Foglesong To Retire From Teaching

Music industry executive and producer Jim Foglesong will retire from his teaching position with Vanderbilt University following the end of the spring 2012 semester, it was announced by Blair School of Music Dean Mark Wait.

Foglesong’s accomplishments are legendary, including signing George Strait and Reba McEntire while running MCA’s country division as well as guiding the careers of Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell, Tanya Tucker and more. He also produced albums for Julie Andrews, Doris Day, Les Paul, and Al Hirt among others.

Since 1991, Foglesong has taught “The Business of Music,” a weekly three-hour seminar that is one of the Blair School’s most popular classes. Though he will no longer be teaching, he will remain on the faculty in an advisory role.

“Jim Foglesong is an icon in the music profession, and for good reason,” said Wait. “He has a fabulous ear for quality, and the kind of integrity we should all aspire to. He’s a great human being. The Blair School is deeply honored to have him on our faculty, and although he has decided to stop teaching his class, I am delighted that he will continue to be available to aspiring students and musicians.”

“I want to thank Dean Mark Wait and the faculty and staff of the Blair School of Music for their 20-plus years of total support,” said Foglesong. “I have been privileged to talk about the music business to a full classroom of interested students every Wednesday night. I look forward to the challenges of my new responsibilities.”