LifeNotes: Shelton Harrison

Shelton Harrison

Prominent concert promoter Shelton Harrison has died in Nashville, Tenn. at age 78. He died on Thursday (Feb. 21) following a long battle with cancer. Services were held on Monday (Feb. 25) at Williamson Memorial Gardens in Franklin, Tenn.

During his most active 20 years of concert promotion, he worked with numerous artists, including Marty Robbins, Dottie West, Kenny Rogers, Tom T. Hall, Larry Gatlin, Ronnie Milsap, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Jr., The Bama Band, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, T.G. Sheppard, Carl Perkins, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Ed Bruce, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Charley Pride, Shelly West, David Frizzell, Mel Tillis, Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius, Brenda Lee, Jeannie Sealy, Mel McDaniel, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Vern Gosdin, Donna Fargo, Jean Shepard, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Barbara Mandrell, Louis Mandrell, Janie Frickie, Charlie Rich, Charlie Daniels, Justin Timberlake and others.

In addition to promoting traditional concerts and concert venues, Harrison innovated new events that served to expand the reach of country music while also benefiting public charities. One event was his 1976 creation of the Shelton Harrison Pro-Celebrity Golf Tournament to benefit St. Jude Hospital, which featured golfers such as U.S. Open champion Lou Graham and other sports celebrities including Stan Musial and Bear Bryant.

Harrison was also a former Golden Gloves champion and professional boxer. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Brucene; daughter, Camille; and son, Shelley.