LifeNotes: Tony Harley

Tony Harley

Anthony “Tony” Ray Harley, a longtime member of the Nashville music community, passed away at home on Nov. 21, 2014. He was 66.

According to his obituary, Harley met songwriters Danny Morrison and Johnny Slate in 1987 and soon after launched Affiliated Publishers, Inc. and Image Management. Harley worked as a Principal and CFO at the company, and handled management and publicity for artists Joe Diffie, Tim McGraw and Ty Herndon. In 1992, Harley and McGraw started a management company, TMR2, focusing on McGraw’s career.

In 1999, Harley was instrumental in forming Tanasi Music Group and became CEO, working alongside Ed Arnold and artist Chalee Tennison. Since 2003, Harley worked as an independent business consultant.

Harley was born and raised in Cookeville, Tenn. He served in the U.S. Army in Nuremberg, Germany and went on to graduate from Tennessee Tech University.

A celebration of life memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Nashville Funeral and Cremation Service.