Huntsman Entertainment Closes

Ron and Vivian Huntsman.

Ron Huntsman, President of Huntsman Entertainment, announced Monday (Oct. 30) the company bearing his name has ceased operations. The decision comes after 52 years in the radio, records and artist promotion and development business, 47 of which have been in Nashville. Huntsman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011.

In 1973, he launched Ron Huntsman Promotions. Willie Nelson’s “Blue Eyes Cryin’ In the Rain” was the first of many No. 1 singles he promoted, and others included Waylon Jennings’ “Are You Sure Old Hank Done It This Way,” Billy Swan’s “I Can Help” and Charlie Daniels’ “Uneasy Rider,” “Long Haired Country Boy” and “The South’s Gonna Do It (Again).”

Ron and wife Vivian opened Huntsman Entertainment in 1988.

In addition to his regular programming, Huntsman has overseen production of over 160 album and product release radio specials for virtually every record label in Nashville over the last 29 years. Huntsman Entertainment also produced over 30 Live From Nashville and Live from Hollywood multi-station remote broadcasts during CMA and ACM awards weeks. He was tapped by Country Cares for St. Jude Kids, the radiothon program that has raised over $750 million for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to produce “story songs” used by over 200 Country radio stations.

In 1988, Huntsman was awarded the esteemed CMA Founding President’s Award.

Their weekly syndicated radio show Country HitMakers debuted in April of 1994 and at its peak aired on over 600 stations. The final episode aired October 1, 2017. The entertaining Christmas on Music Row program, now in it’s 26th year, will be available through 2017, and stations interested in running the final episode may contact rh@huntsmanent.com.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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