Longtime MCA Records Exec. Walt Wilson Passes

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Walt Wilson

Longtime industry executive Walt Wilson passed away on July 3 in Gallatin, Tennessee. He was 68.

Walter George Wilson was born in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pittsburgh. Upon graduation in 1976, he worked his way from a “rack jobber” for a record distribution company in Pittsburgh to sales clerk in a record store, then became field sales manager for Inner City Records out of New York.

He eventually moved to Nashville into a position as Senior VP at MCA Nashville. At the label he was instrumental in breaking the careers of Reba McEntire, George Strait, Lyle Lovett, Trisha Yearwood and many other artists. Throughout his career, he also worked for Capitol Records, Compendium, had his own consulting company and taught at Belmont University.

Wilson is survived by his four children, Ben Wilson (Los Angeles), Sophie Wilson (Chicago), Gaby Wilson (Nashville) and Dan Sherman (Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania); two sisters, Rosemarie Shratter (Elliot) (Albuquerque, New Mexico) and Christine Duclos (Denver); former wife Robyn Allgeyer (Cincinnati), and grandson, Hendrix Wilson (Nashville).

In lieu of a service, the family has encouraged friends to reach out with condolences, memories and stories of Wilson at [email protected].

Lorie Hollabaugh
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