Veteran Music Manager Erv Woolsey Passes Away At 80

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Erv Woolsey. Photo: Courtesy of The Erv Woolsey Co.

Erv Woolsey, the manager and champion of George Strait for 45 years, passed away this morning (March 20)  in Clearwater, Florida due to complications from surgery. He was 80.

In addition to Strait, Woolsey helped steward the careers of Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker and Country Music Hall of Famer Ronnie Milsap.

Erv Woolsey & George Strait. Photo: Courtesy of The Erv Woolsey Co.

Reflecting on his passing, Strait shared, “My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer, Erv Woolsey, passed away this morning. He had complications from a surgery and just couldn’t overcome it. He was a very tough man, and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much. We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won’t ever be the same without him.”

Born Eugene Ervine “Erv” Woolsey on Feb. 15, 1944 in Houston, Texas, Woolsey spent his entire professional life in the music business. A graduate of Southwest Texas State University, he started his career in the Promotion department at Decca Records. After spending time at other record labels, Woolsey made his way to Nashville in 1973 when he was tapped as Head of Promotions for ABC Records’ new country division. There he worked with Johnny Rodriguez, Jimmy Buffett, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender and the Amazing Rhythm Aces.

At the same time, Woolsey and his then wife Connie owned The Prairie Rose, a club in San Marcos, Texas. It was there he first saw and met Strait and, taken with his talent and charisma, began to book him regularly to perform.

After making his mark at ABC, Woolsey embarked on an unprecedented run at MCA during the ’80s. He helped create ongoing radio success for future Country Music Hall of Fame members Barbara Mandrell, Don Williams, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty and The Oak Ridge Boys as well as Lee Greenwood.

In 1981, Woolsey convinced label head Jim Foglesong to sign Strait to a record deal at MCA Records, his label home to this day. Strait began his career of hits with debut single “Unwound.”

In 1984, Woolsey left MCA to devote himself to managing Strait’s career. With Woolsey by his side, Strait went on to win several Entertainer of the Year awards across four decades among more than 60 major entertainment awards, sell over 105 million albums, notch more No. 1 songs (60) than any other artist in history, be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and more.

Woolsey continued to stay relevant in the modern times of the genre. His continued love of the business and developing new talent saw him signing emerging artists Ian Munsick, Davisson Brothers Band, Kylie Frey, Triston Marez, Nick Davisson, Zach Neil, Stone Senate and Vince Herman over the last few years.

An accomplished businessman, Woolsey also developed a series of clubs, bars and hangouts throughout his career. Alongside business partner Steve Ford, he opened The Trap before striking gold with the anti-glam, come-as-you-are Losers. Designed as a hole in the wall for publishers, producers, writers and the alternative Music Row types, Losers’ success spawned the equally busy Winners, right next door, and the Dawg House.

Woolsey served on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association and the Tennessee Museum of History. A frequent counsel to young managers, agents, artists and executives, he was known to be a gracious industry leader who was generous with his knowledge and time.

A longtime fan and passionate member of the horse racing community, Woolsey is a Lifetime Member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association. He was also regular at Kentucky’s Churchill Downs and Keeneland, including Super Stock’s run in the Kentucky Derby Grade One in 2021 and Jordan’s Henny in the Kentucky Oaks Grade One in 2017.

Woolsey passed peacefully under the care of physicians. He is survived by his son Clint, ex-wife Connie, brother David and sister Beth, and preceded in death by his parents, John and Mavis Woolsey, and brother Johnny Woolsey.

Details on arrangements will be shared at a future date.

LB Cantrell
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