BREAKING: Music Row Champion Pat Rolfe Passes

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Pat Rolfe

Pat Rolfe, one of the first women to head a major publishing company on Music Row, passed away on Friday (May 24) after a battle with cancer. She was 77.

Rolfe began her career at Lamar Fike’s Hill & Range, where she worked with artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow, Eddie Rabbit, Bill Monroe, George Morgan and more. She became General Manager of the company in 1972.

Rolfe remained at Hill & Range until Chappell Music purchased it in 1975. She stayed with Chappell and eventually rose to Vice President, a post she held until 1987 when Warner Bros. Music purchased it. During Rolfe’s tenure, Chappell Music was named ASCAP Publisher of the Year seven times.

After leaving Chappell, ASCAP Nashville head Connie Bradley hired Rolfe as Director of Membership Relations. She stayed at ASCAP, rising to the position of Vice President, until 2010. During her time at ASCAP, Rolfe brought in writers such as Tony Mullins, Deryl Dodd, Trevor Rosen, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear, Chris Tompkins, Michael Knox, Gerry House, Tim Ryan, Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley and Wynonna Judd.

In 1991, Rolfe and other Music Row leaders Judy Harris and Sheila Shipley Biddy formed SOURCE, an organization focused on fostering relationships and opportunities for women in the entertainment industry. Now the longest-running organization for women in the music industry in Nashville, SOURCE continues to be a tentpole institution for the community.

Rolfe also co-founded the Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament that raises money for charity each year. She was inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame in 2012.

Rolfe will be remembered for her commitment to championing and mentoring multiple generations of women in the business. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Mack; her stepchildren, John (Vanessa), Jim (Mary K) and Dick (Michelle); seven grandchildren; brothers, Jim, Mike, Joe, and Charlie Patterson and sister, Margaret Simmons. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marie and George Patterson, and her brother Jerry Patterson and sister-in-law Ann Patterson.

A visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Green Hills Community Church with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Bonaparte’s Retreat Dog Rescue, the Green Hills Community Church or a charity of your choice.

LB Cantrell
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