Industry Veteran Rick Rockhill Passes

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Rick Rockhill

Glen Richard “Rick” Rockhill passed away peacefully at his home in Panama City, Florida on Aug. 29. He was 80.

A veteran of the music industry, “Rocket Man,” as he was known to his many friends and colleagues, was instrumental in developing the careers of many notable artists, including Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Steve Holy, Hal Ketchum, Wynonna Judd, Jo Dee Messina, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul Davis, Sawyer Brown, Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn, Rodney Atkins and many more.

Rockhill was born in Birmingham and began his music career in Nashville as a promotions executive. Operating out of Nashville and Atlanta, he worked for several labels throughout his career, including Bang Records, Capricorn Records, Curb Records and DreamWorks Nashville. In the ’90’s he was a partner at Tandem Promotions with Tari Laes. In 2024, he moved to Panama City Beach to be closer to family.

Along with music he had an eclectic array of interests from hiking at Radnor Lake and fly fishing to documentary films, reading and following current events. Long after retirement he remained keenly interested in discovering new talent, but his heart and driving force would always be his family, especially daughter Cayce, granddaughters Bayleigh and Savannah, and great-grandson Brooks.

Rockhill was predeceased by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Loren V. Rockhill of Birmingham and is survived by daughter Cayce Lee Rockhill of Lovettsville, Virginia; brother Ron Rockhill and wife Gayle of Panama City Beach; grandchildren Loren Bayleigh Langston of Bluffton, South Carolina and Savannah McGarity of Lovettsville, Virginia; and great grandson Brooks Langston.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Lowcountry Autism Foundation of Bluffton, S.C., (10 Pinckney Colony Road, Building 100, Suite 100, Bluffton, S.C., 29909). A celebration of life is being planned for October.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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