Revered BMI Exec Roger Sovine Passes

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Former BMI Nashville executive Roger Sovine has died at age 82.

The widely loved Music Row mainstay bolstered the careers of hundreds of Nashville songwriters and served as a volunteer leader for dozens of non-profits. In recognition of his years of service to the music community, he was given the Recording Academy’s Governors Award in 2000.

Born in West Virginia, he was the son of entertainer Woodrow Wilson “Red” Sovine (1917-1980). Roger’s father performed on radio in Wheeling and Charleston before relocating to Shreveport to perform on KWKH’s Louisiana Hayride, where he was mentored by Hank Williams. Red Sovine also rose to prominence on WSFA in Montgomery, Alabama.

The family moved to Nashville in 1955, when Roger was 12. His father joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry and led Webb Pierce’s Wandering Boys band. Red recorded for MGM, Decca, RCA, Starday, Chart, and other country labels.

Red Sovine scored big hits via duets with Goldie Hill (1955’s “Are You Mine”) and Pierce (1956’s “Why Baby Why” and “Little Rosa”), and sang the solo successes “If Jesus Came to Your House” (1956), “Hold Everything” (1956) and “Dream House for Sale” (1964). He achieved his biggest hits with the trucker-themed recitations “Giddyup Go” (1965), “Phantom 309” (1967) and “Teddy Bear” (1976). Between 1955 and 1980, Red Sovine placed 31 singles on the country charts. In 1963, he became an early mentor to emerging artist Charley Pride.

Roger Sovine initially followed in his father’s footsteps. After graduating from Father Ryan High School and serving in the U.S. Marines, he recorded a string of singles for Imperial and Barnaby in the 1960s and early 1970s. He charted with his self-penned “Cullman, Alabama” and “Little Bitty Nitty Gritty Dirt Town” in 1968-69.

During this same era, Roger Sovine began working in music publishing. He was on staff at Cedarwood Music beginning in 1965. His Cedarwood songs were recorded by Mel Tillis, Carl Perkins, Brent Burns, and others. He also worked at Show-Biz Publishing and South Publishing Productions.

He joined BMI in 1972 as Assistant Vice President of Writer Relations, championing the works of Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and other country songwriting greats. He returned to song publishing in 1979 as an executive at the Welk Music Group. He was named Vice President of Tree International in 1982.

Roger Sovine came back to BMI in 1985 and assumed the title of Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations. During the 1980s and 1990s, he was one of the Music Row community’s most vibrant and influential personalities. Noted for his hail-fellow-well-met demeanor, a twinkle in his eye, unpretentious approach, and good-natured irreverence, he was a touchstone of sanity as the Nashville music industry expanded dramatically.

He championed such songwriters as Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Brooks & Dunn, Waylon Jennings, and Dwight Yoakam. In the case of Keith Urban, as well as many of the others, he believed in talent long before fame arrived. Roger lent his guidance to unknowns as well as hit makers.

His impact extended beyond the boundaries of Music Row. He championed fairness for songwriters when political or economic forces threatened their livelihoods. He served as a mentor to many younger executives and professionals in the industry. Throughout his career, he was a gracious steward of Nashville’s culture as the city transitioned and expanded into becoming a world-renowned entertainment center.

Roger Sovine was the four-time president of the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy. He served as the president and the chairman of the board of the Country Music Association. He was chairman of the Copyright Society of the South. He was a trustee of the Country Music Foundation/Hall of Fame and a national trustee of NARAS. He was a commissioner of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission. He was executive vice president of R.O.P.E. (the Reunion of Professional Entertainers) and an organizer of Leadership Music.

His public service also included becoming an executive committee member of of the T.J. Martel Foundation of Cancer, Leukemia and AIDS research. He held similar volunteer leadership roles at MusiCares and at the United Way of Middle Tennessee.

Roger Sovine retired from BMI in 2001 and moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama. In retirement, he enjoyed fishing, golf, travel and playing guitar with his grandchildren. Back in Music City, he became an advocate and supporter of the Nashville Classical West Charter School.

He passed away peacefully at Alive Hospice on Dec. 23, surrounded by his loving family. Roger Sovine is survived by Shirley Sovine, his wife of 62 years, as well as by son Jim Sovine and daughter Amy Sovine, plus eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at BMI (10 Music Square East) with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Alive Hospice (1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203). Also, an arts endowment will be established in Roger’s honor at the Nashville Classical West Charter School (Sovine Endowment: 1015 Davidson Drive, Nashville, TN 37205).

Robert K Oermann
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