Celebration Of Life Set For Donnie Fritts

/by

Donnie Fritts. Credit: Allister Ann

[Updated, Sept. 26]: A celebration of life for late musician/actor/songwriter Donnie Fritts has been set for Oct. 3, 2019 at Norton Auditorium in Florence, Alabama. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the event will begin at 7 p.m. No RSVP is required.

[Original post, Aug. 28, 2019]: Legendary Muscle Shoals musician, songwriter and actor Donnie Fritts passed away on Tuesday (Aug. 27). Born in Florence, Alabama on Nov. 8, 1942, Fritts died at the age of 76 after a lengthy battle with health issues.

The keyboard player for Kris Kristofferson for more than 20 years, Fritts had roles in a number of films, including Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid and Convoy, as well as the 1976 version of A Star Is Born. His most recent on-screen role was in the 2012 film Jayne Mansfield’s Car, written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton.

Fritts was also a well-known songwriter and had songs were recorded by artists including Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Ray Charles and Dusty Springfield, among others. Among his iconic songs were “We Had it All,” “Breakfast In Bed” and “You’re Gonna Love Yourself In The Morning.”

Fritts released his first album, Prone To Lean, in 1974. His second project, 1998’s Everybody’s Got A Song, featured guest appearances by Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham, Waylon Jennings, Delbert McClinton, Tony Joe White, Leroy Parnell and John Prine. In 2008, Fritts released his third and final album, One Foot in the Groove.

The Alabama native was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2008.

Memorial services for Fritts have not yet been announced.

Animal Activist And Humanitarian Phran Galante Dies At 64

/by

Phran Galante. Photo: Courtesy Galante Family

Phran Rachel Galante, 64, of Nashville, TN, passed away today (Sept. 23) after a hard-fought battle with lung cancer over the last several years.

Born June 5, 1955 in New York City, Phran’s early years were filled with her love of animals—especially horses—theater, swimming, dance and tennis. The child of an Army physician, she moved around the country and even to Japan with her parents and siblings.

A dream of working on Broadway took Phran back to New York in 1981, where she landed a temp job at Chrysalis Records. In 1983, at the suggestion of her boss, she pursued and interviewed for a job at RCA Nashville, where she met her husband, Joe Galante. The two would marry in 1990.

In 1989, she left RCA to become part of the original team that built and launched Arista Records. With a talent for marketing, she designed, orchestrated and executed music marketing plans for a variety of artists and projects throughout her record label career. She also produced music videos for such artists as Alabama, K.T. Oslin, Ronnie Milsap and Alan Jackson.

Returning to Nashville in the early 1990s with her husband, Phran turned her time and efforts toward the community she loved and called home. She volunteered to rescue animals, was on the board of directors for TPAC, and worked at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. She was a founding member of United Partnerships in Animal Welfare, a community-based group sanctioned by the city of Nashville, working to reduce the very high rate of euthanasia in Music City’s animal shelters.

In 2018, she was honored with the Pet Community Center’s Jourdan Parenteau Excellence in Service Award for her 20+ years of leadership in animal welfare. Accepting the award, she said, “Animals can’t speak for themselves, so we must do it for them.”

Phran was also passionate about the work being done by the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, using her record industry contacts to bring music into the facility to brighten children’s days. She raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through her work on the annual Music City Tennis Invitational, helping the event become a cornerstone of the hospital’s funding efforts. In 2017, while serving as honorary co-chair, she was recognized by the event with the MCTI Outstanding Service Award and the MCTI Sportsmanship Award (receiving the latter for a second time) for her many years of service as co-chair, silent auction chair and tournament player.

Almost immediately upon receiving her own diagnosis, Phran began helping friends and even strangers who were beginning their own journey with cancer, lending an ear, offering support and spending time with them. She went on-camera, sharing her voice and personal experience with the public on behalf of the T.J. Martell Foundation and its work to fund cancer research. “As each day goes by, we get closer and closer to a cure,” she said with conviction, giving hope to others through her own determination and fight to keep the disease at bay.

Phran is survived by her husband Joe, sister Debbie Linn, brothers Pete and Myke Schwartz, parents Marvin and Claire Schwartz, and her beloved pets Lexie and Fergie. Phran’s family thanks doctors Bal, Karlekar, Lovly and Meluch along with the nurses at Tennessee Oncology, Sarah Cannon, and the staff at Alive Hospice for the care they provided to Phran.

A celebration of Phran’s life will be held on October 23 at Congregation Micah in Brentwood, Tenn.; further details will be forthcoming. The family asks that anyone wishing to honor her memory consider a donation to the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Phran Galante Memorial Fund for Lung Cancer Research or the Pet Community Center in memory of Phran.

Beloved Country Music Journalist Chuck Dauphin Passes

/by

Chuck Dauphin. Photo credit: Jamie Schramm/CMA

Beloved Nashville country music industry journalist and Dickson resident Chuck Dauphin passed away Wednesday evening (Sept. 18) at 6:47 p.m., following a series of complications from diabetes. He was 45.

As a radio broadcaster, record promoter and journalist, he has spent the past 25 years sharing his passion for country music and carrying a torch for all of its artists, songwriters and industry members.

With over 1,000 articles published in various magazines and newspapers, including Roughstock, At Home Tennessee, Sounds Like Nashville and Billboard among many others, he will always be known for his integrity, preparation, creativity and passion for country music. His peers and close friends will also remember him for his quiet wit and unwavering support of others.

As one of the most well-respected journalists within the industry, the veteran radio and music journalist was presented with the 2014 CMA Media Achievement Award on the night of the “The 48th Annual CMA Awards.”

Dauphin launched his career as a professional radio host in 1991 during his junior year in high school, when he earned his first job in the music business at WDKN in Dickson, Tennessee. He worked there for 18 years, rose to program director and was known to everyone in Dickson County by his on-air personality, “Crazy Chucky.” He enjoyed a flourishing radio career with stops at WNKX in Centerville, Tenn., Nashville’s WSM-AM, and he often appeared as a guest on Sirius XM’s country channels.

He is survived by his father Charles F. Dauphin, Jr., his stepmother, Marcia Dauphin of Savanna, Ill., a stepson Zach Heath of Kentucky, stepdaughter Isabella Heath of Pennsylvania, stepbrother Lyle Klein (Dee Dee) of Carthage, Ill., a stepsister, Deanna Deal (Eric) of Freeport, Ill., an uncle Burt Dauphin of Savanna, Ill., two aunts, Diana Chaplin of Baileyville, Ill. and Gloria Roberts of Freeport, Ill. and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother, his grandparents Ernest and Pauline Clymer, Charles and Edna Dauphin, two uncles Jim Chaplin and Del Roberts, an aunt Peg Dauphin and a cousin, Douglas Harbers, and many beloved pet dogs and cats, including Lassie, Brownie and Chloe.

Chuck Dauphin Public Funeral and Visitation  
Saturday, September 21, 2019

5:00 – 8:00 PM Visitation

Taylor Funeral Home
214 North Main St.
Dickson, TN 37055
Phone: 615-446-2808

Sunday, September 22, 2019

1:00 – 3:00 PM Visitation
3:00 PM Celebration of Life
A reception will follow Chuck’s Celebration of Life at Burns Church of Christ.Burns Church of Christ 
2718 Church St.
Burns, TN  37029
Phone: 615-441-3984

 

Nashville Artist Manager, Agent, Talent Promoter Alton “Al” Embry Dies

/by

Alton “Al” Embry, long-time manager, agent and talent promoter known for working with artists including Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, The Statler Brothers, Alabama, and Merle Haggard, died Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, at his Old Hickory, Tennessee, home at 82 of natural causes.

Born in Butler County, Kentucky on Aug. 19, 1937, Embry began his career in the music business in the ’60s working as a liaison in securing entertainment industry photo coverage opportunities for the popular national publication, Look Magazine. Embry’s interaction with artists led him to meet music sensation of the day, Jerry Lee Lewis in the mid-60s. That meeting turned into what would become a decades-long working relationship. Traveling the world with Lewis, he would meet virtually all the top name performers of the era across the platforms of Rock & Roll, Rockabilly, R & B, and Country, many of whom would subsequently become his clients in the years to come.

Beginning his career as a talent booking agent in Nashville with the Hubert Long International Agency on Music Row, he ultimately rose to become Vice President, handling the careers of the agency’s roster of major country artists including George Jones, Tammy Wynette, The Statler Brothers, and Merle Haggard.

In 1975, Embry decided to chart his own independent course in Nashville with the launch of Al Embry International. He began booking a startup band Wild Country shortly after launching the agency and that group went on to become known as the multi-award-winning mega-group Alabama. Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, and Chubby Checker were among his top artist clients.

Embry dove into the television side of the business and executive produced the Fats Domino and Friends HBO special, which was a first Cinemax session, with guests Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones, and Paul Shaffer. This specific show won Embry his first Cable ACE award. Booking the “Fight Night for Children” concert series, Al Embry’s production abilities produced successful events for a long list of top mainstream and country names such as the Charlie Daniels Band, Joan Jett, Lenny Kravitz and Grand Funk Railroad.

Embry is survived by his wife of 34 years Tracy Embry, sister Brenda (Dale) Stanley, sister Veneda (Richard) Pickard, brother JR “Audley” (Natalie) Embry, sister Vickylynn Martinez, sister-in-law LaNora Gaylord, son Wayne (Kathryn) Embry, son Tony (Deborah) Embry, daughter Tammy (Ronnie) Fie, grandson JR Embry, grandson Michael Embry, grandson Scott Embry (Vantha), granddaughter Akeysha Embry, great grandson DJ Devilla, great granddaughter Caitlin Embry, great grandson Andy Embry, and great granddaughter Ellie Embry.

 

Acoustic Music Kingpin Keith Case Passes

/by

Keith Case.

Longtime Nashville booking agent and artist manager Keith Case died Tuesday (Sept. 3) at age 79.

His Keith Case & Associates firm was arguably the most important booker of acoustic-music in the history of Music Row. At various times, Keith represented troubadours such as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, John Hartford, Mary Gauthier, Suzy Bogguss, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jesse Winchester, Billy Joe Shaver, Robert Earl Keen and Elizabeth Cook.

He also booked the bluegrass acts Blue Highway, The Seldom Scene, King Wilkie, Peter Rowan, Tony Rice, Sierra Hull, The Steeldrivers, The Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Steep Canyon Rangers and Ralph Stanley; acoustic experimentalists David Bromberg and Dan Tyminski; gospel legends The Fairfield Four and a number of other roots, Americana and folk artists.

He was a key figure in developing the career of Alison Krauss & Union Station.

Case has also been associated with Matraca Berg, Mike Ferris, Rhonda Vincent, Pete Wernick, Hot Rize, Tim & Mollie O’Brien, The Del McCoury Band, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Jeannie Kendall, Ronnie Bowman, The Greencards, Gurf Morlix and Slaid Cleaves.

Many of Case’s clients were in the soundtrack cast of O Brother Where Art Thou, which was the Grammy Album of the Year in 2000.

Keith Case began his career as a booking agent in Denver. He moved to Nashville in 1982 and formed his own company two years later. Case was a founding member of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA), as well as an important figure in the Folk Alliance organization. He was also a mentor to Denise Stiff, the longtime manager of Krauss, Tyminski and Sarah Jarosz.

When he retired, Keith Case & Associates was renamed KCA Artists. He helped his company’s operations move to The Cumberland Music Collective, which is the agency run by Case’s former vice president Lee Olsen.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Gospel Great Jerry Goff Passes

/by

Jerry Goff and Jan Buckner Goff. Photo: BSA

Jerry Goff, the 84-year old founder and leader of the Southern-gospel act The Singing Goffs will be buried in Nashville tomorrow (Tuesday, July 23).

Known as “Mr. Gospel Trumpet,” Goff was a preacher, an author, a TV personality, a singer, an emcee and a songwriter, as well as an instrumentalist.

The Singing Goffs had several hits in their genre, including “I’ll See You in the Rapture,” “Please Search the Book Again,” “Tear Stains in the Sand,” “Who Do I Know In Heaven?” and “I Am Blessed.”

Jerry Goff was a co-founder and lifetime board member of the Gospel Music Association. In 2002, he was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Pigeon Forge, TN.

The Singing Goffs won a GMA Dove Award in 1970, and were chosen to represent the USA at the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1984.

With Jerry Goff at its helm, the group released more than 25 albums between 1970 and 1990. In its various lineups, the Goffs recorded for Majestic Music, Lighthouse, CAM, Songs of Faith and Skylite Records.

Goff was the son of a Church of God preacher who was born in South Carolina. After attending Lee College in Cleveland, TN, he sang several gospel groups, including The LeFevres.

He rose to prominence in 1967-71, when he was a member of The Thrasher Brothers troupe. He formed The Singing Goffs in 1971, and the act began recording immediately.

The group’s live albums of 1973 and 1984 are particularly well regarded. So is its late-career collection, Don’t Give Up of 1986.

By the 1980s, the group was one of the most sought after on the Southern-gospel circuit. Goff was named Male Vocalist of the Year in 1984 by Gospel Music News.

During his career, Goff earned a B.A. from the University of Tennessee, a masters degree from Vanderbilt University and a doctorate certificate from Emmanuel Baptist University.

He wrote most of the songs that the Goffs popularized. A number of notable vocalists passed through the group’s ranks, including Bill Dykes, Dave Rowland, Barry Hess, Wally Goff, Dave Thomas, Tank Tackett and Gary Valentine.

In addition to the tunes listed above, the group was associated with “God’s Gonna Getcha For That,” “Guilty,” “His Name Lives On,” “When My Name Is Called in Glory,” “Jesus Will Never Say No,” “Tears Will Stop,” “The Tree God Grew” and “Tucked in With Jesus.” His trumpet playing was always a highlight of the group’s performances.

Jerry Goff married “Little” Jan Buckner of the Southern-gospel group Wendy Bagwell & The Sunlighters, and in later years, Jerry and Jan performed together. She survives her husband.

Following the group’s dissolution, Goff became an in-demand evangelist, show emcee, revival leader and entertainer on the “Singing at Sea” cruises. He and Jan co-hosted the Creekside Gospel Music Conventions in East Tennessee for several years. He was also a familiar figure at the annual National Quartet Convention.

A songwriter since childhood, Goff also published several inspirational books and poems.

A resident of Hiram, GA, Jerry Goff died in Atlanta on July 12. His initial funeral service was held in Powder Springs, GA on July 20. The Goff family will hold a graveside service on Tuesday (7/23) at 2 P.M. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville.

In addition to Jan Buckner Goff, he is survived by brothers Wally and Don Goff, by children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces.

Song Master Russell Smith Passes

/by

Acclaimed Nashville singer-songwriter Russell Smith, 70, died Friday, July 12, due to complications from cancer.

As the leader of The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Smith wrote and sang “Third Rate Romance” and “Amazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song),” which both became big hits in 1975.

The Aces won a Grammy Award in 1976 with Smith’s “The End Is Not In Sight.” The singer-songwriter re-emerged as a solo artist with five charted country singles in 1984-89.

He also became known on Music Row as a hit songwriter for others. Smith wrote or co-wrote “Big Ole Brew” (No. 1 Mel McDaniel, 1982), “Heartbeat In the Darkness” (No. 1 Don Williams, 1986), “Don’t Go To Strangers” (No. 1 T. Graham Brown, 1987) and “Keep It Between the Lines” (No. 1 Ricky Van Shelton, 1991).

Russell Smith had a fourth incarnation as a member of the 1990s country novelty group Run C&W.

The singer-songwriter was born in Nashville in 1949 and grew up in Lafayette, TN. He graduated from Macon County High School and retained his ties to his alma mater throughout his life.

He formed a group called Fatback in Knoxville in the 1960s. This evolved into The Amazing Rhythm Aces in Memphis in 1972. The group issued Stacked Deck as its debut LP in 1975. “Third Rate Romance” emerged from the collection as the group’s breakthrough single. The song has gone on to become a minor country classic.

Sammy Kershaw revived it as a major hit in 1994, and it has also been recorded by Rosanne Cash, Elvis Costello, The Earl Scruggs Revue, Jesse Winchester, The Starland Vocal Band, The Drifters, The Fabulous Poodles and Roger Chapman, among others.

Too Stuffed To Jump was issued in 1976. This yielded the Grammy Award winning “The End Is Not In Sight.” The group began to acquire a cult following, which increased with 1977’s Toucan Do It Too.

The Amazing Rhythm Aces appeared on Saturday Night Live, Austin City Limits and other national TV shows. The group’s distinctive fusion of soul, rock and country styles plus Smith’s gritty, earthy singing voice gave it widespread appeal beyond country’s borders. The band toured with Jimmy Buffett, The Eagles, and other pop stars.

At the same time, Smith’s songs were recorded by an increasingly wide range of artists. Tanya Tucker brought his “Dancing the Night Away” onto the country hit parade in 1977, and the song has also been covered by Crystal Gayle, Leo Sayer, The Oak Ridge Boys and Johnny Lee, among others.

The Aces switched from recording in Memphis to making its records on Music Row with 1978’s Burning the Ballroom Down. This collection contained “Ashes of Love” as the act’s next country single.

Smith and his group went to Muscle Shoals to record 1979’s Amazing Rhythm Aces, which contained “Lipstick Traces” as its country chart entry. The band moved from ABC Records to Warner Bros. for 1980’s How the Hell Do You Spell Rythum. It contained “I Musta Died and Gone to Texas,” as well as its version of “Big Ole Brew.”

The band broke up in 1981, but Smith’s success as a country songwriter continued. In addition to the hits listed above, he penned 1989’s “Honky Tonk Heart” for Highway 101, 1985’s “Old School” for John Conlee and 1993’s “Do You Know Where Your Man Is” for Pam Tillis.

Others who sang his tunes included John Anderson, Etta James, New Grass Revival, Lee Greenwood, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Shelby Lynne, George Jones, Kenny Rogers, Cleve Francis, Travis Tritt, Kathy Mattea, Ronnie McDowell, Kix Brooks, Barbara Mandrell, Ricochet, Chely Wright, Andy Griggs and The Kendalls.

Smith persevered as a solo recording artist with the albums Russell Smith (1982), The Boy Next Door (1984), This Little Town (1989) and The End Is Not In Sight (2001).

He teamed with Bernie Leadon, Jim Photoglo and Vince Melamed to form the wacky act Run C&W. Signed to MCA, the band issued its Into the Twangy-First Century (1993) and Row Vs. Wade (1995) albums. They showcased its bluegrass-y arrangements of classic r&b songs, plus parodies such as “Itchy Twitchy Spot.”

Despite the legendary group’s hiatus, demand for The Amazing Rhythm Aces continued to grow, particularly in Europe and Australia. The band reconvened for Ride Again (1995), Out of the Blue (1996), Chock Full of Country Goodness (1999) and Nothin’ But the Blues (2003).

Russell Smith died at the Williamson County Medical Center In Franklin, TN on Friday. He is survived by sons Jesse Lee Smith and Matthew Miles Smith, by sister Cathy Smith Kemp, by grandson Hunter Smith and granddaughter Genevieve Smith.

Visitation with the family will take place on Wednesday, July 17, at Alexander Funeral Home in Lafayette, TN from noon to 2 p.m. with the funeral to follow. He will then be interred at the Testament Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Macon County Marching Tigers Band.

The Glaser Brothers’ Chuck Glaser Dies At 83

/by

Chuck Glaser. Photo: Bruce Glaser/ Courtesy Louie Glaser

Chuck Glaser, the last surviving member of country group The Glaser Brothers, died Monday (June 10). He was 83.

Glaser who began his career as a member of the award winning trio, Tompall & The Glaser Brothers, was known as an accomplished artist, producer, and businessman.

Born Charles Vernon Glaser in Spalding, Nebraska, in the winter of 1936 to Louis and Marie Glaser, Chuck spent his early years helping his father manage the family’s 1,200-acre farm northeast of Spalding. During his teenage years, Chuck joined his brothers, Tompall and Jim, as master of ceremonies announcing songs and telling jokes as the teens played talent shows and fairs around Nebraska. Later that year Chuck began singing with his brothers.

The brothers’ break into professional show business came in 1957 when they won the Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Show. Their father arranged an audition in Grand Island, and Marty Robbins signed The Glaser Brothers to his roadshow and to his label, Robbins Records.  The Glaser Brothers released their first single in 1958 singing, “Five Penny Nickel,” a song Chuck penned.

In 1959 Decca Records purchased the boys’ recording contract from Robbins and producer Owen Bradley began producing their records. Chuck was drafted into the United States Army in 1959, serving his country until 1961. Joe Babcock, a childhood friend from Nebraska, filled in for Chuck while he was away. After his discharge Chuck returned to the group and the brothers officially joined the Grand Ole Opry, having performed on the show since their arrival to Nashville in 1958.

During this time The Glaser Brothers were in demand as background singers for recording sessions around Nashville. They can be heard on several of Robbins’ records, including “She Was Only Seventeen.” They toured with Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline and can be heard on Cash’s 1962 The Sound Of Johnny Cash, as well as “Ring Of Fire.” Among their sessions are Roy Orbison’s “Leah” and Claude King’s “The Comancheros.” They also worked with other artists including George Jones and many of Hank Snow’s singles before going on their own in the 1960s.

Signing with MGM Records in 1967, and employing Jack Clement as their producer, brought chart success with songs like “Gone, on the Other Hand,” “California Girl (and the Tennessee Square)” and “The Moods of Mary.”  The Glaser Brothers’ cover of the Cymarron pop hit “Rings” reached No. 7 on the Billboard charts (No. 1 on Cashbox and Record World) in 1971. In 1982 their Elektra Records release of the Kris Kristofferson song “Loving Her was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” stayed for two weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.

Chuck and his brothers earned numerous awards during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, including CMA Vocal Group of the Year (1970), Country Group of the Decade by Record World Magazine (1975), Country Music Group of the Year by Billboard Magazine (1972), International Group of the Year by Record Mirror and Billboard Magazine (1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973), fan voted Music City News Country Music Awards Top Vocal Group (1967-1970), among others. The group ceased performing together in 1973 but reunited again for a short time in 1979.

Chuck was also a successful songwriter. Hank Snow recorded many of Chuck’s songs including “That’s You and Me,” ” I’m Not at All Sorry for You” and “Where Has All the Love Gone” (later recorded by Susanne Lane with new lyrics and title “Søde Sommerminder” in 1972, staying over 40 weeks at No. 1 in Denmark). Johnny Cash recorded “You Won’t Have Far to Go” for his 1962 The Sounds of Johnny Cash album. Anita Carter of the Carter Family recorded Chuck’s 1963 song “Fly, Pretty Swallow.”

Along with brothers Jim and Tompall, Chuck owned and operated Glaser Sound Studios in Nashville, where Kinky Friedman, John Hartford, Jimmy Payne and assorted other artists got their start. Friedman recorded his groundbreaking Sold American album at the studio—known during the Outlaw days as Hillbilly Central—and Jennings recorded his classic “Dreaming My Dreams” there with Cowboy Jack Clement. Another groundbreaking album recorded at the studio was Hartford’s bluegrass album Aero-Plane.

Chuck is credited with discovering many songwriters over the years, including John Hartford, Jimmy Payne, Kinky Friedman, Buddy Starcher, and Willis D. Hoover. Chuck booked many of these artists for his Outlaw Music Festival shows.

Chuck ran the Glaser Brothers’ publishing companies Glaser Publications, Glaco Publications and Glaser Brothers Music which had in its catalogue hits including “Gentle On My Mind,” “Woman, Woman,” “Sitting in an All Night Cafe,” “Streets of Baltimore,” “A Girl Like You,” “History Repeats Itself” and “Where Has All the Love Gone.”

The Glaser Brothers ceased performing from 1974 to 1979, citing creative differences. During this time Chuck opened Nova Agency, a talent and booking agency. Chuck’s booking roster included Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, George Jones, Tompall Glaser, Dr. Hook, Jerry Lee Lewis, Gamble Rogers, Jerry Reed, Amazing Rhythm Aces and David Allan Coe, among others.

Suffering a stroke in 1974, it took Chuck many years to reclaim his singing voice. He rejoined his brothers in 1979 releasing two albums in the 1980s produced by Jimmy Bowen on Elektra Records, Lovin’ Her Was Easier and After All of These Years being awarded Billboard’s Artist Resurgence Award in 1982.

In 1990 The Glaser Brothers performed one last time, appearing on the Grand Ole Opry for Hank Snow’s 40th Anniversary. After the group’s final break up, Chuck returned to producing records. He produced albums for Hank Snow, Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely. Chuck was also involved in the syndicated music variety show Rocky Mountain Inn.

Later in life, Chuck’s professional passion focused on bringing George Bowers’ song and story of Christopher the Christmas Tree to children everywhere. Chuck discovered Bowers, an owner of a Christmas tree farm and later founded a record label, Hidden Hollow Records, to release the song and the album of Christopher’s story. He worked endlessly to have the story reach as many children as possible culminating in an animated children’s Christmas television show which was nominated in 1995 for the Gemini Award (Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television), for the Best Animated Program or Series. The story and music of Christopher the Christmas Tree first aired on television on December 24th, 1994, on the FOX TV Network (USA) and has subsequently been shown in over 94 countries and has been translated into nine languages.

Another one of Chuck’s dreams was realized in 2016 when he independently released his solo album That’s When I Love You The Most.

The family has yet to announce funeral arrangements.

Granger Smith’s 3-Year-Old Son River Dies

/by

Granger Smith

Condolences to Granger Smith and his family, who revealed today (June 6) the loss of their youngest son, three-year-old River Kelly Smith, due to an accident.

Granger and wife Amber are also parents to River’s older siblings, London (7) and Lincoln (5).

Smith shared the following in a message to fans:

I have to deliver unthinkable news. We’ve lost our youngest son, River Kelly Smith. Following a tragic accident, and despite doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived. Amber and I made the decision to say our last goodbyes and donate his organs so that other children will be given a second chance at life. Our family is devastated and heartbroken, but we take solace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father. Riv was special. Everyone that met him knew that immediately. The joy he brought to our lives cannot be expressed and his light will be forever in our hearts. If there are words to say more, I cannot find them in this moment. Love the ones close to you. There has never been a more difficult moment for us than this.

Granger’s wife Amber echoed the news on her social account, saying “Nothing can prepare a mother to deliver this kind of news.”

“In lieu of flowers or gifts,” the couple requested that those wanting to give to “please send donations to Dell Children’s Medical Center in River’s name. The doctors, nurses and staff have been incredible.”

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I have to deliver unthinkable news. We’ve lost our youngest son, River Kelly Smith. Following a tragic accident, and despite doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived. Amber and I made the decision to say our last goodbyes and donate his organs so that other children will be given a second chance at life. Our family is devastated and heartbroken, but we take solace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father. Riv was special. Everyone that met him knew that immediately. The joy he brought to our lives cannot be expressed and his light will be forever in our hearts. If there are words to say more, I cannot find them in this moment. Love the ones close to you. There has never been a more difficult moment for us than this. . . In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send donations to Dell Children’s Medical Center in River’s name. The doctors, nurses and staff have been incredible.

A post shared by Granger Smith (@grangersmith) on

 

Beloved Music Row Ambassador Ralph Murphy Passes

/by

Ralph Murphy. Photo: Canadian Country Music Association

Songwriter, publisher, artist, producer and Music Row ambassador Ralph Murphy died Tuesday (May 28) following a brief illness.

Murphy, 75, is a member of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. He was a longtime ASCAP Nashville executive. At various times, he was also a president at NSAI, the head of the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy and a national NARAS trustee.

As a songwriter, he has had major hits with Ronnie Milsap, Jeannie C. Riley, Crystal Gayle and a number of pop and rock acts. Others who have recorded his songs include Randy Travis, Shania Twain, Don Williams, Ray Price and Lynn Anderson.

Ralph Murphy was born in England and educated in Canada from the age of 6. He began performing and writing songs at age 14. After experiencing the music business in Los Angeles and New York, he moved to London at age 19. He became a recording artist and signed as a songwriter with Mills Music in 1965.

He began having British pop hits as a songwriter in 1966 via such artists as Billy Fury, Vanity Fare and James Royal. He also continued to record as a member of various pop groups.

Murphy migrated to New York in 1969 and then began producing million-selling records for such top Canadian rock groups as April Wine and Mashmakhan in Toronto.

In 1971, Jeannie C. Riley scored a top-10 country hit with Murphy’s song “Good Enough to Be Your Wife.” Charmed by Nashville during his subsequent visits, Murphy moved to Music City in 1978. He formed Picalic Publishing with British-born hit songwriter Roger Cook.

Among the company’s many successful songs were Cook’s “Talking in Your Sleep” and Murphy’s “Half the Way,” both chart-topping hits by Crystal Gayle in 1978-79. Murphy also co-wrote the No. 1 Ronnie Milsap 1982 smash “He Got You.”

Another of his best-remembered songs is “Seeds.” Co-written with Pat Alger, it appeared on Kathy Mattea’s 1992 CD. In 2006, Cliff Richard had a British hit with “A 21st Century Christmas,” co-written by Murphy with Paul Brady.

Ralph Murphy joined the executive team in ASCAP’s Nashville office 25 years ago. He was the organization’s Vice President of International Membership. As such, he became not only one of Music Row’s most visible and liked denizens, but also an ambassador of Nashville’s scene all over the world.

Generous with his time and advice, Murphy was known for his “open door” attitude, making him a welcoming figure of encouragement and support for fledgling songwriters. He became a mentor to many. As another assist to aspiring writers, he wrote Murphy’s Laws of Songwriting: How To Write Hit Songs. The book remains available online.

Ralph Murphy and Lyle Lovett attend the 50th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel on October 29, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for ASCAP

International music businessman John Lomax III commented that it was poignant that Murphy died just prior to the annual international MIDEM convention in Cannes, France. “So few here could move adroitly amid U.S., Canadian and all the major European music industries,” Lomax recalled. “He’d always say when you asked how he was, ‘all the better for seeing you.’”

Canadian music journalist Richard Flohil eulogized Murphy as “the songwriter’s heart and soul. “He leaves behind hundreds of friends who trusted his advice, laughed at his jokes, relished his company,” Flohil wrote yesterday. “He was, for songwriters, a beacon of hope, a fount of inspiration, a source of encouragement, a connector of people. “Songwriters everywhere have lost a hero, a friendly giant, and a friend.”

Ralph Murphy was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Last month, SOCAN presented him with its Special Achievement Award. He won the CMA’s Jo Walker-Meador International Achievement Award in 2011.

In recent years, Ralph Murphy has had health problems. But he continued his good-will visits to Sydney, London, Dublin, Toronto, Berlin and other international music centers. Following a visit to Toronto earlier this month, he contracted pneumonia. This led to his death.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams said, “Ralph Murphy was a giant in music. For more than five decades and across several continents, his bountiful gifts as a songwriter, performer, musician, producer, author, educator and music advocate touched millions of people around the world. As a longtime member of the ASCAP family, he was a relentless champion of ASCAP’s mission to nurture each new generation of music creators to master their craft and fulfill their potential. He would often ask songwriters: “Have you told the whole story?” We’ll never know what stories Ralph had left to tell. But we do know that his legacy will enrich the lives of music creators for years to come. To some of us he was simply ‘Da Murph,’ a title that seems to best describe a true gentleman, world traveler and remarkable friend.”

ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews said,  “Ralph always fought for what was best for all songwriters and I will miss his unique perspective and incredibly valuable insights. Ralph was a loyal ambassador for songwriters whose heart was always in the right place. All of us at ASCAP have lost a great friend and one of our best advocates.  We will miss his story telling, his humor and the warmth and love he shared with so many.”