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.”

 

Songwriter/Producer Dan Mitchell Passes

/by

Dan Mitchell. Photo: danmitchellnashville.com

By Robert K. Oermann

Dan Mitchell, best known as the cowriter of “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)” passed away in Nashville last Wednesday (May 22).

Mitchell was a native of Warsaw, Ohio, who formed his first bands in high school. He initially achieved notoriety in Nashville in the 1970s. His songs were recorded by such Country Music Hall of Fame members as The Oak Ridge Boys, Mel Tillis, Connie Smith, Waylon Jennings, Roy Clark and George Jones.

His first top-10 hit as a songwriter was with Moe Bandy’s 1981 recording of “Rodeo Romeo.” Bandy scored again the following year with Mitchell’s “”Only If There Is Another You.”

Alabama’s 1984 No. 1 hit with “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas” has been certified for more than four million airplays by BMI. It also led to more than 30 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum awards for Mitchell.

He wrote and produced several charting singles for Mason Dixon, including “I Never Had a Chance With You” (1984), “Houston Heartache” (1985), “Home Grown” (1986) and “Don’t Say No Tonight” (1987). He also headed the band’s label, Premier One Records.

Mitchell was also the head of Little General Records. The label’s female trio Taylor Made won a MusicRow award in 2012. His label Verastar Records featured singer Marianne Allison in 2015. In 2013, he wrote and produced his son Jason Mitchell’s single “Stomp.” It became a featured song of the Pittsburgh Steelers at their home games.

Dan Mitchell wrote hundreds of other songs. In addition to those listed above, they were recorded by Jack Greene, Joe Stampley, David Houston, Diana Trask, Razzy Bailey, Sammi Smith, Jimmy C. Newman, Big Al Downing, Leona Williams, Leroy Van Dyke, Deborah Allen, Jeff Carson, Pinkard & Bowden, Atlanta, Orion and Narvel Felts, among many others.

He wrote and produced “The Last Outlaw” for Johnny Paycheck. Following the singer’s release from prison in 1991, Mitchell managed him. He also produced records for Southern Exposure, Cody McCarver, Cowboy Troy and Tiny Tim.

In addition to hit songs, he wrote national ad jingles for Toyota (“Miles of Smiles”) and for Miller Beer (“It’s Real”). He also sang and produced these radio and TV spots.

His jingles sung by others were for Dole Pineapple, Lucky Strike cigarettes, Bella Napoli, Roger’s Clothing for Men and Crossroads Mall.

In March, Dan Mitchell was honored by the North American Country Music Association with its Legendary Performer Songwriter Artist Award.

Top Country Songwriter Glenn Martin Dies

/by

By Robert K. Oermann

Glenn Martin. Photo: Brentwood Roesch-Patton Funeral Home

Friends and family will gather on Thursday (5/16) and Friday (5/17) to honor the memory of Nashville songwriter Glenn Martin.

The Grammy-nominated tunesmith died on Sunday, May 12, at age 86.

Martin wrote top hits for such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Merle Haggard, Charley Pride, Bill Anderson and George Jones. Among his best-known songs are Pride’s “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” (1970), Haggard’s “It’s Not Love (But It’s Not Bad)” (1972) and Tammy Wynette’s “I Still Believe in Fairy Tales” (1975).

During his career, Martin had more than 200 cuts. He was also a song publisher. In addition, Glenn Martin is the father of hit country writers Tony Martin (“No Place That Far,” “Third Rock From the Sun,” “Just to See You Smile,” “You Look Good in My Shirt,” etc.) and Troy Martin (“Baby’s Gotten Good at Goodbye,” “She Can’t Say I Didn’t Cry,” “Not on Your Love,” etc.).

Glenn Martin was born in Cumming, GA on June 30, 1932 and was raised in Atlanta. He joined the U.S. Air Force after his high school graduation and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.

Following his military service, Martin worked for Bell South. Next, he opened his own furniture and music stores. Weekly jamborees at the music emporium put him in contact with Nashville musicians and songwriters. They urged him to move to Music City.

Glenn Martin’s first songwriting successes occurred in 1969 when Ray Price recorded “April’s Fool” and Bobby Bare released “Which One Will It Be.” Both songs became top-20 country hits.

He scored his first No. 1 hit with the Grammy-nominated “San Antone” in 1970, and Pride returned to Martin’s catalog for “I’m Just Me” which became a No. 1 hit in 1971.

Haggard brought the songwriter back to the top of the charts again in 1972 with “It’s Not Love.” In 1974, Red Sovine scored a hit with “It’ll Come Back.” This song was revived on the charts by Sovine in 1980.

The songwriter’s heyday was in the 1970s. Among the artists who recorded Martin’s tunes were such Hall of Fame members as Buck Owens, Jean Shepard, Charlie McCoy, Eddy Arnold, Don Gibson, Emmylou Harris, Ernest Tubb and Mel Tillis.

In the latter part of his most successful decade, Martin had hits with “Memories of Us” (George Jones, 1975), “Fairy Tales” (Wynette, 1975), “Liars One Believers Zero” (Bill Anderson, 1976), “The Pay Phone” (Bob Luman, 1977) and “Where Are You Going, Billy Boy” (Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner, 1977).

Haggard’s big 1977 country hit with Martin’s co-written “If We’re Not Back in Love By Monday” also became an r&b smash for Millie Jackson that year as “If You’re Not Back in Love By Monday.”

Others who recorded his tunes include Wanda Jackson, Cal Smith, Norma Jean, Neal McCoy, Donna Fargo, Keith Whitley, Jack Greene, Freddy Fender, Ed Bruce and Moe Bandy.

Glenn Martin was one of the 1970 co-founders of the NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International), which initially lobbied to get songwriters’ credits on recordings. The organization continues to lobby for songwriters’ interests today. He was also regarded as a mentor by many younger Music City songwriters.

Martin is survived by his wife, Teresa and his eight children. In addition to songwriters Tony and Troy, these are K. Trent Martin, J. Trace Martin, Todd C. Martin, Tiffany K. Earl, Tim C. Martin and Tiffany M, Tournaud. He is also survived by his sister Eleanor Marguerite Brown, by 34 grandchildren and by 16 great grandchildren.

The first Gathering of Friends and Family will take place on Thursday afternoon, May 16, 4-8 p.m. at Brentwood Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 9010 Church Street, Brentwood, TN 37027.

The second Gathering of Friends and Family is scheduled for Friday, May 17, 10-11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1646 Sunset Rd., Brentwood, TN 37027. The church will then host a Celebration of Life service from 11-noon.

Country Singer-Songwriter Earl Thomas Conley Dies

/by

Earl Thomas Conley

Acclaimed country singer-songwriter Earl Thomas Conley passed away today (April 10). He was 77.

Conley had 18 No. 1 hits in the 1980s and 1990s, including “Holding Her and Loving You,” “Nobody Falls Like a Fool,” “What I’d Say” and “Once in a Blue Moon.” Conley set a record with his 1984 album, Don’t Make It Easy for Me, when he became the first artist in any genre to have four number one singles from the same album.

Born October 17, 1941, in Portsmouth, Ohio, Conley joined a Christian trio while in the Army. Once he was discharged, he worked a number of blue-collar jobs and played in Nashville clubs at night. Conley then moved to Huntsville, Alabama to work in a steel mill, where he met Nelson Larkin who got him a deal at the independent label GRT in 1974. Conley later signed to Warner Bros. in 1977 where he landed his first Top 40 single, “Dreamin’s All I Do.” He left the label in 1979, and went to Sunbird Records to work with Larkin again. Conley quickly scored a Top 10 hit with “Silent Treatment” and then his first of 18 No. 1 songs, “Fire and Smoke,” in 1981. RCA signed Conley shortly after.

At RCA, Conley had plenty of singles shoot up the charts including hits “Tell Me Why” and “Heavenly Bodies.”

By the end of the 1980s, Conley found a collaborator in bluegrass extraordinaire Earl Scruggs’ son, Randy Scruggs. He also worked closely with Keith Whitley, releasing a duet with him called “Brotherly Love,” which earned the two a CMA nomination after Whitley had passed.

Collaborator and friend, Blake Shelton, shared the news via Twitter. His caption reads: “My heart is absolutely destroyed today… I’m sad to report that Earl Thomas Conley passed away very early this morning. Earl was my all time favorite singer, hero and my friend. Prayers to his family. We will all miss you deeply my brother. Now go rest..”

Funeral announcements have not been released at press time.

Blake Shelton and Earl Thomas Conley. Photo: Twitter/@Blake Shelton

Tompall & The Glaser Brothers Member Jim Glaser Dies

/by

Jim Glaser

Jim Glaser, who began his career as a member of the award-winning trio Tompall & the Glaser Brothers, died at his home on Saturday (April 6). He was 81.

Born James William Glaser in Spalding, Nebraska, in 1937, Jim began playing guitar at age four and began performing at local shows with his brother Tompall as The Glaser Brothers.

In 1959, Marty Robbins signed The Glaser Brothers, which by then included their brother Chuck, to his Robbins Records label, which released their first single “Five Penny Nickel.” Decca Records later purchased their contract from Robbins and Owen Bradley produced their records. During those early years, they toured with Robbins, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline, among others, before going on their own in the early 1960s. In 1966, signing with MGM brought chart success on songs such as “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 1981, their Elektra Records release of the Kris Kristofferson song “Loving Her was Easier (Than Anything I’ll Ever Do Again)” reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts, staying there for two weeks.

The group ceased performing together in 1973, and reunited in 1979.

Jim earned a No. 1 hit as a solo artist with “You’re Gettin’ to Me Again” from his Man In The Mirror album (released on the Noble Vision record label). The album also notched the Top 20 song “When You’re Not a Lady” and the Top 10 hit “If I Could Only Dance With You.” Glaser earned the Academy of Country Music’s New Male Artist Award in 1983.

Jim was also a successful songwriter, including “Running Gun,” a hit for Marty Robbins, Skeeter Davis’ “What Does it Take,” Warner Mack’s “Sittin’ in an All Night Cafe,” Liz Anderson’s “Thanks A Lot For Tryin’ Anyway,” Bill Anderson’s “And I’m Still Missing You,” the Texas Tornados’ “Who Were You Thinking Of,” and “Woman, Woman” for Gary Puckett and the Union Gap.

Jim’s tenor voice can be heard on such hits as Marty Robbins “El Paso,” and, along with his brothers, on Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” as well as many others hit songs, including tunes by Hank Snow and John Anderson.

Along with brothers Chuck and Tompall, Glaser owned and operated Glaser Sound Studios, located at 916 19th Ave. S. in Nashville, where Kinky Friedman, John Hartford, Jimmy Payne and others recorded. Friedman recorded his Sold American album at the studio—known during the Outlaw days as “Hillbilly Central”—and Waylon Jennings recorded his classic Dreaming My Dreams there with producer Cowboy Jack Clement. Another album recorded at the studio was Hartford’s bluegrass album Aereo-Plane.

The brothers also ran Glaser Publications, which published such popular hits as “Gentle On My Mind,” “Woman, Woman,” “Sitting in an All Night Cafe,” “Streets of Baltimore” and “Where Has All the Love Gone,” helping many of their songwriters maintain control of their own creative works.

Jim’s brother Tompall Glaser died in 2013.

A private family memorial is being planned, according to a family spokesperson.

Nashville R&B Singer Jackie Shane Dead At 78

/by

Jackie Shane

By Robert K. Oermann

Jackie Shane, whose reissued soul sounds of the 1960s were nominated for a 2018 Grammy Award, passed away last week on Feb. 22 at age 78.

She was a pioneering transgender performer in the music scene of the 1950s and 1960s. She was born male, but identified as female throughout her life.

Shane began her career in Nashville nightspots and was a session drummer for Lillian Offitt on Excello Records. She also drummed with a trio on WVOL. At the New Era club, she backed Ted Jarrett, Big Maybelle, Little Willie John, Gatemouth Brown, Lattimore, Arthur Gunter, Eugene Church and other 1950s R&B stars booked into that Music City venue.

As a vocalist, she became a star in the clubs of Boston, Montreal, Los Angeles and, especially Toronto, her adopted hometown.

Jackie Shane recorded for Sue, Modern, Caravan, Stop, Paragon and other labels in 1960-69. Her singles included “Any Other Way,” “In My Tenement,” “Money,” “I’ve Really Got the Blues,” “You Are My Sunshine,” “Stand Up Straight and Tall,” “New Way of Lovin’” and “Cruel, Cruel World.” She also issued a 1967 live LP, recorded in Toronto. She returned to Music City to perform “Walking the Dog” on the Night Train TV series in 1965.

During her career, she shared shows with Etta James, The Impressions, Jackie Wison, Joe Tex, Bobby Hebb, Jimi Hendrix, T-Bone Walker, The Temptations, the O’Jays, and other soul headliners of the era. As studio percussionist in L.A., Shane backed Lowell Fulson and Joe Cocker.

On stage, Jackie Shane wore glamorous makeup and usually dressed in slack suits with frilly formal shirts. Her androgyny prefigured David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Prince and the like.

She vanished from show business in 1971, retiring to Nashville to care for her mother. After living in obscurity for decades, she was rediscovered, and her music was reissued as the two-CD boxed set Any Other Way. The 2017 compilation was nominated for a Best Historical Album Grammy Award.

She was also subject of CBC-TV documentary in Canada and is depicted on a 12-story high mural in Toronto.

Hall Of Fame Great Mac Wiseman Passes

/by

Mac Wiseman. Photo: Stacie Hukeba

HALL OF FAME GREAT MAC WISEMAN PASSES

By Robert K. Oermann

Mac Wiseman, a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, has passed away at age 93. He died Sunday, Feb. 24.

Known as “The Voice With a Heart,” Wiseman was a hit recording artist, a record-label executive, a radio host and a music-festival  impresario. He was one of the founders of the Country Music Association.

His hits included “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” “Jimmy Brown the Newsboy” and “Your Best Friend and Me.” He is also associated with such enduring favorites as “Tis Sweet to Be Remembered,” “Love Letters in the Sand,” “I Wonder How the Old Folks Are at Home,” “I’ll Still Write Your Name in the Sand” and “Shackles and Chains.”

During his long career he recorded with such diverse talents as Flatt & Scruggs, John Hartford, Merle Haggard, Bill Monroe, Woody Herman, Charlie Daniels, The Osborne Brothers, Johnny Cash and John Prine. He recorded for Dot, Capitol, MGM, RCA, CMH, Music Mill, Hilltop, Churchill, Starday and many other labels.

Born Malcolm B. Wiseman in 1925, he was raised in rural Virginia. He survived polio as an infant, and this affected his mobility later in life. Wiseman began playing guitar at age 12. His fluid work on the instrument and his clear, expressive tenor singing were the hallmarks of his performing style.

He started his career as a Virginia radio disc jockey in 1944. He joined Molly O’Day’s band two years later and played bass on her big hit “Tramp on the Street.”

In 1947, he was the host of WCYB radio’s Farm and Fun Time in Bristol, Virginia. He shared airtime there with country-music patriarch A.P. Carter of The Carter Family.

Wiseman then became a member of Flatt & Scruggs’ Foggy Mountain Boys. Bill Monroe hired him in 1949, and Wiseman sang lead on the star’s bluegrass standards “Travelin’ Down This Lonesome Road” and “Can’t You Hear Me Calling.”

Mac Wiseman next joined the Louisiana Hayride on KWKH in Shreveport. While there, he toured with the legendary Hank Williams. He then moved on to the Old Dominion Barn Dance in Richmond, Virginia in 1953.

Jo Walker-Meador inducts Mac Wiseman into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014. Photo: Donn Jones

By this time, he was leading his own band. He had signed with Dot Records in 1951 and had a top-10 hit in 1955 with “The Ballad of Davy Crockett,” the theme song of a Disney TV show. He served as Dot’s A&R executive in 1956-63, moving to Los Angeles and overseeing a roster that included such stars as Jimmy C. Newman, Reno & Smiley, Bonnie Guitar, Pat Boone and Leroy Van Dyke. While on the West Coast, Wiseman became a regular on TV’s Town Hall Party  and starred at The Mint in Las Vegas with The Stonemans as his backing band.

In 1958, Wiseman became one of the creators of the Country Music Association and was elected as the CMA’s first secretary. He was the youngest of the association’s organizers, and at the time of his death was the last living CMA founder.

Mac Wiseman’s Dot Records success as an artist continued with 1959’s “Jimmy Brown the Newsboy.” His next country hit came on Capitol Records in 1963. This was with the Hank Cochran song “Your Best Friend and Me.”

During the 1960s, Wiseman became popular on the collegiate folk-music circuit. He performed at The Newport Folk Festival, Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl and other prestigious venues.

In 1965, Mac Wiseman was hired as the manager of the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling, West Virginia. He moved to Nashville in 1968 and signed with RCA Records. The following year, he tasted chart success with the novelty tune “Johnny’s Cash and Charley’s Pride,” produced by Jack Clement. This became Wiseman’s last top-40 country hit.

He subsequently re-emphasized his bluegrass roots. Mac Wiseman ran his own bluegrass festival at Renfro Valley, Kentucky in 1970-83 and recorded most of his 50+ albums with bluegrass instrumentation.

Ronnie Milsap and Mac Wiseman celebrate their induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA

But in 1979, he returned to the country charts with a version of the pop oldie “My Blue Heaven,” recorded with jazz great Woody Herman. During the 1980s, Wiseman made albums with collaborators including Merle Travis, Doc Watson, Del McCoury and Brother Oswald.

In 1986, Wiseman was one of the founding members of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). He was the narrator of the 1992 film documentary High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music. He was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame the following year.

He was elected the president of R.O.P.E. (the Reunion of Professional Entertainers) in 1990 and remained so for the next four years. This organization’s goal is to build a retirement home for country entertainers in Music City. Beginning in 1997, Wiseman was also a four-term secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Musicians Local 257 on Music Row.

He was saluted with a career-overview, six-CD, boxed set in 2003. A second, four-CD set appeared in 2006. Both were issued by Germany’s Bear Family label.

Mac Wiseman and folk star John Prine joined forces for the acclaimed 2007 album Standard Songs for Average People. In 2008, Wiseman was given a National Heritage Fellowship award from the National Endowment for the Arts. His election to the Country Music Hall of Fame came in 2014.

This was the same year that he re-ignited his solo recording career with the homespun CD Songs From My Mother’s Hand. At age 90, he collaborated with writer Walt Trott on his 2015 autobiography All My Memories Fit to Print. His collaborations with Americana artists Peter Cooper and Thomm Jutz resulted in the 2017 album of newly composed material, I Sang the Songs. 

Wiseman has five children, including Randy, Sheila, Christine, Maxine, and Scott.

The public memorial service was held Wednesday (Feb. 27) at the Spring Hill Funeral Home in Madison, Tennessee.

Todd Milsap, Son Of Ronnie Milsap, Dies

/by

Joyce Milsap, Ronnie Milsap, and Todd Milsap. Photo: Ronnie Milsap

Todd Milsap, son of country entertainer Ronnie Milsap, has died. He passed Saturday (Feb. 23) on his houseboat at Four Corners Marina in Antioch, Tennessee. Todd Milsap was 49. According to Metro Nashville PD, the death appears to be medically related.

No funeral arrangements have been released at this time. Todd Milsap is the son of Ronnie and Joyce Milsap.

“Our son Todd was a force of joy, life, creativity and giving from the moment he was born,” says the six-time Grammy winner Ronnie Milsap. “He made such a mark on our world in his years on this planet, everyone who met him was richer for it. It is too soon to even understand this loss, and I hope it’s something no one else has to bare. Please keep his three children, their mothers and Joyce and I in your prayers at such a fragile time.”

A gathering of friends and family was held on Tuesday (Feb. 26) at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. A celebration of life was held at Woodlawn’s Dignity Hall on Wednesday (Feb. 27).

[Updated]: Visitation, Celebration Of Life Services Set For Fred Foster

/by

[Updated, March 14, 10:28 a.m. CT] 

Visitation and celebration of life services have been set for the late Fred Foster. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 22, 2019 from 4 – 8 p.m. at Phillips Robinson Funeral Home (2707 Gallatin Road, Nashville, TN). A celebration of life service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church of Nashville (4815 Franklin Pike, Nashville). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children or Alive Hospice of Nashville.

[Previous story, Feb. 21, 2019]

By Robert K. Oermann

Record producer, label owner and Nashville pop-music pioneer Fred Foster has passed away at age 87.

A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Foster was involved in the careers of such greats as Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Tony Joe White, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Jeannie Seely, Ray Stevens, Connie Smith, Larry Gatlin, Boots Randolph, Grandpa Jones and Charlie McCoy.

He was a North Carolina native born in 1931 who began his career as a songwriter in Washington, D.C. During his early years in the music business, he went to work for Mercury Records and ABC-Paramount Records, as well as for a record-distribution firm in Baltimore.

In 1958, he founded Monument Records. The company had its first hit with the Nashville-recorded “Gotta Travel On” by Billy Grammer the following year. The single was a smash on both the country and pop charts, foretelling the label’s future fortunes.

With the help of songwriter Boudleaux Bryant, Foster moved to Music City in 1960. Bryant recorded for Monument, but Foster’s more lucrative signing was Roy Orbison.
Orbison wrote and recorded his first Monument hit in 1960, “Only the Lonely.” He subsequently became a huge international pop star with “Running Scared” (1961), “Crying” (1961), “Dream Baby” (1962), “In Dreams” (1963), “Blue Bayou” (1963), “Pretty Paper” (1963), “It’s Over” (1964), “Oh Pretty Woman” (1964) and other hits with Foster in the producer’s chair.

 

Fred Foster’s 50th Birthday Roast. Fred Foster and Dolly Parton, 1981.

Bob Moore and His Orchestra had a pop instrumental hit on Monument with “Mexico” in 1961, and Boots Randolph scored with the 1963 pop instrumental “Yakety Sax.”
In 1962, Monument made minor music history by releasing “Jealous Heart” by Leona Douglas, believed to be the first country recording by an African-American female.
In 1963, Foster founded Sound Stage 7 Records, one of Nashville’s most important r&b labels. It was home to Joe Simon, Arthur Alexander, The Dixie Belles and Ivory Joe Hunter. Foster also released records by Lloyd Price, Gene Allison, Percy Sledge and Robert Knight (“Everlasting Love”).

On the country charts, Jeannie Seely hit paydirt on Monument with the Grammy-winning “Don’t Touch Me” in 1966. She followed it with “It’s Only Love,” “A Wanderin’ Man,” “I’ll Love You More” and other country successes.

Her fellow Opry star Billy Walker also had a string of country hits on Monument in 1966-68. Movie star Robert Mitchum had a Monument country hit with “Little Ole Wine Drinker Me” in 1967. Grandpa Jones had the biggest chart hit of his career with 1963’s “T for Texas” on the label.

Henson Cargill had a No. 1 country smash with the socially conscious “Skip a Rope” in 1968. Charlie McCoy spent more than a decade on the label charting such instrumental hits as “I Started Loving You Again” ‘Orange Blossom Special” and “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” in 1972-83..

Dolly Parton began her hit-making career with the Foster-produced “Dumb Blonde” and “Something Fishy” on Monument in 1967. Foster also recorded her singing pop tunes.
In addition to Boudeaux Bryant, Foster also recorded such top country tunesmiths as Harlan Howard, Cindy Walker, Willie Nelson, Norro Wilson, Bobby Russell, Don Robertson, Wayne Carson, Billy Joe Shaver, Bob Morrison and Hank Cochran.

Back on the pop hit parade, Ray Stevens had hits with such Monument singles as “Mr. Businessman” (1968) and “Gitarzan” (1969). Tony Joe White was introduced with the 1969 international smash “Polk Salad Annie” in 1969.

Fred Foster also founded the song-publishing firm Combine Music, which was run by the late Bob Beckham. It was through this connection that he began to produce White, as well as Kris Kristofferson.

2016 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Fred Foster, Charlie Daniels and Randy Travis.

The latter’s big country hit was 1973’s “Why Me.” Foster also suggested the title for Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee.”

Larry Gatlin was signed to Monument in 1973. Between 1976 and 1978, he had seven top-10 hits on the label, including the No. 1 hit “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Loved” (1977) and the Grammy winning “Broken Lady” (1976).

One of the label’s last pop successes was Billy Swan’s “I Can Help” in 1974. It also tried with the Southern-rock band Barefoot Jerry. Connie Smith’s string of Monument singles in 1977-78 were among the company’s last on the country charts.

Due to poor investments, Fred Foster filed for bankruptcy in 1983. He attempted to save his company with an album titled The Winning Hand, starring Nelson, Parton, Kristofferson and Brenda Lee.

Foster sold Combine in 1986 and Monument the following year. In succeeding years, he worked as an independent record producer.

He produced the Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price album Last of the Breed (2007). This featured Price and Nelson’s Grammy-winning duet “Lost Highway.” Foster was behind the board for Nelson’s You Don’t Know Me: The Songs of Cindy Walker album of 2006, and he produced Price’s final recordings to create the 2014 collection Beauty Is.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016. His Monument imprint has been revived twice more, but without his involvement.

Fred Foster had been in ill health for a number of months. He passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 20.

He is survived by his son Vance Foster, and daughters Micki Foster (Greg) Koenig, Leah Foster (Dillon) Alderman, Brit Foster (Judd) Rothstein, and Kristen Foster and grandchildren Rachel DiGregorio, Rhys and Tess Rothstein, and Penelope Kirschner. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.