Yodeler Kenny Roberts Passes

/by

Famed country yodeler Kenny Roberts has died at age 85. His death was reported on Sunday, April 29. He was known as “Yodeling Kenny Roberts” and as “America’s King of the Yodelers.”

Roberts was a radio star at KMOX in St. Louis, the CBS Saturday morning show Barnyard Frolics, The Hoosier Hop in Ft. Wayne, IN, the WCOP Hayloft Jamboree in Boston and The Midwestern Hayride in Cincinnati. He also starred in his own television kiddie program The Kenny Roberts Show on WNEM-TV in Saginaw, MI in the 1960s, as well as earlier on WLW-TV in Cincinnati.

He was a recording artist for the Vogue, Coral/Decca, Palomino and Longhorn labels in 1945-1985. His biggest hits included “I Never See Maggie Alone” (1949), “Wedding Bells” (1949), “Jealous Heart” (1949) and “Choc’late Ice Cream Cone” (1950), all on Coral. Roberts also popularized such songs as “River of Tears,” “I’ve Got the Blues,” “Yodel Polka,” “She Taught Me to Yodel,” “Hillbilly Style” and “Cheer Up, Things Could be Worse.”

He helped launch the career of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Bill Haley, who was in his Down Homers country band in 1946.

During his long career, Kenny Roberts appeared on the network television programs Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts and The Today Show.

MusicRow sends condolences to his family. He is the father of music executives Bobby Roberts (The Bobby Roberts Company) and Jeff Roberts (Jeff Roberts & Associates). He is also survived by seven other children, 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Kenny Roberts passed away at his home in Athol, Massachusetts. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Dick Clark Passes Away

/by

Photo: Associated Press

Broadcast and entertainment legend Dick Clark passed away today (4/18) in Los Angeles following a heart attack, according to numerous reports. He was 82. The beloved host of the long-running American Bandstand, Clark’s contributions helped spread the popularity of rock & roll in the US and gave the world favorite TV shows like The 25,000 Pyramid and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

Born Richard Wagstaff Clark, he was also a savvy businessman whose empire extended to restaurants, film and played an important role in the development of country music. He launched his company Dick Clark Productions in 1957, which currently produces the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Clark’s relationship with the ACM spans over 40 years, dating back to 1965 when the organization was first trying to produce an awards show and get it televised.

“Dick stepped in and helped us get the show on TV, and actually hosted the show starting in 1969,” says ACM CEO Bob Romeo. “Eventually he became executive producer of the show. A relationship followed where the ACM entered into a contract with Dick Clark Productions to produce our Awards show.”

The relationship with the Clark family continues to this day, as the show’s executive producer role is now overseen by Dick’s son Richard A. (RAC) Clark II.

Romeo recalls the intimidation he felt over his first meeting with Clark.

“Before I became CEO I was chairman of the board for several years,” says Romeo. “When I was elected, one of my first duties was to go negotiate with Dick Clark on a new TV contract. Here I am, 30 years old, don’t know anything about the TV business and I’m going to walk in and have a meeting with Dick Clark. I’ll never forget the feeling. But Dick had the ability to just make me feel welcome and we talked through the issues and resolved a new deal. I felt in that moment that I had a lot to learn about the business and, you know what, I had some good teachers.”

More recently, the ACM entered into a contract with Dick Clark Productions as a full partner of the show. Earlier in 2012, the ACM, Dick Clark Productions and CBS renewed their association for another 10 years.

Curb Records founder and music industry veteran Mike Curb also had a longstanding association with Clark, and sent the following statement upon hearing the news.

“I had the opportunity to work with Dick Clark for 50 years, beginning when I wrote the theme for American Bandstand. He has clearly been the most important figure during my lifetime in the industry.”

The Dick Clark Productions official Twitter posted the following earlier:

“Dick Clark was a pioneer, entrepreneur, showman, icon, legend. The first to truly integrate music and TV. We will march on with his vision.”

Journalist Pat Harris Passes Away in Nashville

/by

Nashville journalist Pat Harris passed away Saturday (4/14) of natural causes at her daughter’s Nashville home. She was 88.

A native of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Harris held numerous roles during her lengthy career, including serving as Reuters News Service’s middle Tennessee reporter for nearly three decades up until about a year ago. She was also a Time magazine correspondent for over 25 years, and wrote a weekly entertainment feature for Chicago Sun Times and a monthly column for Music City News. Additionally, her work appeared in the Wall Street Journal and the Christian Science Monitor.

The veteran scribe got her start with International News Service in Chicago after finishing high school, later moving to the Springfield, Ill. office after INS merged with United Press International, where she served as bureau manager.

Harris was also the Chicago press aide for Governor Adlai Stevenson during his presidential campaign against Dwight Eisenhower. She later wrote a book called Adlai: The Springfield Years, which was published in 1975.

Harris arrived Nashville in 1965 when her husband accepted a job at The Tennessean. She worked for the TN Education Department for 12 years, handling PR, writing speeches, and editing the Trailblazer magazine.

Harris is survived by her daughter Barbara and numerous friends. A private celebration of her life will be held later. Those close to Harris, who was a lover and advocate of animals, request memorial contributions be made to ASPCA, or local organizations like Happy Tales, Love at First Sight, or Nashville Humane Association.

Lifenotes (3/02/12)

/by

MusicRow extends its condolences to GrassRoots Promotion Managing Partner Nancy Tunick in the loss of her mother Joy Tunick-Green of Kennett Square, PA. She passed away Feb. 28 following a battle with cancer. She was 74. Funeral services are being held today at Mt. Sharon Cemetery in Springfield, PA.

• • •

Condolences also to veteran music publicist Judy McDonough of JEMMedia, whose mother Dolores McDonough passed away in St. Louis on March 1 after an extended illness. She was 79. Final arrangements are pending.

KREK’s Dusty Edwards Passes

/by

MusicRow sends its condolences to family and friends of KREK/Bristow, OK MD Dusty Edwards, who passed away Friday (Feb. 24) in Tulsa. He was 49.

Known as Ron Schmidt to his family and friends, Edwards was born in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma and went on to serve in the United States Air Force after finishing high school. He joined KREK in 1992, where he worked for 20 years, including time as MD and on-air talent. Basketball was also a passion of his, and he served as the voice for Bristow Pirate basketball games.

Edwards had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in early February, and began chemotherapy treatment. Last week, he suffered a heart attack that left him in a coma. After a period with no change, he was taken off life support and passed away shortly after. He had taken leave from KREK in December 2011 prior to his diagnosis.

He is survived by his father Ronald Sr., mother Gladys, brother Donald (aka “Shorty”), sister Gidget, daughter Tascha, granddaughter Makayla, and two nieces and a nephew. His first grandson is also on the way. He was preceded in death by his brother David.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Thursday, March 1, at 11 am at the Freeland Center in Bristow, with interment to follow at Tecumseh Cemetery in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked memorial contributions be made to assist with medical bills, through a fund set up in his name. Contributions can be sent to Dusty Edwards Benefit Fund, c/o Community Bank, PO Box 1010, Bristow, OK 74010.

For correspondence, contact Gidget Miller, 15606 E. Tecumseh, Norman, OK, 73026.

Guitarist/Producer Billy Strange Dies

/by

Billy Strange, a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, has died at age 81.

Equally notable as a top studio guitarist, record producer, songwriter and music arranger, Strange was born in 1930 and raised in Long Beach, CA. He was performing with his parents by age fourteen. He initially worked as a country guitarist, backing Spade Cooley, Roy Rogers, The Sons of the Pioneers, Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant in the 1950s. He also served a stint in Count Basie’s band.

He rose to become a top session guitarist in L.A., a member of the ensemble known as “The Wrecking Crew.” As such, he backed everyone from The Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Records by The Everly Brothers, Nat King Cole, Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, Dean Martin, Rick Nelson, Jan & Dean, Love, Johnny Cash, The Hondells, Doris Day, Wanda Jackson, Wayne Newton, The Ventures, Pat Boone and many more contain his guitar stylings.

Strange’s distinctive, inventive arrangements include Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” Cher’s “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” and the Nancy and Frank Sinatra duet “Somethin’ Stupid.”

Recording for GNP Crescendo, Billy Strange issued a dozen instrumental albums in the 1960s. He was also a member of the pop band The Avalanches.

As a songwriter, Strange co-wrote “A Little Less Conversation,” “Charro,” “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard” and “Memories” for Elvis Presley, “Limbo Rock” for Chubby Checker and a number of instrumentals for Speedy West, Jimmy Bryant and Herb Alpert.

Billy Strange moved to Nashville in the 1970s. He initially ran Sinatra’s publishing company’s office in Music City. In the 1980s, record executive Jimmy Bowen hired him to produce a series of country comeback albums on Dot Records for Jeanne Pruett, George Hamilton IV, Justin Tubb, Helen Cornelius and other veteran stars.

Billy Strange was induced into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He died in Nashville on Wednesday, February 22. He is survived by his wife, singer Jeanne Black, as well as two children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Beloved Publicist Jayne Rogovin Passes

/by

Jayne and her horse Diva. Photo: Gina Binkley

Veteran Nashville publicist Jayne Rogovin passed away last night (2/13) from incurable breast cancer.

For eight years she ran her successful Jayne Gang PR, with most recent clients including The Americana Music Association, Sunset Grill, Cabana Restaurant, Midtown Cafe and Manuel Exclusive Clothier. A devoted publicist, she was working even in recent weeks, as her condition worsened. Friends say the decline in her health was sudden.

Proof of her courageous spirit and drive, she proclaimed in a recent interview, “I’m living, not battling.”

Best friend Kay West helped Rogovin keep on living, acting as a point person for others who wanted to help. “I met Jayne when Steve West asked her to direct the first Nashville Music Awards aka The NAMMIES 17 years ago and I wrote the script,” recalls West. “We have been dear friends since. Jayne was fearless, adventurous, insatiably curious, always learning, generous, devoted to her friends and clients and a damned fine horsewoman and dancer. She lit up a room and touched countless lives. I will miss her terribly.”

Longtime friend Kay Clary agrees, “Jayne was bursting with life and seriously had the widest circle of close friends of anyone I’ve ever known! She had an hilariously quick wit, the tenderest of hearts, and sharpest of minds. Yes, she did impassioned work as a PR and marketing exec, but she’ll be remembered most by so many as a vibrant and true friend.”

Rogovin’s more than twenty-year career included time as Pecos Films Director/Producer, as well as work in media, marketing and creative services.

The New York native graduated from the University of Florida and went into broadcast journalism. Later, after a two-month stint with a TV crew covering the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Texas, she decided a career change was in order. She eventually landed in Nashville, and became a much-loved, hard-working member of the music community. She was passionate about horses, and indulged her caring nature with gardening, and her feisty side with salsa dancing.

Friends rallied around Rogovin during her illness, organizing the Kick the Crap Outta Cancer benefit in her honor. Held April 5, 2011 at Cabana, the event attracted performers including Raul Malo, Jim Lauderdale, Steve Cropper, and Foster & Lloyd, and raised about $30,000.

She was as devoted to the community as it was to her, working with charitable causes including UPAW (United Partnership for Animal Welfare), and Billy’s Wish Foundation, which helps children with cancer.

Ronna Rubin saw her friend as an inspiration. She says, “In good health and in bad, Jayne inspired me. I will always remember Jayne’s passion; her passion for life, for her friends, for our creative community. Those artists, songwriters and singers lucky enough to have had her as their cheerleader were gifted with a rare combination of vision and devotion.”

In recent months Rogovin continued her longtime work with the Americana Music Association, including at its September Festival and Conference. She was one of the most devoted and earliest supporters of the organization and the genre it represents. According to her blog, she also enjoyed traveling to see family in the months before her passing.

Read more about Rogovin’s history here and her recent interview here.

Arrangements have not been announced.

Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly shared this moving letter today.

Dear Jaynie,

Your friendship was unconditional. Your love was unconditional. Your professionalism unsurpassed. I am so grateful for the gifts you shared.

You never once let me down. You not being here today is unimaginable and I am figuring out how to deal with this… It’s tough. Happened too fast.

I have no doubt you would have already pulled into my driveway by now to listen and comfort me, and to advise me on how to deal with this situation. You would likely be telling me that I have to grieve, and then you would, at the right time, tell me I needed to stand up, pull it together and leave the house. You’d tell me I needed a statement. It’s making me laugh and cry.

How lucky we all have been to be your friend. You gave us such confidence. Your belief in greatness and kindness in all of us is one I cherish.

I love you and miss you so much Jayne Rogovin. Happy Valentine’s Day sweetheart.

Friends rallied aroud Jayne Rogovin at the Kick The Crap Outta Cancer benefit. (L-R): Steve Cropper, Jonell Mosser, Jayne Rogovin, Harry Stinson and Beth Hooker. Photo: Alan Mayor

Superstar Whitney Houston Dies In Los Angeles

/by

Pop superstar Whitney Houston passed away at the Beverly Hilton hotel on Saturday, Feb. 11. She was 48 years old. Cause of death has not yet been determined.

One of the greatest singers to step in front of a microphone, Whitney Elizabeth Houston was born in 1963 to a musical family that included her gospel singer mother Cissy Houston, cousins Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick, and godmother Aretha Franklin. She was discovered by Arista Records head Clive Davis in New York City, who helped propel her on to stardom.

Over the course of her career, she released seven studio albums and three movie soundtracks, all of which have Gold or higher sales certifications. Her numerous accomplishments include earning six Grammys, two Emmy Awards, and many other awards. Houston’s run of seven consecutive No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100—”Saving All My Love For You,” “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “So Emotional,” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”—is still unmatched.

Houston landed her first acting role as the star of The Bodyguard (1992). Her version of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” featured on the blockbuster soundtrack, went on to become the best-selling single of all time. The soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

“Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston,” commented Dolly Parton. “I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.”

Houston’s work also intersected with Nashville’s gospel community on The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack, one of the best-selling gospel albums in history. Houston starred in the film and performed songs on the soundtrack that were penned by Kirk Franklin and Dottie Rambo, among others.

She married R&B singer Bobby Brown in 1992, and gave birth to her only child Bobbi Kristina Houston Brown in 1993. Their tumultuous relationship was beset by rumors of drug use, and the couple divorced in 2007. Houston mounted a comeback in 2009 with singles “I Look To You” and “Million Dollar Bill,” coming clean about her past drug use in an interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Houston had performed at Grammy nomination party in Los Angeles for R&B singer Kelly Price on Thursday (Feb. 9), and was slated to attend a pre-Grammy party Saturday thrown by Clive Davis in the hotel where she died. Bobby Brown was scheduled to perform with his group New Edition in Nashville Sunday night (Feb. 12), but pulled out of the show last minute to join his daughter in Los Angeles.

No funeral arrangements have been announced.

Producer and Songwriter Larry Butler Passes

/by

Award-winning producer, songwriter, and musician Larry Butler passed away in his sleep yesterday (Jan. 19) at home in Pensacola, Florida. He was 69 years old.

The first and only Nashville producer to win the Grammy for Producer of the Year, Butler experienced his greatest successes as Kenny Rogers’ producer. Their collaboration resulted in landmark hits for Rogers, including “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” “The Gambler,” “Love Or Something Like It,” and “Coward of the County.”

Pensacola native Larry Lee Butler’s musical career began at age six when he joined the Harry James Orchestra. He moved to Nashville in 1963, after encouragement from publisher Buddy Killen.

He began landing session work, playing piano on hits like Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin” and Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey.” His musical contributions also appear on cuts by Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and many, many more.

In the late 1960s, Butler moved to Memphis and began working with songwriter Chips Moman in the group the Gentrys, who scored hits with “Keep On Dancin’” and “Every Day I Have To Cry Some.”

Butler later returned to Nashville and joined United Artists Records as head of the label’s Nashville office. Under his guidance, the label helped launch the successful careers of Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle, Dottie West and the Kendalls.

He won a Song of the Year Grammy for “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” another Chips Moman co-write that B.J. Thomas took to No. 1 in 1975. In 1979, Butler earned his Grammy for Producer of the Year. He launched a publishing company in 1984, signing writers Mickey Newbury, Dean Dillon and Julie Didier and landed the George Strait hits “The Chair” and “Ocean Front Property.” For his multitude of accomplishments, the University of West Florida awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate of Performing Arts.

He is survived by his wife Peggy Maultsby Butler, daughter Schanda Butler Olsson, grandson Justin, sister Alva Chop and numerous other extended family members and friends.

Memorial services will be held in Pensacola, Florida Tuesday, January 24 at 11:11 AM at Perdido Bay United Methodist Community Center. A celebration of Butler’s life will be held in Nashville at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Belmont University, Don Gant Scholarship, Office of Development, 1900 Belmont Ave., Nashville, TN 37212.

Soul Queen Etta James Dies

/by

Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Etta James, one of the greatest soul singers in history, has died in Los Angeles at age 73.

A frequent visitor to the studios of Nashville, she was renowned for such searing performances as “The Wallflower” (1955), “All I Could Do Was Cry” (1960), “At Last” (1961), “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” (1962), “Stop the Wedding” (1962), “Pushover” (1963), “Tell Mama” (1967), “I’d Rather Go Blind” (1967) and “Security” (1968).

She was also notable as an interpreter of such country classics as “Almost Persuaded” (1969), “Loving Arms” (1975). “Sweet Memories” (1969), “When I Stop Dreaming” (1969), “Don’t Touch Me” (1997) and “Lovesick Blues” (1978).

In 1963, Etta James became one of the earliest major r&b stars to travel to Nashville to record. Her landmark Etta James Rocks the House LP was recorded at Music City’s New Era nightclub.

She returned to Nashville to record her 1988 comeback LP Seven Year Itch with producer Barry Beckett. Stickin’ to My Guns (1990), How Strong Is a Woman (1993) and Love’s Been Rough on Me (1997) were also recorded in Music City. Nashville’s Curb Records issued her 2002 two-volume Greatest Gospel Hits CDs.

During the second half of her career she recorded the works of such Nashville songwriters as Tracy Nelson, Dan Penn, Dobie Gray, Tony Joe White, Russell Smith, Kenny Greenberg, Greg Barnhill, Gretchen Peters, Troy Seals, Fred Knobloch, Steve Bogard, Mike Reid and Al Anderson.

She never knew her father, but believed him to be the legendary billiards player, Minnesota Fats, a longtime resident of Nashville’s Hermitage Hotel. He neither confirmed nor denied it when they met, saying that he couldn’t remember.

During her lifetime, Etta James won six Grammy Awards. She was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1993 and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy in 2003. She was also given a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.

Her death today, January 20, was due to complications from leukemia, and she also suffered from hepatitis C and dementia. She is survived by her husband, two sons and numerous grandchildren.