John Aylesworth (L) and Frank Peppiatt (R).

Frank Peppiatt, who brought country culture to the forefront of the national media as co-creator of Hee Haw, died on Wednesday (11/7) in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. He was 85 and had been battling cancer.

Peppiatt and John Aylesworth helped launch the show in 1969. After CBS cancelled it two years later, it went on to become one of the longest-running syndicated series of all time, lasting more than two decades.

Peppiatt and Aylesworth loosely based the show on the then-popular sketch comedy series Laugh-In. The idea for the country twist came after appearances by country stars including Jimmy Dean, Dale Evans and Minnie Pearl led to a ratings spike on The Jonathan Winters Show, which Peppiatt and Aylesworth previously produced.

Hee Haw was produced by Sam Lovullo. Buck Owens and Roy Clark co-hosted, and regulars included Minnie Pearl, Grandpa Jones, Stringbean, and George Lindsey. George Richie, and later Charlie McCoy, led the house band which backed the numerous country stars who performed on the show.

Peppiatt also produced television variety shows, including series and specials for Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra and Julie Andrews. His book, When Variety Was King: Memoir of a TV Pioneer Featuring Jackie Gleason, Sonny and Cher, Hee Haw and More will be published in April 2013. Aylesworth passed in 2010.

FUN and Ne-Yo have been added to the lineup for The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night. They join previously announced performers Luke Bryan and Maroon 5. LL COOL J and Taylor Swift will co-host the one-hour televised concert special.

The show, which will announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past GRAMMY winners and/or nominees, will take place for the first time ever at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Dec. 5. It will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 10 – 11 p.m. ET/PT (9 p.m. Central).

Additional performers and presenters are still forthcoming.

Kay Clary

Kay Clary is stepping down from her post as BMI, Executive Director, Media Relations. Her last day with the performing rights organization will be Friday, Nov. 16.

Clary says, “I’m leaving BMI after seven wonderful years serving songwriters and publishers from the vantage point of the corporate communications department. I’ll do the hippie-beatnik thing for a few months to recharge before launching into a creative new career path. I wouldn’t dream of leaving Nashville at such an exciting time as this so please stay in touch and tuned-in via my Facebook page, email kay.clary@gmail.com, or my cell (615) 585-5321.”

BMI, VP Writer/Publisher Relations, Jody Williams adds, “Kay Clary is a treasure. She has deep musical knowledge, impeccable taste in current artists, and is one of Nashville’s taste makers if there ever was one. She utilized her PR skills at BMI with class and precision and is a huge reason we have remained strong here in Nashville and beyond. Kay is also one of the most elegant and enjoyable co-workers I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. We will surely miss her, but wish her nothing but joy and success in the future.”

Clary’s career also includes heading her own media company, Commotion PR, where the roster included Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs, Billy Joe Shaver, Bruce Robison, the Del McCoury Band and Legacy Recordings. Previously, Clary directed media campaigns for artists including Ron Sexsmith, Radney Foster, Jack Ingram and Hoodoo Gurus. Throughout the ‘80s, Clary was a partner in Praxis International, where along with Jack Emerson and Andy McLenon, she managed the careers of Jason and the Scorchers, the Georgia Satellites, Webb Wilder, Steve Forbert, Billy Joe Shaver and others. Clary graduated from Belmont University. She is active with the Belcourt Theatre, the Americana Music Association and is an alumna of Leadership Music.

BMI is accepting applications for the media relations department here.