weekly March 25, 2024, Issue 902
Remembering Erv Woolsey
The passing of artist manager Erv Woolsey (Chronicle 3/20) is marked with favorite stories of the man from many who knew him well. • Country Music Hall of Famer George Strait: Of course there’s a lot of stories, but one of the many things that I’ll really miss is after every show he would say to me, “Man, George. You were great tonight.” Or something like that – even on those nights when I knew I wasn’t. He always believed in me. Erv was a man who, if you were his friend, he had your back no matter what. All of his friends will tell you that. While I’ll never get that pat on the back from Erv again physically, I’ll still feel it in my heart. He’ll always be with me in spirit. • Morris Higham Management’s Clint Higham: When I came to Nashville it was Dale Erv Woolsey Morris, Narvel Blackstock and Erv Woolsey I looked to as being at the very top. That was Alabama, Reba and George Strait. For Erv to become a friend and a mentor ... he went to both of my weddings. He once said the role of a manager is to protect those with the ability to have long term impact – artists – from those who operate with short term thinking – like record companies. He once said, “One day you’ll wake up and not recognize a soul at your record company.” He was right. Erv had so much wisdom and so many funny lines. A group of us went to one of [concert promoter] Louis Messina’s weddings, and when they got to the part asking if anyone objects to the marriage, Erv raised his hand. It was hilarious. And of course, Louis is no longer married to that gal, so Erv was right about that too. Red Light’s Enzo DeVincenzo: There are so many funny Erv one liners and stories ... some of which are printable. Here are a few nuggets he gave me I still carry: “There’s more meaning in a handshake deal between two people, than any contract could ever state.” “Do what you say you’re going to do, you’ll be surprised how many people don’t.” “Always leave a deal the way you entered one.” “All we have is our name and reputation in this life, and if you do what’s right, you’ll never have to worry about either.” I’m so blessed that Erv has been a part of my life; he gave me the gift of friendship and believing in me early on. He was a dear friend, mentor and father figure, and has touched so many lives. Love and miss you, “Big Daddy.” (continued on page 11)
Kelsey Chart: Curb’s Kelsey Hart (r) celebrates hitting No. 1 on SiriusXM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown at Music Row Happy Hour with SXM’s ”Trapper” John Morris, Nicholas Elliott and Buzz Brainard.
CRS Research: Is Local Passé?
Arguably the most surprising moment of CRS 2024 came when Smith Geiger EVP/Digital Media Strategies Andrew Finlayson presented the elements listeners want from on-air talent. Exceeded only by shared political affiliation, the least essential quality for a radio personality was ... being local to the listener’s area. That revelation seems to be quite a departure from industry orthodoxy about the value of live and local radio, but Finlayson Andrew Finlayson Dan Reines and the company’s SVP/ Insights & Strategy Dan Reines offer context. The “CRS Research Presentation: On Air Talent And Their Role On All Platforms” was a national online survey of 816 country music listeners ages 18-54, of whom 60% were Country radio listeners. While the top elements respondents sought were being real (66%), authentic (60%) and positive (53%) – the least essential were shared politics (20%), being local (27%) and being patriotic (28%).
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