Bradley (Picture: Donn Jones/CMA)
Longtime NASHVILLE music govt JERRY BRADLEY, who earned a non-performer spot within the COUNTRY RADIO HALL OF FAME in 2019 and was a second-generation member of Nation music’s BRADLEY household dynasty, died TODAY (7/17) in MT. JULIET, TN on the age of 83.
BRADLEY labored as each a producer and a report label and publishing govt by his four-decade-long profession. Within the former function, he helmed data for EDDIE ARNOLD, CHARLEY PRIDE, DOTTIE WEST and lots of others. On the enterprise aspect, he served as head of RCA RECORDS’ NASHVILLE operations from 1973 by 1982, the place his most profitable signings included ALABAMA and RONNIE MILSAP, and his most profitable mission was “Needed! The Outlaws,” that includes WILLIE NELSON, WAYLON JENNINGS, JESSI COLTER and TOMPALL GLASER, which turned the primary Platinum promoting Nation album licensed by the RIAA.
He later turned head of OPRYLAND MUSIC GROUP when the GAYLORD firm bought ACUFF-ROSE PUBLISHING in 1985. Amongst his signings there was a younger KENNY CHESNEY in 1992. CHESNEY stated of BRADLEY, “He had a profound and unmeasurable affect on my life. However not simply in my life … he helped change the lives of so many individuals that had a tune of their coronary heart. JERRY’s affect on our artistic group shall be felt for years.”
BRADLEY was a longtime member of the COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION’s (CMA) Board of Administrators, serving as its president in 1975. Present CMA CEO SARAH TRAHERN known as BRADLEY “a enterprise icon who was instrumental within the careers of dozens of artists. JERRY liked Nation music simply as a lot as he lived it … JERRY’s deep ardour for our enterprise shall be vastly missed.”
He was the son of famed music producer OWEN BRADLEY and the nephew of studio musician legend HAROLD BRADLEY, each additionally members of the COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME. JERRY was additionally the husband of 42 years to longtime ASCAP chief CONNIE BRADLEY, the brother of former BMI Asst. VP PATSY BRADLEY, and the daddy of present BMI VP CLAY BRADLEY. He additionally has a grandson and a granddaughter within the enterprise. Along with his uncle HAROLD, JERRY based publishing firm FORREST HILLS MUSIC in 1963, and he later started engineering and producing data in BRADLEY’S BARN recording studio in MT. JULIET, which he owned together with his father.
COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME CEO KYLE YOUNG stated, “BRADLEY grew up in NASHVILLE’s music enterprise, after which he helped form it. He realized from one of the best: his father, OWEN BRADLEY, and his first RCA RECORDS boss, CHET ATKINS. As soon as JERRY took the reins at RCA, he innovated—wresting advertising budgets and album cowl management from NEW YORK; increasing Nation’s attain to entice Pop and Rock followers; and nurturing dynamic artists like ALABAMA, WAYLON JENNINGS, RONNIE MILSAP, DOLLY PARTON and CHARLEY PRIDE, enabling their HALL OF FAME careers. The album compilation ‘Needed! The Outlaws’ epitomizes his genius: totally conceived by BRADLEY, it supercharged WAYLON, WILLIE, and the Outlaw motion, and earned Nation’s first platinum gross sales certification. Because of JERRY, nation music gained newfound respect and business clout.”
A Celebration of Life shall be held at CEDAR CREEK YACHT CLUB in MT. JULIET on SEPTEMBER 10Tth at 4p (CT). In lieu of flowers, the household is asking for donations to MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE.
