Erv Woolsey, long-time Strait manager, passes away

Under doctors' care due to complications from surgery, the Texas-born, longtime Nashville resident also manged Clay Walker and Ronnie Milsap.

Strait said, ""My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer, Erv Woolsey passed away this morning. He had complications from a surgery and just couldn't overcome it. He was a very tough man and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much. We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won't ever be the same without him."

Born Feb. 15, 1944 in Houston, Woolsey spent his entire professional life in the music business. After graduating from Southwest Texas State University in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in business, Woolsey went to work in the promotion department at Decca Records. He spent time at several record labels before moving to Nashville in 1973 as the head of promotions for ABC Records' newly-opened country division where he elevated the careers of Johnny Rodriguez, Jimmy Buffett, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender and the Amazing Rhythm Aces.

At the same time, Woolsey and his then wife Connie owned The Prairie Rose, a club in San Marcos, Texas. It was there he first saw and met George Strait. Woolsey booked Strait regularly to perform.

Woolsey followed a string of successes at ABC with a long run at MCA during the '80s. He promoted Barbara Mandrell, Don Williams, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty and The Oak Ridge Boys and Lee Greenwood at country radio.

In 1981, in the wake of "Urban Cowboy" and on the verge of a new traditionalist movement, Woolsey convinced label head Jim Foglesong to sign Strait to a recording deal at MCA Records, his label home to this day. "Unwound," Strait's debut single, reached number six on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, launching his career.

In 1984, Woolsey left MCA to devote himself full-time to managing Strait's career. Strait would win Entertainer of the Year Awards across four decades, as he and his manager broke ground with 1992's Jerry Weintraub-produced major motion picture "Pure Country," which captured Strait's larger than life charisma, and the stadium-sized George Strait Country Festival Tours, starting in 1995.

Woolsey also was a songwriter. He co-wrote "In Too Deep" on Strait's 1985 "Something Special" and was a writer on Strait's number one hit "I Can Still Make Cheyenne" on the 1996 Country Music Association Album of the Year "Blue Clear Sky."

Alongside business partner Steve Ford, he opened The Trap, across from the former Adelphia Stadium, home of Nashville's NFL team, the Titans, before opening three other venues – Losers, Winners and the Dawg House.

He continued working with new acts, including Ian Munsick, Davisson Brothers Band, Kylie Frey, Triston Marez, Nick Davisson, Zach Neil, Stone Senate and Vince Herman over the last few years.

Woolsey served on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association, as well as the Tennessee Museum of History.

He is survived by his son Clint, ex-wife Connie, brother David and sister Beth, and preceded in death by his parents, John and Mavis Woolsey, and brother Johnny Woolsey.

Details on arrangements will be shared at a future date.