James Rae Denney (later Denny; 28 February 1911 – 27 August 1963) was an American executive in the country music recording and broadcasting industry in the 1940s and '50s. He was head of the Artists Service Bureau for powerful Nashville-based radio station WSM beginning in 1946, served as general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, and launched Cedarwood Publishing Company with country star Webb Pierce in 1954. Upon his 1966 posthumous induction, Denny was the first non-musician to be named into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Early life and education

On 28 February 1911, Denny was born in Silver Point, Tennessee, and raised alongside two brothers. At the beginning of the 1920s, Denny moved to Nashville, Tennessee and worked as a courier for Western Union.[1] For his post-secondary education, Denny went to Watkins Institute to study accounting.[2]

Career

Denny started his career at the National Life and Accident Insurance Company in 1929, working in various departments including mail and as an actuary.[2] The insurance firm had launched WSM radio in 1925, and its signature program, the Grand Ole Opry, had become a national platform for country artists. While with National Life, Denny worked side jobs with the Opry including selling tickets and souvenirs between 1939 and 1946.[3] In 1946, Denny began working at WSM as the head of its Artists Service Bureau. While holding the head position at the radio station, Denny became the general manager of the Opry in 1951.

In 1954, Denny partnered with Webb Pierce to create Cedarwood Publishing Company. Denny left his WSM Artists Service Bureau position in 1956 after WSM raised conflict of interest issues,[4][5] and created the Jim Denny Artist Bureau while continuing working at Cedarwood. Denny hired multiple songwriters to write for Cedarwood, including Marijohn Wilkin and Carl Perkins. He also signed a publishing contract with Buddy Holly. Denny ended his music executive career in December 1962 after he was diagnosed with colon cancer.[6]

Awards and honors

In 1955, Denny was named the 1955 Billboard Country and Western Man of the Year.[7] Denny became the first non-musician to be named into the Country Music Hall of Fame after his posthumous induction in 1966.[8][9]

Personal life

Denny was married and had three kids.[10]

Death

Denny died at Saint Thomas - West Hospital in Nashville from cancer on 27 August 1963.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Cunnifff, Albert (1986a). "Muscle Behind the Music: The Life and Times of Jim Denny Part 1: The Path to Power". The Journal of Country Music. 11 (1): 40.
  2. 1 2 Cusic, Don (2008). Discovering Country Music. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 44. ISBN 9780313352454. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  3. ↑ Cunnifff 1986a pp. 43-47
  4. ↑ Owens, Anne-Leslie. "James R. "Jim" Denny". Tennessee Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  5. ↑ Cunniff, Albert (1986b). "Muscle Behind the Music: The Life and Times of Jim Denny Part 2:Making Friends, Money, Enemies, and a Name for Himself". The Journal of Country Music. 11 (2): 31, 54.
  6. ↑ Cunniff, Albert (1987). "Muscle Behind the Music: The Life and Times of Jim Denny Part 3: So Much to Do, So Little Time". The Journal of Country Music. 11 (3).
  7. ↑ "Denny Tops 1955 C&W Poll; Sholes Voted Second Place". Billboard. 3 March 1956. p. 56. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  8. ↑ "Jim Denny". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
  9. ↑ Carlin, Richard (2003). "Denny, Jim". Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary. Routledge. p. 102. ISBN 0415938023. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  10. 1 2 "Country Music Publisher Dies". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. 27 August 1963. p. 21.
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