Music Publishing
Kathy Fernandes was lucky enough to have an inspiring flute teacher while in high school that helped encourage and foster Kathy’s interest in music. In fact, Kathy pursued a career as a school music teacher thanks to those teachers she learned from. While in graduate school, she was hired as a...
Glenn Burtch is the president of JW Pepper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is the same position his brother and father both held. In fact, during the hundred year history of JW Pepper, only two families owned and ran the business, the Peppers and the Burtchs. Glenn’s father, Dean Burtch (...
Bret Rhoades began his career in the music industry by working for Ken Stanton Music in Georgia. Bret learned band instrument repairs while attending college, and after a short time as a teacher he landed a job with Ted Frank in New Orleans. Ted Frank operated the sheet music department within...
George Pajon Jr. is a founding member of the Black Eyed Peas and the musical producer and director for Fergie, Carlos Santana and Los Lonely, among others. His music career began as a guitarist and over the years he has been active within the music products industry. Among the companies he has...
Rick Hall was born just down the country road from Sam Philips, the founder of Sun Records in Memphis. Perhaps there was something in the Florence River there near Muscle Shoals because Rick too went on to establish a famous recording studio, Fame! Rick entered the music publishing industry in...
Lee Paynter outlined the rich history of the JW Pepper Publishing Company during his NAMM Oral History interview. Lee covered the founding of the company in 1876 by James Welsh Pepper who in the early days not only printed sheet music but also made musical instruments. In fact, Lee told the story...
Michael Puryear is the president of Final Four Music in Nashville, a music publisher that has worked with Amy Grant, The Oak Ridge Boys and Vince Gill, among many others. Michael’s career has covered many aspects of the music industry including being a songwriter himself. In fact, since his...
Dickey Lee grew up in Memphis and began playing at dances and parties at an early age. He would often introduce a new song that he wrote along with the hits of the day. In 1957, Dickey recorded for Sun Records and later became known for his teenage tragedy songs such as “Laurie (Strange Things...
Jerry Foster was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame based on his long and successful career in music. Over the years he has penned such country classics with his partner Bill Rice as “Southern Rains” recorded by Mel Tillis and “We’re in this Love Together” recorded by Al Jarreau...
Charlie Monk is known throughout Nashville as the Mayor of Music Row! Perhaps it’s due to his long running radio programs, books and TV spots with the top list of performers by his side. Or, perhaps it’s due to his long career in the music publishing industry. Either way, it’s a fitting title...