Discussion:
Rick Blackburn Record executive Columbia and Atlantic 70
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busgal
2012-12-03 22:13:38 UTC
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http://www.tennessean.com/article/20121203/BUSINESS/312030054/Former-record-exec-Blackburn-dead-70?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cp&nclick_check=1

Richard Norman “Rick” Blackburn, a former record company executive and past president and chairman of the Country Music Association, has died. He was 70.

Blackburn was a former vice president of operations and head of the Nashville division of Atlantic Records. Under his watch, the label launched the careers of John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy and Confederate Railroad.

The University of Cincinnati graduate began his career promoting pop records for Mercury Records and Epic Records. In a career that spanned decades, he also served as general manager of Monument Records and CBS’s Nashville division, which he led from fourth in country music market share to first place. During Blackburn’s tenure at CBS, artists including Ricky Skaggs and Rosanne Cash joined the label.

Blackburn also was one of the 11-member founding council of Leadership Music, the music industry educational organization created in 1989. In 1982, Blackburn served as president of the Country Music Association’s Board of Directors. He was the the association’s chairman in 1986.

Blackburn was retired.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Suzanne “Suzie” McLellan Blackburn of Franklin, and brother, Roger Blackburn of Kentucky.

A private service will be held at a later date in Cincinnati, his childhood home. No public services are planned at this time.
busgal
2012-12-03 22:20:54 UTC
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Interesting to note he was the one who fired Johnny Cash and a couple years later Roseanne would join the Columbia /Epic lable group. Also Someone at IBMA this year was talking about how Atlantic was country lable of the year in 1996 on the strength of Tracy Lawence, John Michael Montgomery and Confederate Railroad.
Diner
2012-12-04 13:36:55 UTC
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Post by busgal
Interesting to note he was the one who fired Johnny Cash and a couple years later Roseanne would join the Columbia /Epic lable group.
Johnny Cash was with Columbia 1958-1986.
Rosanne Cash was with Columbia 1980-1993.

-Tim
t***@iwvisp.com
2012-12-04 02:02:29 UTC
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http://www.tennessean.com/article/20121203/BUSINESS/312030054/Former-...
Richard Norman “Rick” Blackburn, a former record company executive and past president and chairman of the Country Music Association, has died. He was 70.
Blackburn was a former vice president of operations and head of the Nashville division of Atlantic Records. Under his watch, the label launched the careers of John Michael Montgomery, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy and Confederate Railroad.
The University of Cincinnati graduate began his career promoting pop records for Mercury Records and Epic Records. In a career that spanned decades, he also served as general manager of Monument Records and CBS’s Nashville division, which he led from fourth in country music market share to first place. During Blackburn’s tenure at CBS, artists including Ricky Skaggs and Rosanne Cash joined the label.
Blackburn also was one of the 11-member founding council of Leadership Music, the music industry educational organization created in 1989. In 1982, Blackburn served as president of the Country Music Association’s Board of Directors. He was the the association’s chairman in 1986.
Blackburn was retired.
He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Suzanne “Suzie” McLellan Blackburn of Franklin, and brother, Roger Blackburn of Kentucky.
A private service will be held at a later date in Cincinnati, his childhood home. No public services are planned at this time.
Didn't Blackburn get his name on a couple of hits as co-writer?

Ray Arthur
busgal
2012-12-04 16:14:43 UTC
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whoops I thought it was 76
c***@gmail.com
2018-11-07 18:04:57 UTC
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Was Rick Blackburn the man who had a disability?
c***@gmail.com
2018-11-07 18:06:02 UTC
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Was Rick Blackburn the man who had a disability?

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