Jim Denny (Opry manager)

James Rae Denney (later Denny 28 February 1911 — 27 August 1963) was an American music executive with the National Life and Accident Insurance Company between 1939 and 1956. During this time period, he became the head of the Artists Service Bureau for WSM in 1946 and started Cedarwood Publishing Company with Webb Pierce in 1954. When Denny left National Life in 1956. he continued working at Cedarwood until he ended his music executive career in 1962. 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 actuary.[2] While with National Life, he worked in side jobs with the Grand Ole Opry including selling tickets and souvenirs between 1939 and 1946.[3] In 1946, Denny began working at WSM as the head of the Artists Service Bureau. While holding his head position at WSM, Denny became the general manager of the Opry in 1951 and partnered with Webb Pierce to create the Cedarwood Publishing Company in 1954. A few years later, Denny left the Artists Service Bureau in 1956 after conflict of interest issues were raised by the WSM.[4][5] After leaving WSM, Denny created the Jim Denny Artist Bureau in 1956 while continuing working at Cedarwood. Denny hired multiple songwriters to write for Cedarwood including Marijohn Wilkin and Carl Perkins while signing a publishing contract with Buddy Holly during the mid 1950s. 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. 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. "Country Music Publisher Dies". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. 27 August 1963. p. 21.
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