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Jim Foglesong Dies
Jim Foglesong, 90, a Country Music Hall of Famer and groundbreaking music executive, died in Nashville July 9.
Foglesong is credited with being a trailblazer of the ’80s and ’90s country music booms. As president of ABC, Capitol and MCA Records, among others, Foglesong signed acts like Garth Brooks, George Strait, Reba, The Oak Ridge Boys, Don Williams and Barbara Mandrell, to name a few.
Foglesong’s last gig was teaching at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music.
Photo: Courtesy CMA
The executive got his start in 1951, transferring 78 RPM discs to new formats at Columbia Records, according to the Tennessean.
By 1973 he had become the president of Dot Records, making him the only president of a major label in Nashville. Dot was eventually bought by ABC, which was bought by MCA, and Foglesong continued to sign iconic performers throughout.