Thought I would share this with you all....from Marty Martel....nice words on the passing of a true Music Row original....promotion man extraordinaire!
Nick Hunter Passes
Sometimes when I send out sad news of the passing of someone I know in the music industry, it is difficult to do, but this time it is even more difficult because it is one of my dearest friends. Chuck Rhodes called me to give me the news that our dear friend Nick Hunter had passed away. Nick had been diagnosed with cancer a few months ago. To say that I was shocked is an understatement, because both Chuck and I, and so many others did not expect this. When it is sudden, then it carries with it an impact that digs deep into your mind and heart. I spoke with Nick about 3-4 weeks ago and he was busy on the phone, as he always is or on his computer, and he sounded strong to me, and he said he would call me right back, but….
Nick was so instrumental in my days when I first got off of the road from touring. If it were not for Nick’s advice and support, I would have never been able to handle Johnny PayCheck, because without Nick I know that Johnny would have never been as successful as he was, and Nick was always there for Johnny even when I had the complete Johnny PayCheck package of friend, confidante, talent agent, manager, and whatever Johnny needed. Sometimes I was at a loss of what I needed to do, so when I could not get the job done for Johnny because of lack of knowledge or whatever I did not understand, Nick was always there for me. When I first started in management Nick was a mentor to me, and because of his advice to me, he made me look as though I had been doing this all of my life. I know in my mind that there would be no Johnny PayCheck if it were not for his friend Nick Hunter.
I will miss him as much as anyone. He was a great baseball mind, I mean great. Years ago when the Nashville Predators came to town, he was friends with one of the people that worked at now Bridgestone Arena, and he would get comp tickets to the hockey games, and he told them that he was not into hockey, but he knew of a Yankee from up North who loved the game, and he gave me the tickets. He is my friend and I am saddened at his tremendous loss.
Nick was instrumental in creating a place for some of country music’s greatest legends and I can attest to that, because he gave me a deal to sign Ray Price, and Ray recorded one of his greatest albums, if not the greatest, for Audium Records, because Nick believed in the name Ray Price. Country Radio was never smart enough to give many of these legends that signed with Koch Records the air time that they deserved, but the records were great and many legends would not have been back in the studio if it were not for Nick Hunter. Not just the legends, but his radio promotion expertise for new artists on several of the large record labels, was as strong as anyone ever was in radio promotion.
He has left his positive mark on the country music industry and he has left his mark on so many of us that will never forget him. I know that he is now in a better place, and when we gather to pay our respects to Nick, the stories will be filled with memories, laughter, and sadness. I always told him that when he gave me advice, just to put it on the cuff, and now I will always owe him for being there for me whenever I needed him. Friends are hard to come by, but I had a friend and Nick Hunter is his name. I will let everyone know when there will be a service for Nick.
PLEASE KEEP NICK IN YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND ALSO HIS WIFE MARGIE, DAUGHTER KATE, AND HIS SON, SAME.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
Longtime label executive Nick Hunter passed away early this morning (12/15). He was diagnosed with cancer a few months ago and friends report he fought the disease with grace.
Hunter’s career in radio promotion and sales included time among the top leadership at Warner Bros. Records, Giant Records, and as General Manager of Koch Records.
On Sunday (12/12), Hunter enjoyed a jovial visit with friends and industry colleagues Al Cooley, Neal Spielberg and Jack Purcell.
Friends say Hunter’s devotion to baseball was second only to his commitment to his family. He was a passionate music lover who was said to have an encyclopedic knowledge of the Nashville music business.
He is survived by wife Margie, daughter Kate and son Sam.
Services are pending.
Comments
Post a Comment