the legacy of eugene 'ervine' woolsey
Erv Woolsey, a former music executive, entrepreneur, and longtime manager for Country Music Hall of Fame Member, George Strait, passed away March 20th, 2024.
Born Eugene Ervine Woolsey, the Texas native began his career in the music industry in Decca Records' promotion department. Making his way to Nashville in 1973, he took on the role of Head of Promotions for ABC Records' Country division.
From there, he moved to MCA during the 1980's, working closely with an array of acts, including future Country Music Hall of Famers Barbara Mandrell, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, and more, before leaving the records industry in 1984 to manage then up-and-comer George Strait.
The pair enjoyed a nearly five decades long partnership that saw Strait become one of the most revered artists in Country Music history. With Woolsey be his side, Strait secured two ACM Entertain of the Year Awards, as well as notched more than 60 No. 1 songs and sold over 105 million albums.
Woolsey's mark on modern Country Music extends beyond just Strait, also managing a number of hitmakers throughout his career, including Dierks Bentley, Ronnie Milsap, Clay Walker, and Lee Ann Womack.
Woolsey eventually returned to the bar business, launching Losers, a bar franchised that has expanded to four locations, including Las Vegas. Woolsey's nightclub business grew to include two more Nashville clubs, Winners and The Dawghouse.
