Country Music Legend Dead at 80

Erv Woolsey, the man credited with discovering the "King of Country", George Strait, has passed away in Clearwater, FL while in the care of doctors following complications from a recent surgery. 

Strait mourned his friend and partner in a statement: “My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer, Erv Woolsey, passed away this morning. He had complications from a surgery and just couldn’t overcome it. He was a very tough man, and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much. We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won’t ever be the same without him.”

Woolsey had an incredible career and had a hand in many stars careers: Leeann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Ronnie Milsap, and Clay Walker.

In his incredible career, Woolsey was inducted to a number of associations including: the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the International Music Business Association, the Nashville Entertainment Association, and the Nashville Association of Songwriters.

CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kyle Young, celebrated Woolsey in a statement: "Without the savvy and determination of Erv Woolsey, we may never have heard of George Strait," Yound wrote. "Erv heard Strait in a Texas bar in 1975 and was an immediate fan and proponent, when others said the singer sounded too traditional. Later, as an MCA Records exec, Erv pushed the label to sign Strait in 1981. And when execs urged Strait to change his image and his sound, Erv as his manager backed Strait's determination to stay true to himself. You know the rest. Strait became a superstar who filled stadiums, and together Strait and Erv helped lead country music back to its traditions. All of us owe Erv Woolsey an enormous debt of gratitude for leading with his convictions and always supporting artists and new talent."