George Strait Mourns The Loss Of Longtime Manager and Friend, Erv Woolsey: ‘Won’t Ever Be The Same Without Him’
Woolsey. a respected member of the country music community, passed away on Wednesday morning.
Erv Woolsey and George Strait; Photo Courtesy of The Erv Woolsey Co.
George Strait’s longtime manager Eugene Ervine “Erv” Woolsey passed away on the morning of Wednesday, March 20, according to Strait’s publicist. Woosley was 80 years old.
The iconic artist manager, record promo executive, and innovator died in Clearwater, Florida due to complications from surgery. He was under doctor’s care at the time of his death.
Following Woosley’s passing, George Strait issued the following 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.”
Woosley was born in Texas and based in Nashville and helped change the landscape of country music through his time working with artists such as Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker, and Ronnie Milsap.
Born on February 15, 1944, in Houston, Texas, Woolsey dedicated his entire career to the music industry. Following his graduation from Southwest Texas State University in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in business, Woolsey entered the promotion department at Decca Records. Over the years, he held positions at various record labels before relocating to Nashville in 1973. There, he assumed the role of head of promotions for ABC Records’ newly-established Country division, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of artists such as Johnny Rodriguez, Jimmy Buffett, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender, and the Amazing Rhythm Aces.
The course of Woolsey’s career changed when he had the chance to meet George Strait at The Prarie Rose, a club in San Marcos, Texas that owned with his then-wife Connie. He recognized something special in Strait and continued to book him to perform regularly at the club.
After his achievements at ABC, Woolsey embarked on a remarkable journey at MCA throughout the 1980s. He orchestrated consistent radio triumphs for iconic figures in country music, including Barbara Mandrell, Don Williams, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Lee Greenwood.
In 1981, Woolsey played an instrumental role in the signing of George Strait to MCA Records after convincing label head Jim Foglesong to sign him to a recording contract. This led to the release of Strait’s debut single, “Unwound.” MCA Records remains Strait’s label home to this day.
In 1984, Woolsey departed from MCA to fully focus on managing George Strait. Together, they achieved numerous milestones, including Strait’s multiple Entertainer of the Year Awards spanning four decades. Their collaboration reached new heights with the release of the Jerry Weintraub-produced blockbuster film “Pure Country” in 1992, capturing Strait’s magnetic presence on screen. Additionally, their innovative George Strait Country Festival Tours, launched in 1995, demonstrated the genre’s ability to draw massive crowds reminiscent of the Rolling Stones. These tours featured acclaimed artists such as Alan Jackson, The Chicks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Womack, and Asleep at the Wheel.
Strait has maintained his legacy of stadium-filling performances. Despite stepping back from traditional tours, he continues to grace stages at select stadiums across the country each year.
Woolsey was also a songwriter and served as a co-writer on Strait’s iconic No.1 hit, “I Can Still Make Cheyenne.” He also co-wrote “In Too Deep” on Strait’s 1985 release, Something Special.
Alongside his business partner Steve Ford, Erv Woolsey developed several clubs/bars, including Nashville’s Losers, Winners, and the Dawg House.
Most recently, he signed rising artists Ian Munsick, Davisson Brothers Band, Kylie Frey, Triston Marez, Nick Davisson, Zach Neil, Stone Senate, and Vince Herman.
Woolsey was on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association and the Tennessee Museum of History. As a passionate member of the horse racing community, Woolsey was also a Lifetime Member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association.
He is survived by his son Clint, former wife Connie, brother David, and sister Beth. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mavis Woolsey, and brother Johnny Woolsey.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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