Oral history interview with Wesley Rose; 1984. 1984.

ArchivalResource

Rose, Wesley;. Oral history interview with Wesley Rose; 1984.

Oral history interview with Wesley Rose; 1984. 1984.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/62297606

Music industry executive Wesley Rose talks about the relationship between the Nashville business community and the performing rights societies, focusing on BMI. Discussion includes his music background; his move to Nashville in 1945 to join his father at Acuff-Rose; the formation of Acuff-Rose; the formation of Milene Music; Acuff-Rose's BMI affiliation and memories of BMI executive Bob Burton; comments on BMI's success in the country music field; the importance of BMI and ASCAP to music publishers; memories of meeting Hank Williams for the first time; signing Hank to Acuff-Rose as a writer and the decision to record him as a singer; the start of BMI's Nashville Plan; pitching country songs to Mitch Miller and selecting country songs for pop recordings; the history of BMI in Nashville; the business atmosphere in Nashville; Frances Preston's work as head of the BMI office in Nashville; the impact of Elvis Presley on country music; the songwriting team of Boudleaux and Felice Bryant; the rapport between BMI and its writers; changes in the country music industry and the push for crossover hits; and comments on the way he runs his business.

Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center