1978

EMORY GORDY JR.

Emory Gordy and I first worked together in The Cherry Bombs. He already had great credibility as a session bass player in Los Angeles, for playing on records with not only Emmylou Harris, but also Billy Joel, Elvis, and many other huge stars.

After signing Patty Loveless to MCA Nashville, I enlisted Emory to co-produce her record because I was still a novice producer at that point. It was one of the best decisions I ever made, for everyone involved. He and I co-produced Patty’s first platinum album, Honky Tonk Angel, in 1988. And eventually we’d collaborate on three albums with Patty.

After the promotion and marketing department at MCA began to cool their interest in Patty, Emory asked if he could pursue a deal for her at CBS Nashville, who had serious interest in Patty. I guess it was the musician-caring side of me that thought I should agree to let Patty go, and that it would probably be best for her career. And it definitely was!

Emory would go on to produce the best music Patty had ever made on CBS. In hindsight, it may look like a bad decision on my part to lose Patty Loveless to a competitive label. But I looked at it as me helping an artist achieve the success she so deserved. The only way to do that was to sacrifice her, and for her not to be on my MCA roster. I’m happy I let her go because her music will be remembered forever.

“CUN-DA-LOW SHUN-DA-LAY”

Emory Gordy Jr.

Anderson East, Miranda Lambert, me, Emory Gordy Jr., Patty Loveless, and Ashley Monroe.

EMORY GORDY: A GREAT BASS PLAYER, BUT THE BEST COUNTRY MUSIC BASS PLAYER.