1979

JOE GALANTE

In 1982 Joe Galante, the number two man at RCA Nashville, became head of the label when Jerry Bradley retired and passed the torch. Under Joe’s supervision, RCA became a powerhouse. He signed The Judds, and it was Joe who convinced Dolly Parton to do a duet with Kenny Rogers, produced by Barry Gibb, called “Islands in the Stream.” This was an epic collaboration.

It was an exciting time for me to be at RCA. Joe let me co-produce my first country hit, Midnight Fire, with Norro Wilson for Steve Wariner. He also let me sign Alabama and Vince Gill. As a successful A&R guy at RCA, I thought I’d be there forever, but along came Jimmy Bowen, who stole me away for MCA. Jimmy was trying to disarm Joe but it didn’t work. The both of them remained two of the biggest forces in Nashville’s country music industry.

“What a great time at RCA. We were there when the next generation of country stars and sounds began.”

Joe Galante

Mark Bright, Joe Galante, me, and Chuck Ainlay at a Grammy Awards nominee party.

JOE GALANTE: THE POWER BROKER THAT NASHVILLE NEVER SAW COMING.