Bill Lowery
Encyclopedia
Bill Lowery was an American music entrepreneur.
. He studied radio dramatics at Taft Junior College
and went on to a number of radio-announcing jobs. At age 21 he was hired to direct the construction and programming of WBEJ
, a radio station in Elizabethton, Tennessee
.
In the early 1950s, Lowery was the top country music
disc jockey
in America. He also was a pioneer TV host on Atlanta television. A diagnosis of cancer in 1951 (which he ultimately survived) left Lowery wondering how to provide for his family, and he decided to go into the music publishing business. Although the music industry told Lowery that no music company could be based anywhere but New York, Chicago, Nashville, or Los Angeles, he believed that Atlanta could be a true music city. Together with an associate, Dennis "Boots" Woodall, Lowery formed Lowery Music Company and was involved in independent record production and promotion. Early hit songs published by Lowery Music included a string of country music hits for major labels, but two of the most notable Lowery Music songs were early rockabilly
hits: "Be Bop A Lula" by Gene Vincent
& His Blue Caps, and "Young Love", recorded by both Sonny James
and movie actor Tab Hunter
. Lowery is credited with being involved in the earliest recordings of Ray Stevens
and Jerry Reed
for Capitol Records
.
in Atlanta. To raise capital, sales of "founder's contracts" were made by a group headed by Ray Griggers. NRC initially recorded at WGST Radio studios, until stock sales allowed NRC to set up its record pressing plant, record distributorship, and recording studio, with Ray Stevens, Joe South
and Jerry Reed as the staff band. Despite early hit records such as "Robbin' The Cradle" by Tony Bellus, as well as manufacturing and distribution of other labels, NRC was forced into bankruptcy in April, 1961. Lowery called NRC "his only failure".
. Artists with whom Lowery was connected include (but are not limited to): Joe South, Jerry Reed, Ray Stevens, Mac Davis
, Tommy Roe
, Atlanta Rhythm Section
, Dennis Yost & Classics IV
, Backalley Bandits and Billy Joe Royal
.
Lowery died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, after a four-month battle with cancer.
Early successes
Lowery was born in Leesville, LouisianaLeesville, Louisiana
Leesville is a city in and the parish seat of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 6,753 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fort Polk South Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to the Fort Polk U.S. Army installation...
. He studied radio dramatics at Taft Junior College
Taft College
Taft College is a public community college located in Taft, California. Taft College is a part of the California Community Colleges system and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.The college was founded on...
and went on to a number of radio-announcing jobs. At age 21 he was hired to direct the construction and programming of WBEJ
WBEJ
WBEJ is a radio station licensed to Elizabethton, Tennessee, USA, the station serves the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol area. The station is currently owned by Cb Radio....
, a radio station in Elizabethton, Tennessee
Elizabethton, Tennessee
Elizabethton is the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee, United States. Elizabethton is also the historical site both of the first independent American government located west of both the Eastern Continental Divide and the original thirteen British American colonies.Elizabethton is also the...
.
In the early 1950s, Lowery was the top country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
in America. He also was a pioneer TV host on Atlanta television. A diagnosis of cancer in 1951 (which he ultimately survived) left Lowery wondering how to provide for his family, and he decided to go into the music publishing business. Although the music industry told Lowery that no music company could be based anywhere but New York, Chicago, Nashville, or Los Angeles, he believed that Atlanta could be a true music city. Together with an associate, Dennis "Boots" Woodall, Lowery formed Lowery Music Company and was involved in independent record production and promotion. Early hit songs published by Lowery Music included a string of country music hits for major labels, but two of the most notable Lowery Music songs were early rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
hits: "Be Bop A Lula" by Gene Vincent
Gene Vincent
Vincent Eugene Craddock , known as Gene Vincent, was an American musician who pioneered the styles of rock and roll and rockabilly. His 1956 top ten hit with his Blue Caps, "Be-Bop-A-Lula", is considered a significant early example of rockabilly...
& His Blue Caps, and "Young Love", recorded by both Sonny James
Sonny James
James Loden , known professionally as Sonny James, is an American country music singer and songwriter best known for his 1957 hit, "Young Love". Dubbed the Southern Gentleman, James had 72 country and pop chart hits from 1953 to 1983, including a five-year streak of 16 straight among his 23 No. 1...
and movie actor Tab Hunter
Tab Hunter
Tab Hunter is an American actor, singer, former teen idol and author who has starred in over forty major films.-Background:...
. Lowery is credited with being involved in the earliest recordings of Ray Stevens
Ray Stevens
Ray Stevens is an American country music, pop singer-songwriter who has become known for his novelty songs.-Early career:...
and Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed Hubbard , known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country music singer, innovative guitarist, songwriter, and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films...
for Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
.
NRC days
In 1958, Lowery formed National Recording CorporationNational Recording Corporation
-Early years:National Recording Corporation was incorporated in Atlanta in 1958. Founders were Bill Lowery, at the time the number one Country Music disc jockey and already a successful music publisher, and Boots Woodall, whose band recorded for Capitol, King, and Bullet Records and performed on...
in Atlanta. To raise capital, sales of "founder's contracts" were made by a group headed by Ray Griggers. NRC initially recorded at WGST Radio studios, until stock sales allowed NRC to set up its record pressing plant, record distributorship, and recording studio, with Ray Stevens, Joe South
Joe South
Joe South is a multi-talented American singer-songwriter and guitarist.-Career:...
and Jerry Reed as the staff band. Despite early hit records such as "Robbin' The Cradle" by Tony Bellus, as well as manufacturing and distribution of other labels, NRC was forced into bankruptcy in April, 1961. Lowery called NRC "his only failure".
Later years
Lowery continued in music publishing, along with studio ownership, and artist management of a list of successful artists. Prior to his death, Lowery Music was sold to Sony/ATV Music Publishing. His work with the Friends of Georgia Music organization assured that Georgia-based artists would be honored in the Georgia Music Hall of FameGeorgia Music Hall of Fame
The Georgia Music Hall of Fame, located in downtown Macon, Georgia, preserves and interprets the state's rich musical heritage through programs of collection, exhibition, education and performance...
. Artists with whom Lowery was connected include (but are not limited to): Joe South, Jerry Reed, Ray Stevens, Mac Davis
Mac Davis
Mac Davis is a country music singer, songwriter, and actor originally from Lubbock, Texas who has enjoyed much crossover success...
, Tommy Roe
Tommy Roe
Tommy Roe is an American pop music singer-songwriter.Best-remembered for his hits "Sheila" and "Dizzy" , critic Bill Dahl wrote that Roe was "widely perceived as one of the archetypal bubblegum artists of the late 1960s, but Roe cut some pretty decent rockers along the way, especially early in his...
, Atlanta Rhythm Section
Atlanta Rhythm Section
The Atlanta Rhythm Section, sometimes abbreviated ARS, is an American southern rock band. In 1970 former members of the Candymen and the Classics IV joined together and became the session band for the newly opened Studio One in Doraville, Georgia....
, Dennis Yost & Classics IV
Classics IV
The Classics IV were a band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, United States, in 1965, given credit for beginning the "soft southern rock" sound...
, Backalley Bandits and Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal
Billy Joe Royal is an American singer.-Biography:Born in Valdosta and raised in Marietta in 1942, Royal became a local star at Savannah, Georgia's Bamboo Ranch in the 1950s and 1960s...
.
Lowery died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, after a four-month battle with cancer.