Bob Burwell, noted Nashville country music executive, passes away at 71

Bob Burwell, a Buffalo-born but Nashville renowned -- and worldwide -- music industry executive, passed away at age 71 on August 13, 2022, in Albany, New York.

The well-regarded executive's impressive music industry career included aiding in managing the careers of the likes of country powerhouse Kenny Rogers and rock titan Steve Vai to also developing the Warner Western record label.

Burwell's work as an artist manager, concert promoter, label executive, and music publisher bridged the country and roots music industries from the 1980s into the 1990s and beyond.

Artists who fell under his influence for management, guidance, and counsel included the previously mentioned Rogers and Vai, plus John Jorgenson, Michael Martin Murphey, Lee Roy Parnell, Leon Russell, Mark Selby, and Dwight Yoakam.

Notably,  Burwell's time with Rogers included the Buffalo native partnering with Ken Levitan -- another New Yorker -- at Vector Management. In 2011, the singer left Jim Dreamcatcher Management and moved (alongside Jason Henke) to work at Vector. Burwell's work specialized in supervising touring and promotional activities.

Notably, touring and promotions significantly impacted Burwell's overall success.

As a collegiate undergrad at SUNY Fredonia, he booked acts like Billy Joel and Hall & Oates before they broke nationally. This early success keyed him to take his first job in Tulsa, Oklahoma, alongside Jim Halsey, at the renowned Jim Halsey Company. His work with generations of country stars, including Roy Clark, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Don Williams, eventually led him to Nashville. In Music City, he worked as an executive and manager at Dreamcatcher Artist Management, Dreamcatcher Records, and Vector Management, among others.

Moreover, Burwell fervently supported rootsier guitar acts via his WestFest concerts, Copper Country Music Festival, and Guitar Town Festival, held in Copper Mountain, Colorado, until 2020. As well, he created the Warner Western record label imprint. Throughout the 1990s, the label released work from Don Edwards, Emmylou Harris, the previously mentioned Murphey, Red Steagall, and more.

Burwell was preceded in death by his father, Robert Burwell, and mother, Mary Lou (Herald) Burwell. He is survived by his wife, Dana Burwell; daughter, Carly Burwell; brother, Mike Burwell; sister, Sue Lundquist; and many cherished nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Visitation will be held at Lester H. Wedekindt Funeral Home in Kenmore, NY (3290 Delaware Ave.) on Friday, August 26, 2022 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 10 a.m. at St. Mark's Lutheran Church Kenmore in Buffalo, NY (576 Delaware Rd.) with interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Silver Creek, NY (12078 Old Main Rd.). Pastor Jeremiah P. Smith will officiate. Lunch at Sunset Grill in Irving, NY (1025 Main Rd.) will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bob's honor to MusiCares, a 501(c)(3) charity founded by the Recording Academy that has provided millions of dollars in health, financial, and rehabilitation resources to music people in times of need. For more information visit http://musicares.org/donations.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bob Burwell, noted Nashville country music executive, passes away at 71