Don Law: The Man Behind the Music

Don Law was one of the most important figures in the history of American music. A major force in the development of country music and rock and roll, he was also a successful record producer, promoter, and entrepreneur. This blog tells the story of his life and career.

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Don Law: The Man Behind the Music

Don Law was born in 1903 in Douglas, Arizona. He began his career in the music industry in the 1920s, working as a talent scout for Columbia Records. He is credited with discovering and signing some of the biggest names in country music, including Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.

In the 1950s, Law relocated to Nashville and became one of the most successful music producers in the city. He produced records for a who’s who of country music stars, including Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and Willie Nelson. Law also helped to launch the careers of several young singers, including Dolly Parton and Kris Kristofferson.

Law retired from the music business in the 1970s, but he left behind a rich legacy. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1986 and was posthumously inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.

The Life and Times of Don Law

Don Law was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1896. He began his career in the music industry working as a salesman for the Victor Talking Machine Company. In 1921, he moved to New York City and went to work for Okeh Records. He eventually became the head of A&R for Okeh and was responsible for signing some of the most influential blues and jazz artists of the 1920s, including Louis Armstrong, Bessie Smith, and Duke Ellington.

In 1928, Law partnered with Columbia Records executive Frank Walker to form their own record label, Bounty Records. The label became known for releasing a wide range of music, from country and western to Latin and Hawaiian. One of their most successful artists was Jimmie Rodgers, who Law signed in 1929. Rodgers went on to become one of the best-selling country music artists of all time.

In 1931, Law and Walker dissolved their partnership and Law returned to work for Columbia Records. He remained there for the next 30 years, during which time he helped sign and produce many successful artists, including Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen, and Bruce Springsteen.

Law retired from Columbia in 1961 and died in 1968 at the age of 72.

Don Law: The Early Years

Don Law was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1893. His parents were both immigrants from Ireland. He left school at the age of 15 to work in a shoe factory. A few years later, he started working in a music store. It was during this time that he began to develop an interest in music.

In 1918, Law married Zelda Sherman. The couple had two children: Donald and Robert. In 1921, Law and his family moved to New York City. It was here that he began working as a music booker and promoter.

Law quickly became successful in the music business. In 1929, he founded the Don Law Company, a booking and promotions agency. He also started working with Columbia Records as a talent scout and producer. During the 1930s and 1940s, Law helped to launch the careers of many famous musicians, including Bob Wills, Woody Guthrie, and Hank Williams.

In 1950, Law moved back to Boston. He continued to work in the music business until his death in 1971.

Don Law: The Music Mogul

Don Law was one of the most influential figures in country music history. As the founder of Columbia Records’ country music division, he helped to launch the careers of some of the biggest names in the genre, including Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash. He also played a key role in promoting the Nashville sound, which helped to bring country music into the mainstream. Law passed away in 2011, but his legacy continues to live on through the artists he helped to shape.

Don Law: The Legend

Don Law was one of the most influential figures in the history of country music. He was a record producer, promoter, and talent scout who helped launch the careers of some of the biggest names in the industry. He also played a pivotal role in popularizing country music outside of the United States.

Born in rural Massachusetts in 1899, Law got his start in the music business working for record companies in Boston and New York City. In 1927, he relocated to Nashville and soon established himself as one of the most important figures in the country music scene. He signed some of the biggest stars of the era, including Roy Acuff, Hank Snow, and Ernest Tubb. He also promoted country music concerts and tours, helping to spread the genre’s popularity beyond its traditional base in the southeastern United States.

Law continued to work in country music until his death in 1971. During his career, he helped shape the sound and style of country music, and his work had a lasting impact on the genre. Today, he is celebrated as one of the most important figures in country music history.

Don Law: The Producer

Don Law was born in rural Massachusetts in 1904. His father was a Methodist minister and his mother a piano teacher. After high school, he attended Boston University, where he majored in English and minored in music. He graduated in 1926, and the following year he married Gertrude Pelletier, with whom he would have three children.

Don Law’s first job out of college was as a reporter for the Boston Herald. He then went on to work as a publicist for several local bands and performers, including Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra. In 1932, he began working for the Victor Talking Machine Company (which would later become RCA Victor) as a talent scout and producer. It was during this time that he discovered and signed such artists as Bing Crosby, Glenn Miller, and Fred Astaire.

In 1940, Don Law moved to New York City to head up RCA Victor’s newly formed Popular Music Division. Over the next decade, he would produce some of the most successful recordings by such artists as Perry Como, Eddie Fisher, Jim Reeves, and Brook Benton. He also worked with a number of country music artists, including Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash.

In 1950, Don Law was named Vice President of RCA Victor’s pop music division. He continued to produce hit records for a number of artists throughout the 1950s and 1960s before retiring from the record business in 1968. He died in 1991 at the age of 86.

Don Law: The Innovator

Don Law was one of the most innovative and influential figures in the history of music. A visionary producer and executive, he helped shape the sound of popular music in the 20th century.

Born in 1899 in rural Massachusetts, Law began his career as a booking agent for vaudeville acts. He soon transitioned into the music business, working as a talent scout and producer for various record labels. In the 1930s, he moved to Nashville, where he helped launch the careers of country music stars like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline.

In the 1940s, Law relocated to New York City, where he produced records for some of the biggest names in jazz, including Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday. He also worked with popular performers like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby.

Law’s greatest achievement came in the 1950s, when he produced records by rock ‘n’ roll pioneers like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis. These artists changed the sound of popular music forever, and Law played a pivotal role in their success.

Sadly, Don Law died in 1971, at the age of 72. But his legacy continues to live on through the records he helped create.

Don Law: The Visionary

Don Law was born in 1899 in rural Maine. He moved to Boston as a young man and found work as a clerk in a music store. He soon recognized the potential of recorded music and became involved in the business, working as a talent scout and producer. In the 1930s, he founded the record label Commonwealth United, which produced some of the most popular recordings of the day. He also promoted concerts and managed several successful artists.

In the 1940s, Law joined forces with another record producer, Jim Denny, to form the Country Music Association (CMA). The CMA was instrumental in promoting country music and bringing it to a wider audience. Law served as its president for many years and was widely respected for his knowledge and taste.

Law continued to work in the music business until his death in 1971. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame posthumously in 1972.

Don Law: The Man Behind the Music (Part 2)

In the early days of his career, Don Law was known as a music promoter. He helped to bring country music to a wider audience by booking artists such as Hank Williams and Patsy Cline for shows in major cities. But it was his work with the folk music scene of the 1960s that earned him lasting acclaim.

Law first became interested in folk music while working as a booking agent in Boston. He began to book shows for folk musicians such as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan, and he soon became one of the most important figures in the folk music world. Law helped to launch the careers of many major folk artists, and he also produced several influential folk music albums, including Dylan’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan and Baez’s Joan Baez in Concert.

In recent years, Law has been involved in a number of musical projects, including producing an album of traditional Chinese music. He has also been working on a documentary film about his life and career. The film, entitled Don Law: The Man Behind the Music, is currently in production.

Don Law: The Legacy

Don Law was one of the most influential and important figures in the history of country music. A Producer, Promoter, and Manager, Law helped to shape the sound and style of country music in the 20th century. He helped to launch the careers of some of country music’s most iconic artists, including Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, and Johnny Cash. Law’s work in the music industry was groundbreaking, and his legacy continues to impact country music today.