Singer-songwriter and former Vice President of A&R at Capitol Records, Larry Willoughby, has passed. He was 73.
According to a social media post from Luke Bryan, whose early career was greatly influenced by Willoughby, the Nashville music executive died from complications due to COVID.
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Willoughby was a country recording artist himself in the ’80s. He released his debut album, Building Bridges, in 1984. The title track reached the Top 60 of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, and was covered in 2006 by Brooks & Dunn, whose version peaked at No. 4. Another single from the album, “Heart on the Line (Operator, Operator),” was covered by Eddy Raven as “Operator, Operator.”
Willoughby’s songs have been recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys, Waylon Jennings and his cousin Rodney Crowell.
Kobalt Nashville GM Jesse Willoughby is the son of Larry Willoughby.
Memorial arrangements have not yet been announced.
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