Influential Nashville Engineer Billy Sherrill Passes Away at 77

Although fans tend to remember bands and singers, there is an entire team behind each song, helping the musicians bring it to life. For stars like Kenny Rogers, Kenny Chesney, The Chicks, and The Marshall Tucker Band, they all have engineer Billy Sherrill to thank as he helped propel their careers into the spotlight. A legendary music engineer in Nashville, the music lover sadly passed away on September 10th at 77 years old.

While born in Tennessee, Sherrill watched as his life took him to Kentucky as a young boy. Seeming to always have a love for music, the engineer performed in the band in high school and even college. Sharing a rich history with music, Sherrill eventually met Thomas Wayne, who asked for his help setting up the studio that would become the Sound Shop. During his time there, Sherrill learned a great deal about music and eventually helped record Jean Shepard’s “Slippin’ Away.” Thanks to his work, the album landed in the top five on the country music charts. That moment kickstarted a career for Sherrill that lasted decades.

Eventually joining forces with producer Larry Butler, the duo continued their business relationship, working on albums for Johnny Cash, John Denver, Billie Jo Spears, Dottie West, and numerous others. Working with Rogers, Sherrill and Butler helped bring songs like “The Gambler”, and “Coward of the County” to the airwaves.

[RELATED: Watch the Very Last Song Johnny Cash Performed Live, 2 Months Before the Country Icon’s Death]

Billy Sherrill Inducted Into Musicians Hall Of Fame

While given his success within the music industry, the Audio Engineering Society decided to honor the legacy of Sherrill by presenting him with the Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in Studio Recording & Mixing. He even landed in the Musicians Hall of Fame.

Leaving behind a family and legacy, the Musicians Hall of Fame took a moment to remember the engineer. The organization posted a video of him on Twitter, writing, “The Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum are deeply saddened by the passing of 2019 inductee, Engineer Billy Sherrill. His impact on the industry will never be forgotten. Watch his interview with Joe Chambers, where he talks about the journey of his incredible career.”

(Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)