Industry Mourns The Loss Of Warner Music Nashville’s Tom Starr

Starr (Facebook)

ALL ACCESS is saddened to report on the passing of WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE’s TOM STARR, who succumbed to cancer on MONDAY (1/11) after a valiant battle. STARR was first diagnosed in 2019, and after undergoing treatment was able to return to work. He was then diagnosed a second time in JULY of 2020, which prompted a leave of absence from work to focus on his health (NET NEWS 7/16/20).

A veteran of three decades in the music business, working in a variety of radio formats, STARR previously held label jobs at EMI, JIVE, ATLANTIC, ELEKTRA, INTERSCOPE, MCA, CHRYSALIS and SBK RECORDS, and ran his own entertainment consulting, promotion and marketing company, TOM STARR ENTERTAINMENT, from 2009-2014. At WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE, he was Regional Mgr. of Radio & Streaming for the WAR team.

Social media has been flooded with love for STARR, with many industry friends posting memories, photos and tributes. They include WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE artist ASHLEY McBRYDE, who summed up the feelings of many when she wrote, “I really have no words. Rest now my dear friend. You are so loved.”

DAN + SHAY’s DAN SMYERS wrote, “Man, this one hurts. We’re so grateful to have had TOM STARR with us through the majority of our career (including our first #1 song at Country radio), but even more grateful to have called him a friend. We put a million miles on rental cars together, and always bonded over our love for music. Sending so much love to the STARR family and WAR team today. Our hearts are with you. RIP my brother.”

In a statement released late TUESDAY evening, WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE said, "TODAY we mourn the loss of our beloved friend and teammate TOM STARR, who passed away last night. We are devastated by this news, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. We will share further details as they become available while WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE and the Country music community grieve together.”

See a sampling of other tributes to STARR below.

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