Jim Williamson Passes At Nashville Home At The Age Of 75

 JIM WILLIAMSON, whose work as an engineer and recording studio owner played a significant role in shaping the careers of many artists in the 20th century, died at his NASHVILLE-area home JANUARY 20th. WILLIAMSON died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

WILLIAMSON, 75, worked in several of NASHVILLE’s legendary studios with artists like BOB DYLAN, LORETTA LYNN, MERLE HAGGARD, JOHNNY CASH and KRIS KRISTOFFERSON. He ran the boards for at least four producers who have been inducted COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME: DON LAW, OWEN BRADLEY, KEN NELSON and BILLY SHERRILL. He also had a hand in conveying to the public such hits as LYNN’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” TAMMY WYNETTE’s “Stand By Your Man,” LYNN ANDERSON’s “Rose Garden” and DYLAN’s Blonde on Blonde album.

During his NASHVILLE recording career, which began in the early 1960s, WILLIAMSON worked at many of the city’s seminal studios, including the COLUMBIA RECORDING STUDIOS—the first recording facility on MUSIC ROW—as well as WOODLAND SOUND STUDIO and the JACK CLEMENT STUDIOS, where he served as studio manager. He was later promoted to President and oversaw a renovation of the building, re-named the SOUND EMPORIUM. In WILLIAMSON’s time at the CLEMENT/SOUND EMPORIUM operation, the studio generated hits by the likes of WAYLON JENNINGS, DON WILLIAMS, GEORGE JONES, WILLIE NELSON and KENNY ROGERS.

“He was one of the finest engineers I ever worked with in NASHVILLE,” said MERLE HAGGARD, who worked with WILLIAMSON for more than 10 years. Their efforts together included “That’s The Way Love Goes,” “Ramblin’ Fever” and “If We Make It Through December.”

“He was a great listener and a father figure to a lot of people,” said GARTH FUNDIS, an associate from the SOUND EMPORIUM who produced DON WILLIAMS, KEITH WHITLEY and TRISHA YEARWOOD. “He was a really awesome man, honest to a fault.”

WILLIAMSON married EDITH FLOWERS in SEPTEMBER 1961. The couple would have celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. His survivors include EDITH; daughter DEBBIE WILLIAMSON, of SAN DIEGO; daughter SUZY PENDER, of NASHVILLE; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The couple also had a son, JIMMY WILLIAMSON, who is deceased.

His body is being cremated. Per his wishes, a private service is being held for his family. No public memorial will be held.

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