Pat Rolfe, One Of The First Females To Head A Major Music Row Publishing Company, Has Died

Pat Rolfe, One Of The First Females To Head A Major Music Row Publishing Company, Has Died | Classic Country Music | Legendary Stories and Songs Videos

Pat Rolfe / Facebook

Pat Rolfe, a trailblazer in the music industry, passed away on May 24, leaving behind a legacy that profoundly influenced the music world.

Impact on the Music Industry

Pat Rolfe, one of the first women to lead a major Music Row publishing company, made significant contributions to the industry.

She began her career at Lamar Fike’s Hill & Range, where she worked with legendary artists such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Her tenure as the General Manager of Hill & Range and later as Vice President at Chappell Music showcased her exceptional leadership. During her time at Chappell Music, the company earned the prestigious title of ASCAP Publisher of the Year seven times.

NASHVILLE, TN - MAY 08: Pat Rolfe and Connie Bradley speak onstage during the 2017 AIMP Nashville Awards on May 8, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for AIMP Nashville)
Pat Rolfe speaks onstage during the 2017 AIMP Nashville Awards. Photo: John Shearer / Getty Images

Influence and Legacy

Following her time at Chappell, Rolfe joined ASCAP, where she played a pivotal role in attracting renowned writers such as Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, and the one and only Wynonna Judd.

In 1991, she co-founded SOURCE Nashville, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for women in the entertainment industry, leaving a lasting mark on the music world. SOURCE is the longest-standing organization for women in the Nashville music industry.

Her contributions extended beyond the boardroom as she co-founded the Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament, an event that continues to raise funds for charity annually.

Pat Rolfe peacefully passed away surrounded by her loved ones and is survived by her husband Mack, sons John, Jim, Dick, and numerous grandchildren. SOURCE revealed that plans for her funeral will be announced soon, allowing the music community to come together to honor her remarkable life and contributions to the industry.

Share on Facebook

Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for the Latest Updates