Feb 1, 2004 12:00 PM, By Rick Clark

On November 22, 2003, one of Nashville's best-loved visionaries in the rock and alt-country communities, Jack Emerson, passed away from a heart attack. Emerson had been battling a respiratory ailment for a number of months.

Emerson was the original bassist for Jason and The Scorchers, a band that drew from the soul of Hank Williams-style country and fueled it with the raw, reckless energy of the Sex Pistols. Emerson would eventually ditch the bass and become the band's manager, helping them release their first early '80s recordings on Emerson's Praxis imprint, which he started in 1982. With partners Andy McLenon and Kay Clary, he made Praxis one of the hottest artist development and management enterprises in the South. Ultimately, Emerson would land the Scorchers on EMI America, as well as elevate the Georgia Satellites from a regional act to worldwide success with hits like “Keep Your Hands to Yourself” and “Battleship Chains.” As Southeast A&R for A&M and later Zoo Entertainment/BMG, Emerson and Praxis worked with John Hiatt during his landmark Bring the Family album, released Billy Joe Shaver's acclaimed Tramp on Your Street, and elevated the recording careers of Webb Wilder, Sonny Landreth, Steve Forbert, Tim Krekel and The Sluggers, Matthew Sweet and others.

In 1995, Emerson formed E-Squared Records, a desirable imprint for roots and Americana artists, with Steve Earle. The label's roster ultimately included 6 String Drag, Cheri Knight, Ross Rice and Marah, as well as five of Earle's albums. In 1999, Emerson and Earle signed a substantial deal with Danny Goldberg's Artemis Records.

Emerson, a huge fan of The Kinks, recently spearheaded the critically acclaimed This Is Where I Belong: The Songs of Ray Davies & The Kinks, which featured artists such as Matthew Sweet, Fountains of Wayne, Steve Forbert, Josh Rouse and Yo La Tengo. In the world of film, Emerson was also the executive producer of the film soundtrack for You Can Count on Me, winner of Best Picture and Best Screenplay at the Sundance Film Festival.

Donations may be made to the MusiCares Foundation, 615/327-0050.

Send Your “Current” News to Sarah Benzuly at sbenzuly@primediabusiness.com.

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