CMT News

Prominent music figure John (Jack) Williams Emerson died at his home in Nashville on Saturday (Nov. 22). Emerson, 43, had been ill with lung and respiratory illness for several months. A native of Naples, Fla., he moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University and began his 20-year tenure in the Nashville music business as co-owner of Praxis International, a record label/artist management/development company which guided the careers of Jason and the Scorchers, the Georgia Satellites, John Hiatt, Webb Wilder, Sonny Landreth, Steve Forbert and others. Emerson then partnered with Steve Earle to form E-Squared Records which released albums by The V-Roys, Cheri Knight, 6 String Drag and Steve Earle & The Del McCoury Band. Emerson's most recent venture was Jack of Hearts Recordings, a label and multi-media company. A memorial service is set for Tuesday (Nov. 25) at Nashville's Belcourt Theatre, with an open house reception at 5 p.m. followed by a ceremony at 6 p.m. 11/24/03