Bluegrass singer and Country Music Hall of Fame member, Mac Wiseman, passed away on Sunday, February 24th, at age 93.
Wiseman’s untimely death was confirmed Monday morning by the CMA. Their CEO, Sarah Trahern, released a statement breaking the news to the world. “Mac Wiseman was not only a key figure in the history of Country Music, but also in the history of our organization. I enjoyed my personal relationship with Mac, and both he and Jo Walker Meador shared rich stories of the early days of CMA. Mac made a broad impact on both the music and business sides of our industry. He deeply understood how Country Music worked thanks to his eclectic history, and he was an early adopter of the idea that our format is strengthened when we all step into the circle together.” Known as “The Voice with a Heart,” Wiseman was one of the founders of the Country Music Association in 1958, also serving as the association’s Board of Directors’ first secretary. He left an indelible mark on the genre for over 60 years as a recording artist, radio DJ and record label executive.
Wiseman co-founded the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) in 1986. Several years later, in 1993, he was inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. In 2008, Wiseman was named a National Heritage Fellowship recipient and in 2014 was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He is survived by his five children. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
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