Celebration of Life For Rick Blackburn To Be Held April 27

Rick Blackburn 11-19-90. Photo: Alan Mayor

A Celebration of Life will be held for music executive Rick Blackburn will be held April 27 in Blackburn’s hometown of Milford, Ohio.

Blackburn, who passed away Nov. 30, 2012, is survived by his wife Suzie. According to a release, it was Blackburn’s wish that friends and former classmates gather for a time of fun and fellowship. They have also extended an invitation to the event to Blackburn’s friends and colleagues in Nashville.

The Celebration of life will be held at 6 p.m. at the Victor Stier American Legion (450 Victor Stier Drive, Milford, Ohio). Dress will be casual. Refreshments will include a meal/hos d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Reservations are not required, but an RSVP would be appreciated.

To RSVP, e-mail Linda Powers or call 513-831-6556.

As the head of the Columbia and Epic imprints of CBS Records in 1980-87, Blackburn launched major hits for such stars as Ricky Skaggs, Rosanne Cash, Willie Nelson, Exile, Ricky Van Shelton, Merle Haggard, Chet Atkins, Vern Gosdin, Crystal Gayle, the Gatlins, Janie Fricke, Mickey Gilley, Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley, George Jones, Charly McClain, Lacy J. Dalton, Rodney Crowell and more.

While Blackburn was in charge of Atlantic Records in 1989-99, the label made radio stars of John Michael Montgomery, Neal McCoy, Confederate Railroad and Tracy Lawrence.

Richard Norman Blackburn was born Nov. 16, 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Richard and Norma Horne Blackburn. He began his career promoting pop records in his hometown. He worked for Mercury Records in Chicago in 1965, then moved to CBS in New York in 1968.

Beginning in 1970, he helped run Ode Records with Lou Adler and Herb Alpert in Los Angeles. The company’s roster included Cheech & Chong, Carole King and Spirit. It also marketed the soundtrack to The Rocky Horror Picture Show.