LifeNotes: Producer/Director Sherman Halsey Passes

Pictured (L-R): Tim McGraw with Sherman Halsey

[Updated]: No foul play is apparent in the death of Halsey, 56, whose body was found Tuesday evening inside a home on Chickering Road where he had been staying. The Medical Examiner’s Office is attempting to determine cause of death.

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Producer/Director Sherman Halsey died at his home in Nashville.

Halsey was represented by Tacklebox Films for music videos and worked with Moo TV for live events. He worked on television events through his company The Halsey Company. Halsey helped create more than 30 videos for Tim McGraw, including the clips for “Indian Outlaw,” “One of Those Nights,” “When The Stars Go Blue,” “My Little Girl,” “Live Like You Were Dying” and “She’s My Kind of Rain.” Halsey also helmed many of Dwight Yoakam‘s early videos, including “Little Sister,” “Guitars, Cadillacs,” and “Honky Tonk Man,” which earned the distinction of being the first Country music video to be played on MTV. Other artists Halsey worked with include the Oak Ridge Boys, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn and Lorrie Morgan.

Halsey also served as president of Century City Artists and executive VP of The Jim Halsey Company; he guided the careers of artists including Merle Haggard, James Brown, Dwight Yoakam, Ronnie Dunn and others. Halsey is the son of artist manager Jim Halsey, who has been a long-time representative of the Oak Ridge Boys.

Shaun Silva, owner of Tacklebox Films, released a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened to hear of Sherman Halsey’s sudden passing. He was a respected colleague and member of our TackleBox Films’ family. We had the great privilege of representing and working together with Sherman over the course of the last year and he will be greatly missed. Sherman has left us with a great history of creative work and we will always respect his achievements within our industry. I feel very fortunate to have known him as a friend. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”

Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys says, “Sherman Halsey grew up around The Oak Ridge Boys. He was like our little brother. In fact, I called him my ‘little brother.’ Sherman studied the music industry and perfected his gift of capturing the artist in video. He produced almost all of the specials the Oaks have done over the past two decades. He produced our first video, for a song called ‘Easy.’ In fact, he was so far ahead of the market at that time there were no video shows on American television, so we broke the song in Australia. Through the years Sherman became among the elite in producing award-winning videos for many major artists in the music industry. I am at a loss for words to express the shock we Oak Ridge Boys, our staff, band, and crew are feeling. I close these remarks to go meet the family at the airport and do all I can to comfort them. There is a huge hole left in our hearts today. I pray for God to comfort Jim Halsey, our manager; his family and staff; and the many friends of the Halsey family. And, for Sherman, my little brother, may you rest in peace in the arms of Jesus.”

The Oak Ridge Boys also posted a statement on Facebook, saying, “We have lost a long time friend, associate, brother and son! Sherman Halsey has gone home! Rest easy Sherm! We all love you! Pray 4 Jim Halsey.”

No funeral arrangements or details have been released at this time.