LifeNotes: IFCO’s Loudilla Johnson Passes

Loudilla Johnson

Loudilla Johnson, who co-founded the International Fan Club Organization (IFCO) died in Franklin, TN on Wednesday, May 7, at age 75.

Along with her sisters Loretta Johnson (1941-2009) and Kay Johnson, she started the first Loretta Lynn Fan Club in 1963 at their family ranch in Wild Horse, Colo. The club was such a success that other Country stars began asking Lynn how to start and run fan clubs. This led the Johnsons to form IFCO in 1965.

IFCO began as an association of 75 fan clubs. It grew to unite and advise more than 375 such organizations, publish the monthly Tri-Son News periodical, create a website and stage fan-appreciation concerts and talent shows.

In 1968, IFCO put on its first concert at that year’s Country Music Disc Jockey Convention, four years before Fan Fair began. After years of staging its annual shows at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds during Fan Fair, in 1995 IFCO moved its Fun Fest show to The Ryman Auditorium. In recent years, IFCO Fun Fest has been held at venues ranging from The Belcourt Theater to the Cadillac Ranch nightclub.

The Johnson sisters relocated to Nashville in 1991. Fan Fair was re-branded as the CMA Music Festival in 2004.

Over the years, the IFCO Fun Fest has showcased a who’s-who of country entertainers, including Keith Urban, Barbara Mandrell, Charley Pride, Gary Morris, The Bellamy Brothers, Jo Dee Messina, Hal Ketchum, Terri Clark, Marty Stuart, Patty Loveless, Keith Whitley, Johnny Cash, The Oak Ridge Boys, Craig Morgan, Josh Turner, Jason Aldean, Connie Smith, Little Big Town, Chris Young, Lady Antebellum, Joe Diffie, Aaron Tippin, Lynn Anderson and Gene Watson.

IFCO also presented its annual Tex Ritter Award to industry individuals whom the Johnsons viewed as particularly beneficial to fans. Past recipients have included Louise Scruggs, Jim Halsey, Bill Anderson, Maybelle Carter, Ernest Tubb, Charlie Daniels, Porter Wagoner, Irving Waugh, Bud Wendell, Ralph Emery, Faron Young, Sam Lovullo, Crook & Chase, Roy Clark, David McCormick, Conway Twitty, Mae Boren Axton and Mel Tillis.

Because their concert proceeds have always gone to charities, the Johnson Sisters were presented with the Ernest Tubb Humanitarian Award at the 2002 R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) banquet.

Loudilla Johnson is survived by sister Kay Johnson, brother Everett Johnson, sister-in-law Carlene Johnson and by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Private family services will be held.