Jack Emerson 1960-2003

John (Jack) Williams Emerson III, age 43, passed away at his home in Nashville on Saturday, November 22, 2003. He had suffered with lung and respiratory illness for the past several months. He is survived by his wife, Danna Strong, his mother and father Carolyn Buchanan Emerson and John Williams Emerson II of Naples FL, sisters Amy Emerson of Naples FL, and Emily Emerson of Seattle, WA, along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and in laws. Jack was raised in Naples Florida and came to Nashville, TN to attend Vanderbilt University.

Jack began his 20 year tenure in the Nashville music business as co-owner of Praxis International, an independent record label/artist management/ development company. During their fourteen years in operation, Praxis championed 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 notable albums by The V-roys, Cheri Knight, 6 String Drag and Steve Earle & The Del McCoury Band. Emerson's most recent venture is Jack of Hearts Recordings, a label and multi-media company. Jack of Hearts Recordings also provides distribution for Blue Corn Records out of Houston, TX. He was a member of the Americana Music Association, NARAS and an alumni of Leadership Music.

Emerson's musical vision never strayed from the creative and the independent. He was a modern day pioneer for an alternative music scene that is still growing today. He enjoyed literature, collected folk art, and had a tremendous love of the ocean. He was a gentle man with a wonderful sense of humor and will be dearly missed by many.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday, November 25, at the Belcourt Theatre. An open house reception at 5pm will be followed by a ceremony at 6pm. Flowers may be sent to 1104 Sparta Road or a donation may be made to the MUSICARES Foundation (615-327-0050) in his name.

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking….
“THANKS JACK” BENEFIT CONCERT
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12TH @ MERCY LOUNGE
in Nashville, Tennessee
Promotional support provided WRLT- Lightning 100

featuring
JOHN HIATT & THE GONERS
SONNY LANDRETH
STEVE EARLE (backed by the Scorchers)
JASON & THE SCORCHERS
BILLY JOE SHAVER (backed by the Scorchers)
WEBB WILDER & BAND
TIM KREKEL & THE SLUGGERS
Also shorter solo sets by Steve Forbert, Bill Lloyd & Jake Brennan!

Emcee: Rev. Keith Coes from Lightning 100

In an effort to help Jack Emerson’s family defray the medical costs that mounted over the months preceding his untimely passing, many of the artists he worked with over the course of his twenty years in the business have organized a concert at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville on Friday December 12.

Doors 7:00pm, Downbeat @ 8:30pm.

Advance tickets go on sale, Friday December 5 at www.mercylounge.com or by calling 1-800-594-8499. Ticket price is $30 (see note below for making an additional donation beyond the ticket price).

There will also be a silent auction with some irresistible cd collections & box sets, XM Satellite radio system, guitar signed by Billy Joe Shaver and much more. All proceeds go to the family.

If you want to make a donation beyond the ticket price, additional donations will be accepted at the show or can be mailed to:

The Jack Emerson Memorial Fund
c/o Kurt Vitolo
KV Financial Group, P.C.
1808 West End Avenue, Suite 805
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615) 320-5101
Fax: (615) 320-5102
e-mail: kvitolo@kvfinancial.com

Checks can be made payable to the “Jack Emerson Memorial Fund”

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