George Strait Mourns Loss Of Longtime Friend, Manager In Heartfelt Tribute

George Strait mourned the loss of his longtime friend and former manager, Erv Woolsey. Woolsey died on Wednesday morning (March 20) following complications from a recent surgery. He was 80.

Strait posted a photo of the two of them, remembering Woolsey as his manager for more than four decades, and “most importantly my friend for even longer.” The Texas-born country music legend said his longtime friend “was a very tough man,” and he’ll never forget the memories he shares with him.

“My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer, Erv Woolsey, passed away this morning,” Strait said in a statement posted on Wednesday afternoon. “He had complications from a surgery and just couldn’t overcome it. He was a very tough man, and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much. We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won’t ever be the same without him.”

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon in Woolsey’s memory. Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, credited Woolsey’s savvy and determination as a reason Strait is the legend he is today. The Nashville, Tennessee-based Hall of Fame posted a photo from 1991 taken by Beth Gwinn, capturing Bruce Hinton of MCA Nashville, Strait and Woolsey.

“Without the savvy and determination of Erv Woolsey, we may never have heard of George Strait,” Young said in a statement. “Erv heard Strait in a Texas bar in 1975 and was an immediate fan and proponent, when others said the singer sounded too traditional. Later, as an MCA Records exec, Erv pushed the label to sign Strait in 1981. And when execs urged Strait to change his image and his sound, Erv as his manager backed Strait’s resolve to stay true to himself. You know the rest. Strait became a superstar who filled stadiums, and together Strait and Erv helped lead country music back to its traditions. All of us owe Erv Woolsey an enormous debt of gratitude for leading with his convictions and always supporting artists and new talent.”