Jerry Crutchfield

• Genres: Country
• Instrument: Producer

Biography

Over the course of his half a century's involvement with the music industry Jerry Crutchfield has worn many hats. He's been an artist, a songwriter, a producer and a label head. And in each role he's been one of the most respected men around Nashville. After moving to Nashville in the early '60s, Crutchfield moved his focus from performing on stage to working as a behind the scenes player at Tree publishing. Under Tree owner Buddy Killen's tutelage, Crutchfield's songwriting and producing skills grew to such a level that by the mid-'60s he began MCA Music and built the company into an industry powerhouse with a roster that included Don Schlitz, Gary Burr and Dave Loggins, among others. Continuing to build on his successes, Crutchfield began producing various artists full-time and with one of those artists, Tanya Tucker, it grew into a longterm professional relationship that saw Crutchfield helming much of the teenage singer's output in the '70s. Known throughout the industry as a first class talent scout, Crutchfield takes pride in being able to foster and guide the careers of younger artists in the same way he did with Tucker. He has done this most recently with Nashville artist Tracy Byrd. ~ Steve Kurutz, All Music Guide