SHORT TAKES : Country Music Publisher Dies

Music publishing pioneer Wesley Rose, a “cornerstone” of the country music industry who helped launch the careers of such balladeers as Hank Williams and Marty Robbins, died Thursday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 72.

Rose was the founding chairman of the Country Music Assn. and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Under his management, Acuff-Rose Publishing, which was founded in 1942 by his father, Fred Rose, and country singer Roy Acuff, became the largest and most well-respected music publishing firm in Nashville.

Acuff-Rose was bought by Opryland Management Group in 1985, reportedly for $20 million. The publishing house is considered to hold more major song titles than any other firm on Music Row. Among its classics are “Rocky Top,” “Tennessee Waltz,” “Elvira,” “Sweet Dreams,” “Release Me,” “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and the entire catalogue of Hank Williams.

Rose retired after selling Acuff-Rose. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1986.