Noel Fox, 63; Singer With Oak Ridge Boys Became Music Publisher

Noel Fox, 63, former bass singer with the Oak Ridge Boys who went on to become an executive in the music publishing business, died Thursday in a Nashville hospital following surgery and a series of strokes.

A native of Columbia, Tenn., Fox sang with the group from 1967 to 1972. The Oak Ridge Boys formed as the Oak Ridge Quartet in Knoxville, Tenn., in 1943.

Specializing in country and gospel music, the group has won two Grammys.

Switching to the business end of the music industry, Fox worked as booking agent, talent manager and publisher. In 1978, he began managing the Oak Ridge Boys’ publishing entity, Silverline/Goldline Music Inc. He later served as vice president of MCA Music/Nashville and president of Maypop Music Group, which was owned by members of Alabama.

An early champion of singer-songwriter Steve Earle, Fox signed him to a publishing deal.