Biography

Music industry executive. Born February 24, 1902. Died December 20, 1982. Worked under American Records Corporation country producer Uncle Art Satherley from mid-1930s until Satherley’s leaving ARC successor Columbia Records in 1952. Head of Columbia’s country music division during the 1950s-mid-1960s. His artist roster included Johnny Horton, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Lefty Frizzell, Carl Smith, and Ray Price. Retired from Columbia in 1967. Member, Country Music Hall of Fame®.

Interview Summary

1975 May 14
(1 hour, 34 minutes)
Music industry executive Don Law gives an overview of his career. Discussion includes his childhood and early career; his arrival in the United States in the 1920s; his start in the record business with Brunswick Records; comments on his early sales experience; recruiting recording talent; working with Art Satherley; managing chain store sales for Columbia; managing Columbia’s country department and the growth of Columbia’s country sales; Columbia’s purchase of Nashville’s Bradley Film and Recording Studios in 1962; his retirement from Columbia; work as an independent producer; comments on artists he produced; his work recruiting blues artists, including Robert Johnson; leadership of Columbia’s country department after his retirement; and comments on Columbia’s country operation during the 1940s and 1950s.