Hubert
Long

Hubert Long was one of the most influential country music executives of his day. As a leader in the industry, and through his roles as talent promoter and music publisher, he helped to spread country music worldwide.

Starting with Decca, RCA Victor, and Colonel Tom Parker

Long grew up in Freer, Texas, and later relocated to Corpus Christi, where he worked in the record department of a dime store. After boosting record sales, he moved on to San Antonio to work for Decca Records. When his Decca boss went to RCA Victor Records, Long followed. While with RCA, he met Colonel Tom Parker, who hired him to do publicity work for Eddy Arnold.

A trailblazing talent agency

In the early 1950s, Long staked out the Louisiana Hayride and signed Webb Pierce and Faron Young to management contracts. In 1952 he established the Hubert Long Agency to expand his talent bookings, and in 1955 Long set up one of Nashville’s first independent talent agencies, Stable of Stars. Throughout the following years, he became involved in many aspects of the industry including advertising, music publishing, and real estate, while still continuing in artist management and booking.

His Moss Rose company published early hits by Connie Smith (“Once A Day”) and Bill Anderson (“I Love You Drops”) and administered the copyrights of smaller companies, such as Marijohn Wilkins’ Buckhorn Music (“One Day at a Time”). Long’s booking clients included Charlie Walker, Tammy Wynette, Mel Tillis, and other leading talents.

Long was a founding board member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Country Music Foundation (CMF). He received the country music industry’s highest honor when he was elected posthumously to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1979.

–Don Roy

– Adapted from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s Encyclopedia of Country Music, published by Oxford University Press.