Billy Sherrill

Billy Sherrill, the engineer who was behind the board for hits recorded by Kenny Rogers, Kenny Chesney, The Chicks and many more, passed away on Tuesday (September 10th). He was 77.

Born in west Tennessee and raised for most of his childhood in Paducah, Kentucky, Sherrill was in bands in high school and college. He first got a taste of the recording world when he and the band recorded in a friend’s studio in Benton, Kentucky.

Having connected with Music Row engineer Scotty Morris, Sherrill headed to Nashville after college. Morris introduced him to Thomas Wayne, and Sherrill began to help Wayne set up the studio that became Sound Shop. Soon, Sherrill was making tape copies for publishers on Music Row.

While working at Sound Shop, Sherrill met producer/songwriter Larry Butler, who invited him to work on his first real recording session for Jean Shepard’s “Slippin’ Away” (1973). The record hit the top five on the country charts and garnered more work for Sherrill. It also marked the beginning of his and Butler’s long relationship.

Together the pair worked on hit records for Dottie West, Billie Jo Spears, Ed Bruce, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich, Mac Davis, Mickey Gilley, John Denver, Paul Anka and more. When Butler bought Jack Clement’s studio, Sherrill followed him.

Butler produced and Sherrill engineered many of Kenny Rogers’ hits, including “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” “The Gambler,” “Love Or Something Like It,” “You Decorated My Life” and “Coward of the County.”

Eventually Sherrill went out on his own. He engineered more hit records such as The Chicks’ Grammy-winning Fly album, and a lot of Kenny Chesney’s early work, like hits “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” and “That’s Why I’m Here.” He also served as the sound mixer for the Grand Ole Opry for several years. In 2019, the Audio Engineering Society (AES) presented Sherrill with a Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in Studio Recording & Mixing. He was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame, the same year.

Billy was a member, deacon, sound engineer and instigator of laughter at Brook Hollow Baptist Church for over 30 years.

He is preceded in death by his father Howard Davidson Sherrill and his mother, Mary Nell Sherrill. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Susan (Buck) Sherrill, daughter, Chandler Nicole and son, William “David” Davidson II, and his brother Howard Norris Sherrill (Francis).

Visitation will be Friday, September 20, from 5-7 pm and Saturday, September 21, from 2-4 pm with celebration of life following immediately at 4:00. In Lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Billy’s honor to the Musicians Hall of Fame Donations | Musicians Hall of Fame or Brook Hollow Baptist Church Brook Hollow Baptist Church. Both visitations and service will be at Brook Hollow Baptist Church 678 Brook Hollow Road, 37205.

Obituary written by LB Cantrell, Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow Magazine.

https://tasteofcountry.com/nashville-engineer-billy-sherrill-dead-dies/

https://musicrow.com/2024/09/veteran-engineer-billy-sherrill-passes/

https://x.com/mhfm/status/1834017235787993448

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