Jerry Brackenridge
1943 – November 26, 2009
Jerry Brackenridge was a highly respected sales and marketing executive who spent most of his long music career within the EMI family of companies. Brackenridge was first hired by Capitol during the ’60s and steadily worked his up way through the ranks until eventually landing in the position of Vice President of Field Sales. Over the course of his 38+ year career with EMI, Brackenridge handled sales and marketing for such EMI labels as Capitol, EMI-America, Blue Note, Angel, Rhino, Virgin and dozens more. His hard work and loyalty to his job helped build the careers of such artists as Bob Seger, Tina Turner, the Rolling Stones, Garth Brooks, Radiohead, Coldplay, and countless more. He left the company in 2002. Jerry Brackenridge, 66, died of non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on November 26, 2009.
Jerry was always a gentleman and a consummate professional.
It was a pleasure working with him and knowing him.
Rest in Peace Jerry.
Jerry was a good man and someone you could always count on for advice and support.
I’m sorry to hear of his passing.
My condolences to his friends and family.
RIP Jerry.
Always sad to hear the passing of one of our own. My best to his family. R.I.P. Jerry.
Wow, sad news.
Jerry was the best. He cut right through the bullshit and told it like it was. He had a great sense of humor and on those days when nothing made any sense at all he always knew what to say.
I am sure right now he’s in god’s foursome, hitting ‘em long and straight.
Keep on rockin’ JB
Steve Rosenblatt
Jerry was one of the best people I’ve known. He made everyone around him feel comfortable and respected. He helped countless young people break into the business and showed them “the ropes” by letting them know what was real and what was hype.
Some of my fondest memories on a golf course were my times with Jerry. We had a magical round at Pebble Beach long ago – I will always remember enjoying it with him.
We will miss you JB!
Dave
Jerry was always one of my favorite people back in the CEMA days. Most of our interaction was on the road…lots of trips to Nashville in particular, but also to Orlando, Vegas, Scottsdale, Dallas, Montreal and wherever else they’d send us. Our inside joke was that we were always each in the midst of quitting smoking;but either he or I would carry a pack with us that we’d share. Lots of good times and laughs. Of all the people I’ve known from the music biz, Jerry stands tall for his knowledge,integrity and honesty.
Ed
I had only been working at EMI for a few years when I first met Jerry. I always looked forward to his visits “back east”, he was a nice guy, a wealth of knowledge, and a real class act. His tenure in the music business was amazing. R.I.P. Jerry
RIP Jerry…Here’s to one of the good guys!
Jerry B was one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. When I was at EMD, it was Jerry that helped me the most through those corporate BS times. Stevie Rosenblatt was right when he said that Jerry cut through the crap and would. The world is missing a good spirit.I considered Jerry my friend and confidant. I could go into his office and shut the door & starting bitching about one thing or another and he would just look at me and with a shit-eating grin…like I’m the first one to ever bring this stuff up. Jerry was a record guy in the truest sense of the word. He was THE MAN and I will miss him.
Peace,
Mark Cope
To Jerry’s family and friends,
Jerry actually was the Dallas warehouse manager when I came with Capitol in 1967. After moving our Distribution Center in 1968, he was brought into sales as our Singles Specialist. We shared an office and I certainly enjoyed our friendship. Then, he was transferred to Miami and ran the DC there and was the local Sales Manager, too. Finally he was promoted to Atlanta District Manager where he ruled. He had the talent to ignore what didn’t really matter and concentrate on what did. Then, of course, he moved to the headquarters as a VP in the 90’s. It wouldn’t surprise me if Jerry wasn’t with Capitol/EMI longer than anyone else.
Allan
Allan,
Please email me, I have many Dallas people I would like to catch up on!
In case you’re not aware, there is a Cema Distribution group on Facebook. You might find some of your old friends there.
Thanks for visiting my site
Jerry was branch manager of Atlanta as I was mgr. in Washington DC/Philly for 13 years .. he was a great leader and manager .. I learned a lot from him and was a better manager due to his example.
I did not know he was ill and I am shocked and saddened by our loss.
I did not know his family directly, but I know he was a great father and husband. My sympathy and good thoughts go to his family.
Watch over us Jerry, we will join you, but not just yet.
God Bless, Ron
Jerry Brackenridge greatly influenced my life directly for many years, and the lessons he taught me about life and the record business continue to guide me today. I would not be where I am nor had such a fabulous ride getting here if it weren’t for Jerry. He believed in me and kept faith in me even when I didn’t deserve it. He lifted me up and let me go, continuing to guide and encourage me even when I was no longer under his management.
My thoughts and prayers go out to Laura, Chad, Brandy, Shirley, and all the many, many people who love him and miss him. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful man with all of us.
Peace to all of you.
Alexis Kelley
I first met Jerry in 1976 when I was the District Manager for Capitol in the Washington/Baltimore market and Jerry was the District Manager in Atlanta.
He was wearing a watch (an Ebel) that I admired and I asked Jerry if it was expensive, his reply I will never forget, “It’s not a Rolex but it’s not a Timex”, a year later I went and bought my first Ebel.
Myself and the entire “B” Team will miss him greatly!
Ira Derfler
I offer my sincere condolences to Laura and the family.
Laura. I know the loving bond you both shared will be a comforting shield for you.
Jerry was a special guy, a man’s man.
I got to know Jerry basically while working at Capitol/EMI.
It was a friendly work related relationship.
At the 2000 convention in New Orleans, I along with Jerry and others who had been with the company for 25 years or more stood on a stage to be photographed.
As we descended from the stage, he placed his hand on my shoulder and in that deep soft slight southern accent said,
“Len buddy, you’ve been with this company almost as long as I have and I have never heard a bad word about you.”
I was stunned. Really stunned.
I turned to him and with a lump in my throat said, “Gee, thanks, Jerry.” Before I could muster my thoughts to say more, he smiled that wide grin and moved on.
That moment is one I remember and think about from time to time.
I really believe that the many people Jerry touched in his life will always remember him as a strong, kind, helping person. A man’s man.
Len Mardeusz
Laura and family:
I am still in shock about Jerry’s passing. Laura, you are a Saint for your loving care of Jerry when he really needed you the most.I am very proud of you and Jerry. My prayers and Masses will always be with you both.
I met Jerry in Dallas; I was the Branch Manager for CBS and he was at Capitol. I tried despertly to hire Jerry, but he passed the offer on several occasions. He was a dedicated empolyee and really respected his friend Tom Tilton. Years later I joined Capitol and I was delighted to find Jerry running the Atlanta Branch for the company. I mentioned once that I wanted to learn to play golf, and a few days later I received a set of Hogan irons from him. I offered to pay him but he said no. I took a few private golf lessons in LA and the pro said “you must be a great player because you have Hogan irons”. I said, no I’m not, but an excellent player gave these irons to me, and I hope that someday I can make Jerry proud of me if I can learn to play. I was the worst player there ever was (ask Joe McFadden). Years later I lowered my handicap to a 6. I will never forget Jerry for this.
Working with Jery was a real pleasure. I always adimred his integrity and management style. What a gentleman! He will be missed by all of us never forgotten.
Laura told me they wanted to move to Arizona; one reason was that could beat everybody in his club and he needed a chalange. He was a scratch golfer. I only got to play with him once but it was a real pleasure watching HIM play. He was so good and I sucked. He always was very complimentary of everyone’s else even when we hit an awful shot. He had a passion for the game and his work ethics. I learned alot from Jerry and respect him highly.
Rest in peace Jerry, and knock the socks off all the other players in Heaven.
I miss you buddy,
Your friend and cohort,
Joe Mansfield
I am honored to have known and worked with Jerry. He was such a wonderful person and he will be sorely missed.
…is there anyone who ever met Jerry who didn’t like him? I think not!
Dan Davis
So many wonderful memories! Nashville, The Caymans, Atlanta, etc. What a great manager, what a great human being! He could be tough but he was always fair. Jerry, you will be missed!
Requiescat in pacem.
Ralph Black
Jerry was my first Branch Manager when I went into Promotion at EMI/UA. He was the smartest, kindest person I had ever met in the record business. He helped me get my wings and taught me to never take it all too seriously. I moved on to A&M and we didn’t see each other for years, then I took a job at Curb in ’91 and found that he was my Branch Manager again! I felt like I had come home when I went into the Branch. He and Peggy welcomed me with open arms, it was as if I never left. We had great lunches at Malone’s and he turned me on to Tiger Sauce. He taught me how to play Darts and he advised my husband and I on negotiating our golf membership. He came to our home and I cooked dinner for him and we talked for hours. When they closed the Branch and he left to go West, I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye and it bothered me but I ran into him at a CMA show and got to give him a huge hug. I am so glad I got to see him again. I am so sad that he is gone. R.I.P. JB. You will always be “The Man”.
Laura,
Fran and I are so sorry to hear about the passing of Jerry. I think I am still in shock. I can’t believe he is gone.
He was a true gentleman who made everyone around him feel special.
He was the special one. I just feel honored to have known and worked with him.
Our hearts go out to you and all your family.
Jerry meant so much to me and wife that I can’t even begin to express it here but I’m comforted to know that he died knowing how much we cared about him.
Jerry convinced me to leave the world of promotion to be a sales rep for CEMA in Miami and from there he moved me back to Atlanta to be a Marketing Manager quickly followed by me replacing him as the branch manager when he moved to L.A. with his VP promotion. I had just turned 30 when I took over the office and I made some bone head mistakes that he helped me get through. Jerry understood “politics” so well and that was invaluable to me.
I learned a ridiculous amount from him over the years and I inherited an amazing staff that he put together. My entire management style and team building philosophy is directly a result of Jerry’s influence. He was my mentor, no question.
I shared a ton of laughs and wine with him over the years and tears on the day he called to say he was leaving EMI. That day the industry let a legend go.
Since then we became even closer and talked very often. It was on Thanksgiving day a couple years ago that he called to tell me he had cancer and then it was Thanksgiving day again when I got the call that he had died.
My memories of Jerry are all positive and the last time we spoke he sounded really good and I’m so thankful to have that in my head and heart.
Through all of this, and going well back into the CEMA days, I got to know and become great friends with Laura. Laura’s been a rock through some very difficult times these past couple of years and always found time to talk to me about how Jerry was doing. I’m so glad they both had wonderful times together after leaving L.A.
I look forward to celebrating his life in the Spring with many many friends.
You were one of kind JB and I’m a better person for knowing you.
Much love to Jerry, Laura, Chad & Brandy
Jeff Ivan
Jeff, Thank you for keeping us all updated. I’m so sorry.
Jerry was such a great guy. I loved working with him. I loved his stories. I lived by his advise. He will be missed by all who knew him. I’m so sorry to hear of his passing.
I am not sure that I can do a memorial page to Jerry justice, but I will try. I did not try to write this until now because I knew that Mary Ellen and I would be seeing Laura sometime in January at our place in Palm Desert. I guess I needed to see her first before I could write something about Jerry. We spent a week with Laura at our condo and it was a terrific visit. She is “healing” and the time spent with Mary Ellen, myself and her other friends in Palm Desert was therapeutic for her as well as for us. We had some laughs, some tears, some wine, some good food, and some great memories of Jerry.
Jerry was a consummate “record guy”. I first met Jerry when I came to CEMA in 1989. From the very beginning of our relationship, Jerry impressed me with his industry knowledge as well as with his approach to everyone he met – his customers, the labels, and most of all to all who worked for him and with him. The comments from other people attest to his management ability and industry knowledge. We weathered a lot of storms together, the most important of which were not “record related” but were rather “personally related”. Those included many conversations very early in our relationship about his marriage, and later on about his new relationship with Laura. Interestingly, I had gone through the same marriage relationship conversations with Laura when she was facing problems. What a beautiful thing it was for both of them when they finally got together. When Jerry moved to the west coast he bought a house and I remember him telling Mary Ellen and myself about how Laura “could move in if she wanted to, but this was his house – and the cats were going to possibly have to go.” Well, within a few months Jerry came to love the cats, and love Laura even more. That transition from where both of them were in other relationships to where the got to in their own relationship and marriage was far more important than anything we did on a daily basis to make the “record business” work.
Mary Ellen and will always cherish the times we had Laura and Jerry at our condo in Palm Desert, and well remember our trip to stay with them in Port Ludlow, Washington. Jerry was a great “record man”, but above all he was a great human being that I will never forget.
God bless you Jerry. Hit them long and straight because you are now playing on God’s course.
I just learned of Jerry’s passing today and wanted to offer Laura and the rest of the family my condolences. Jerry was my golfing buddy and they say you can learn a lot about someone by spending time on the golf course. If that’s the case, then Jerry was the absolute best. I really don’t know anyone who didn’t like Jerry. He was just one of those original nice guys with no particular agenda. I will cherish our days at Wood Ranch.
I was surfing along and was saddened to find this posting that my old friend Jerry had passed away. I was a Distict Manager for Capitol in Cleveland 1980/88 and benefitted greatly from the consul I received on many an occasion from this true professional. He was always smiling…..Rest in Peace
Jerry was one of the few great leaders that you wanted to look up to and make him look good. I learned just by watching from a distance. He was admired