Died On This Date (June 12, 1960) Eli Oberstein / Successful Record Producer & Label Head
themusicsover Eli Oberstein
December 13, 1901 – June 12, 1960
Eli Oberstein was a successful record producer and label executive during the early part of the 20th century. He went to work for Victor Records as a salesman during the ’20s and by the early 30s, he was running his own Crown Records. He also helped for the legendary Bluebird Records. As a producer, Oberstein helped create hits for the likes of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Ernest Tubb and Bill Monroe. In 1936, he became head of A&R at Victor and Bluebird Records and was instrumental in bringing Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw to the label. During the latter part of his life, Oberstein worked at numerous labels, including RCA and Columbia. He passed away at the age of 58. He may or may not be related to Joel Oberstein.
Lester Flatt was a singer and guitarist whose remarkable talents added to the success of 
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Jack Cooke was a bluegrass bassist and singer best remembered for his time playing in Ralph Stanley’s Clinch Mountain Boys. Cooke first came to prominence as part of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys with whom he played from 1956 to 1960. He played on some of Monroe’s biggest hits, including the classic, “Big Mon.” After leaving Monroe, he fronted his own band for a few years until getting the call to join Stanley in 1970. He played in the Clinch Mountain Boys up until early 2009. Cooke received a Grammy in 2002 as part of the Jim Lauderdale & Ralph Stanley album, Lost in the Lonesome Pines. Jack Cooke, 72, passed away at a local hospital on December 1, 2009.
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