August 14, 2017, Issue 563
Remembering The Rhinestone Cowboy
When Country Music Hall of Famer Glen Campbell died Tuesday (8/8) after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, he left a legacy of timeless classics and legions of fans. But to many inside the music industry, he was more than just a beloved superstar. Country Aircheck spoke with former associates about his humor, kindness and generosity. TKO Artist Management’s T.K. Kimbrell signed Campbell to his roster two years ago, taking over at the request of Campbell’s manager of more than 50 years, Stan Schneider. But Kimbrell’s relaGlen Campbell tionship with Campbell already spanned decades. In 1981 while touring as Steve Wariner’s bass player, a 25-year-old Kimbrell got to jam with his hero after a show in Cleveland, and a friendship was born. Glen always remembered meeting me that night and some of the ‘country’ jokes I told. He had heard every joke in the world. But I had some old country stories and he remembered those every time I saw him. I grew up watching him on TV [The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour]. He was himself on that show. The first time I was ever around him, I felt like I’d known him my whole life. He had a way. That’s why he was such a big TV star, in addition to his singing and playing. Man, the entire world was mesmerized by his personality, his down-home charm and his good looks. He always talked about the power of TV. I think he wondered just how big “Gentle On My Mind,” “Galveston” and “Wichita Lineman” would’ve been without the power of TV. And they would’ve been huge. But seeing him interacting on that show weekly ... and keep in mind, back then there were three channels. There were 60 or 70 million people a week watching his show. I asked him one time, what was the secret to his success. He said, “I could always do what people asked me to do.” Whether it was Phil Spector or Jimmy Bowen asking him to play a certain way, or Stan asking him to do this or that. Glen wasn’t afraid to work and do what [his team] felt was best.
I’m Ready To Play: BMLG Records’ Florida Georgia Line (Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley) onstage in Chicago’s Wrigley Field with Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell (c). See another big crowd on page 9.
Glen was funny. He had a great sense of humor. He and Toby [Keith] got a big kick out of each other. The last time Toby was around Glen, Toby had on a big pair of biker boots. He’d come from a truck commercial shoot and was still “in uniform.” Glen looked at those biker boots and said, “Toby, how long did the doctor say you had to wear those?” – like they were corrective shoes. When I started playing golf in the early ‘90s we became even closer, because he loved golf. To get to spend three or four hours with him on the golf course was a real pleasure. There were times when he was a scratch golfKimbrell and Campbell er. He always hit the ball really well. He had a great short game. And he’s one of the best putters I’ve ever seen. Everything he did, he did it good. Glen had all the talent in the world. But from watching him, I learned how important it is to be nice to people. One day after
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