Trailblazer who became one of the first women to lead a major music publisher, Pat Rolfe, dies aged 77

Nashville music publishing executive Linda Patterson “Pat” Rolfewho became one of the first women to head a major music publishing company in the early 1970s, died of cancer on Friday (May 24) aged 77.

Rolfe, born July 27, 1946, was a native of Waverly, Tenn. While at the label—which became a dominant music publishing player in country music in the 1950s and 1960s—he joined Lamar Fike, a member of Elvis Presley's entourage who worked on lighting and helped oversee Presley's musical version. He also worked on hit songs by Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Eddy Arnold and bluegrass pioneer Bill Monroe.

Rolfe was elevated to a leadership role at Hill & Range – a rarity for a female executive at the time – when she was named GM at Hill & Range in 1972. She also brought Celia Froehlig at the label, and both remained until Chappell Music acquired the Hill & Range companies in 1975. Froehlig would go on to hold senior roles at EMI Music Publishing and Black River Entertainment.

After the acquisition, Rolfe continued at Chappell Music, which was named ASCAP Publisher of the Year seven times during her tenure. She rose to the role of vp and held that role until 1987, when Warner Bros. Music bought the company.

That same year, longtime head of ASCAP Nashville Connie Bradley offered Rolfe a position as director of member relations. While at the performing rights organization, Rolfe rose to the role of vp, bringing in songwriters and singer-songwriters such as Dierks Bentley, Brad Paisley, Wynonna Judd, Tony Mullins, Trevor Rosen, Hillary Lindsey, Gerry House, Josh Kear, Michael Knox and Chris Tompkins on the pass. He retired in 2010.

In 1991, seeking to further elevate women in the music industry, Rolfe partnered with him Judy Harris and Shelia Shipley Biddy to co-found SOURCE, a non-profit organization that supports female professionals in the Nashville music industry. Inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame in 2012.

“We are devastated at the loss of one of our beloved Founding SOURCE members Pat Rolfe,” said SOURCE Nashville President Carrie Barnhart in a statement. “Pat's heart for recognizing and uplifting Women Behind Music is a legacy that will live on through the organization she lovingly helped build with our other founding members Judy Harris and Celia Shipley- Biddy 33 years ago. Pat has remained committed to the organization as a member of the Source Awards Committee over the years.”

Rolfe also served on the boards of organizations including the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the Nashville Music Association, and the Copyright Society of the South.

Rolfe is survived by her husband of 54 years, Mack, as well as step-children John (Vanessa), Jim (Mary K) and Dick (Michelle). seven grandchildren; Brothers Jim, Mike, Joe and Charlie Patterson; and sister Margaret Simmons. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marie and George Patterson, her brother Jerry Patterson and sister-in-law Ann Patterson.

A visitation with the family will be held on Wednesday (May 29) from 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 a.m. at Green Hills Community Church in Nashville, with the funeral service beginning at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations go to Bonaparte's Retreat Dog Rescue, Green Hills Community Church or a charity of your choice.