R.I.P.: Country Radio Personality, Pioneer Tom Perryman

Radio trailblazer Tom Perryman — whose life work represented a spectrum of contrasts from remote cotton fields in Rural Shade, Texas, to the star-lined stage of the Grand Ole Opry, striking up friendships along the way with the likes of Elvis, Ray Price and Jim Reeves — died Thursday evening.

Tom Perryman

He was 90, according to The Morning Telegraph in Tyler, TX

Perryman was legendary in the national radio and country music scene, in part for helping talented young artists survive and thrive in a tough industry.

As a tribute to his longevity, the Texas Association of Broadcasters gave him its 2013 Pioneer of the Year Award.

He was an encyclopedia of music history, having experienced varying trends over the years, from hillbilly to country to rock 'n' roll.

Perryman and wife, Billie, who was at his side when he died, owned stations in both Texas and Tennessee, including WMTS-AM/FM near Nashville that was a founding member of the Country Music Association.

Most recently, he hosted a two-hour weekday morning radio show on KKUS-FM 104.1, The Ranch, that was a throwback to the good old days of radio.

"Music is a way of life," he said in a 2015 interview with the Tyler Morning Telegraph. "When people hear music they haven't heard in a long time, it brings back a memory. That's why I play so much old music. ... It reminds them of something in the past."

Perryman was the first regular disc jockey of an all-night country music show on WSM, and an General Manger and co-owner of two of the earliest full-time country radio stations.

Perryman started in country radio KEBE Jacksonville, TX (1947-1949) after his high school graduation. He then joined KSIJ Gladewater, TX, and became a charter member of the Country Music Disc Jockey Association in 1953.

He was named WSM's Mr. DJ USA in 1954 and then joined WSM Nashville, TN (1956-1958).

Having simultaneously worked as Talent Coordinator of the Artists Service Bureau and Assistant Manager of The Grand Ole Opry, he left radio for awhile to become co-owner of the All Star Talent Agency (1958-1959). Perryman became General Manager and partner with Jim Reeves at KGRI AM/FM Henderson, TX. He then became General Manager of WMTS AM/FM Murfreesboro, TN (1967-1978), which was named CMA Station of the Year in 1969 and was the top ranked country station in the Nashville market in 1971 and 1972.

In 1985, he became Vice President of Jim Reeves Enterprises. Tom Perryman was inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame in 1988. Perryman currently plays classic country music in east Texas on "The Ranch" (KKUS Tyler TX/KKFO Longview TX/KOUL Marshall TX).

Perryman's awards over his 70-year career in radio include the National Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame, Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame, and many others.