Robert K. Oermann

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Robert Karl Oermann is a

Nashville-based music journalist and author who is recognized as an authority on country music.[1] Oermann is a long-time regular contributor to the trade publication MusicRow, for which he writes a weekly column.[2][3]

Biography

Oermann was born in

record store. That childhood collection grew to become what was described in 1999 as "one of the largest private record archives" in Nashville.[4]

He began his professional career working as an artist and illustrator. In the 1970s he worked as advertising manager for a chain of record stores in

St. Louis. After receiving a master's degree from Syracuse University in the field of information studies, in 1978 he moved to Nashville for a job with the Country Music Foundation (CMF), where he was in charge of technical services for the organization and its Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.[4]

While working at the CMF, Oermann began doing freelance writing on music and developed a reputation as a music historian. As a freelance contributor, he wrote thousands of articles for national publications such as

Us, TV Guide, and Country Song Roundup. In 1982 he became the first country music reporter and critic for USA Today, continuing in that position until 1986. Also in 1982, he became music reporter for Nashville's daily newspaper, The Tennessean, a position he held until 1993.[4] He was editor-at-large for Country Music magazine, which ceased publication in 2003.[2] He is credited for the liner notes for at least 75 albums, including the recording of the O Brother, Where Art Thou? movie soundtrack.[2]

He has written and co-authored several books on country music and its history. With his wife, Mary Agnes Bufwack, an

Deems Taylor Award for music-book excellence.[4][5]

Oermann also has worked in film, television, and radio, primarily as a writer for documentaries and sometimes also as a host. He was a judge on the USA Network reality TV show Nashville Star for the series' first season, which aired in 2003.[2]

Works

Books

  • Bufwack, Mary A.; Oermann, Robert K. (2003) [1993]. Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music, 1800–2000. Crown.
    ISBN 978-0826514325
    .
  • Oermann, Robert K. (1999). A Century of Country: An Illustrated History of Country Music. TV Books.
    ISBN 1-57500-083-0
    .

Film and video

Radio

  • The Conway Twitty Story (1980), syndicated radio program, scripted by Oermann[4]
  • Album Country (1988), syndicated radio program, scripted by Oermann[4]
  • Music City's New Country (1991–1994), radio show written and hosted by Oermann for WSM-FM in Nashville, also syndicated in Japan[4]

References

  1. ^ "A Century of Country: An Illustrated History of Country Music". Kirkus Reviews. October 1, 1999.
  2. ^ a b c d "Robert K. Oermann, Judge". USA Network.
  3. ^ "Author Archive: Robert K. Oermann". MusicRow.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "The Culture of the South Media Fellowship: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, July 11–14, 1999" (press release). Vanderbilt University. Archived from the original on March 1, 2003. Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  5. ^ "Finding Her Voice: Women in Country Music". Kirkus Reviews. August 1, 1993.

External links

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