Bill Mayne, veteran label and radio executive and former Executive Director of the Country Radio Broadcasters and Country Radio Seminar, has passed away after fighting against a long-term illness. Mayne’s career spanned more than five decades, starting as a country music performer before moving into radio. He launched Austin’s KASE and would also lead KZLA/KLAC in Los Angeles and KSCS/WBAP in Dallas. Mayne eventually moved on to serve as Sr. VP/General Manager and VP of Promotion at Warner Bros. Nashville.
At the CRB, Mayne served as a board member and Vice President before his decade-long leadership as Executive Director, revitalizing the organization and contributing to its enduring success. His dedication to the industry was further honored with the President’s Award in 2019.
Outside of radio, Mayne ran Mayne Entertainment and Mayne Street Consulting. His philanthropic efforts were equally significant, including pivotal roles in the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors, and co-founding the St. Jude Country Cares for Kids Program, which has generated over $700 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
His charitable spirit extended to serving as National VP for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, as well as contributions to Leadership Music and the Mayor’s Nashville Music Council.
Mayne’s successor as CRB/CRS Executive Director, RJ Curtis, said, “The passing of Bill Mayne marks a profound loss for the entire country music community. Bill was a true giant in every sense of the word. His fifty years of passionate work positively impacted everyone he met, in nearly every segment of our business, through his time in radio, the music industry, artist management, entrepreneurialism, and, of course, his decade of leadership as Executive Director for CRB. Bill Mayne navigated the organization through a period of great adversity, ultimately reestablishing CRS as the premier industry event that it is today.”
CRB Board Member Mike McVay told Radio Ink, “Bill Mayne took the helm at CRB at a time when the nation was enduring great economic stress. He was instrumental in turning around the finances of the group and in building the foundation for the Country Radio Seminar to become what it is today.”
Mayne is survived by his wife Sallie Mayne, sons Bryant and Christopher, grandchild Everleigh, and mother-in-law Helen Wood. Details on a public service to celebrate his life are pending.
Sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. He had an impact on my career many years back when he was at KASE. His ability to encourage, direct and correct through air checking the entire staff at KLAW, Lawton helped me hone my craft…long before I could appreciate what he was sowing into my life….
Thank You Bill…
RJ and Mike really summed it up — Bill was a giant and a mainstay of the industry. Having worked with him for many years, I can also say he was a wonderful friend and kind mentor. They don’t make ’em like Bill anymore. My deepest sympathies to his family and to the many friends Bill made in the course of his career and his philanthropic work.