Country Music Hall of Fame member Mac Wiseman passes aged 93

Chronicle: Country Music Hall of Fame member Mac Wiseman passed away Sunday (Feb 24) at the age of 93.

Wiseman is known for his Dot Records interpretations of songs including "Shackles And Chains," "Jimmy Brown The Newsboy," "I’ll Be All Smiles Tonight" and "Love Letters In The Sand." He was also a sideman with Flatt & Scruggs and Bill Monroe, a featured vocalist with Molly O’Day, country recording director for Dot (1955–59) and a founding member and first secretary of CMA (1958).

Wiseman moved to Nashville in 1969 and signed with RCA Victor. His first -- and only -- hit for the label was the Top 40 novelty tune "If I Had Johnny's Cash and Charley's Pride." While at RCA, he also recorded three well-received bluegrass albums with Lester Flatt.

From the mid-'70s on, Wiseman concentrated on bluegrass, becoming a fixture at festivals and releasing a series of records on independent records that ran into the '90s.

In 1993 he was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame.

Wiseman stayed active into the 21st century, releasing eight albums on Music Hill between 2001 and 2005, including 2003's THE LOST ALBUM, drawn from sessions done in 1964 for Capitol. A duets album with John Prine, Standard Songs for Average People, appeared from Prine's Oh Boy Records in 2007, with a trio of independently released albums, Old Likker in a New Jug, Waiting for the Boys to Come Home, and Bluegrass Tradition arriving in 2008.

Wiseman continued a low-key recording career in the 2010s, releasing Songs from MY MOTHER'S HAND in 2014 and the star-studded I SANG THE SONG in 2017.

Shackles and Chains

“Mac Wiseman recorded splendid and often groundbreaking music for over 70 years. He also helped found the CMA, headed Dot Records’ country division, and was a titan of bluegrass music’s first generation. His was an inspirational and important life.” - Kyle Young, CEO pic.twitter.com/n3oOKqQ5ss

— Country Music HOF (@countrymusichof) 24 February 2019

"Mac Wiseman recorded splendid and often groundbreaking music for more than seventy years, remaining relevant and productive even in his nineties," says CMHoF CEO Kyle Young. "He was a titan of bluegrass music's first generation, though bluegrass never defined him. He helped found the CMA, he headed Dot Records' country division, and he recorded with everyone from big band legend Woody Herman to Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Duane Eddy to Americana poet laureate John Prine. His was an inspirational and important American life."

"Mac Wiseman was not only a key figure in the history of country music, but also in the history of our organization," adds CMA CEO Sarah Trahern. "I enjoyed my personal relationship with Mac, and both he and Jo Walker Meador shared rich stories of the early days of CMA. Mac made a broad impact on both the music and business sides of our industry. He deeply understood how country music worked thanks to his eclectic history, and he was an early adopter of the idea that our format is strengthened when we all step into the circle together." Read Country Aircheck's coverage of Wiseman's CMHoF induction here. and 2014 Medallion Ceremony Highlights on >> YouTube

Wild Side of Life

Mac Wiseman: On Susan's Floor (4-CD) – Bear Family Records

4-CD Box Set, LP-size with 60-page hardcover book. 114 tracks. Plying time 303:36 minutes. 

CLICK to ENLARGE

Mac Wiseman: 'Tis Sweet To Be Remembered (6-CD) – Bear Family Records

6-CD box (LP-size) with 76-page hardcover book, 164 tracks. Playing time approx. 418 mns.

HALL OF FAME Oct, 2014, With Mac Wiseman (Inductee)

ARTICLES

Mac Wiseman Was One of the Very Last Links to Country’s Historic Past – Saving Country Music

Mac Wiseman, country and bluegrass great, dead at 93 – The Tennessean

Mac Wiseman, First published in Country Music People, August 1973 by Alan Cackett www.alancackett.com

TRIBUTES

Charlie Daniels: A bluegrass legend left us this morning at the age of 93 Mac Wiseman was one of the gentlest people I knew He had a one in a million voice and left us a legacy of  unique music that stretched across seven decades I was honored to call him friend May he Rest In Peace eternally

Country Music People: Pretty soon there will be no legends walking among us. RIP Mac Wiseman

Jerry Douglas: Yesterday February 23rd we lost the last Foggy Mountain Boy, Mac Wiseman. He was just three months shy of his 93rd birthday. He leaves behind a legacy rich in important landmarks and his knowledge of all

Ricky Skaggs: It’s hard to say the name Mac Wiseman and not hear his voice in your head. It was one of the most unique voices in Bluegrass and Country Music. I loved his voice and his ease of singing, but the one thing I will remember... - Ricky Skaggs

Sierra Hull: ‏RIP Mac Wiseman. What a voice and what a career. I’m so grateful to have had a chance to record with him and visit with him at his home a few times in recent years to hear his stories. He was always sharp as a tack and so gracious to me and Justin. He will be missed greatly!!

Just heard that the great Mac Wiseman passed away. He was so influential in Country and Bluegrass music and was one of the sweetest fellas in the business. He’ll be missed. pic.twitter.com/aX4JlJ74Ew

— Teea Goans (@teeagoans) 24 February 2019

Tim O'Brien: RIP Mac Wiseman. A true musical pioneer who did it all. Nobody sang like Mac.

The Gibson Brothers: RIP Mac Wiseman. What a voice. What a legend. We learned so many of his songs growing up to make our dad happy because Mac was one of his favorites. One of ours too.

The Po' Ramblin Boys: Rest In Peace to “The Voice with a Heart.” Mac Wiseman left a mark on Bluegrass music that cannot be erased. Thanks for all the great music and history Mac! We will miss you dearly