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| Home / Nov/Dec 2008 / Feature Stories / Radio legend Rick Shayne Fossett honored with a star on Alabama’s Walk of Fame |
Nov/Dec 2008
By Caroline Bowman
Although he never recorded a multi-platinum album or performed for an auditorium packed with adoring fans, few from Alabama have made such an impact on the country music industry as Rainsville’s own Rick “Shayne” Fossett. And even fewer have done so with such integrity, compassion, and respect.
Rick made his mark on the industry as a radio consultant. He was known for his unique market research, which he used to predict chart-topping hits. But beyond his career, Rick impacted the lives of all those around him with his genuine friendship and love.
Rick developed an interest in music at a young age, and played trombone in Plainview’s very first high school marching band. Rick was also part of an ensemble known as The Parliament Five, which played New Orleans-style jazz. Eddie Garrett, a Combination Technician in Special Services for Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, was a member of the group.
“Rick was the most talented one of us,” says Garrett, who played trumpet in the group. The other members were classmates Barry Graham, Tony Minter and Earl Ragsdale. “Sammy Gilbreath and Terry Don Suttles were our managers,” Garrett adds.
What started with a 4H talent show win led to gigs throughout the area during the early 1960s. “We’d go and play for anything, but a big salary for us was $50 or $60,” Garrett recalls. “That was really big money back then.” The group remained active through the boys’ high school years. At the age of only 18, Rick was hired as band director at Ider High School.
In 1967, Rick was drafted and assigned to the 60th Army Band at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he put his talent as a trombone player to good use. After returning to Sand Mountain, he began his career in radio broadcasting as an announcer over local airwaves, including Rainsville’s WVSM. While at Ft. Payne’s WFPA, Rick worked along side Jeff Cook, who later became a member of the country super-group Alabama. In 1971, Rick moved to Muscle Shoals where he could be heard on stations such as WOWL and WBCF. He developed his interest in consulting while working for WLAY.
In 1985, Rick was asked to join Rusty Walker Programming Consultants, a radio consulting firm in Burnsville, Mississippi. As a consultant, it was his responsibility to make sure his clients received good ratings from listeners. Rick developed a system of market research that determined which songs the radio stations should play and, most of all, the ones listeners wanted to hear. He was put in charge of 25 stations, but over time he became a key member of the team of radio consultants that assisted over 100 radio stations across the country. His unique research report is still utilized by many country radio and music industry giants today.
Three gold records and brief biographies of Rick hang in hallway of Plainview High School as a testimony to the impact he had on the music industry. The records were given to Rick by country music superstars Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and LeAnn Rimes for his guidance and assistance in their journeys to success. LeAnn Rimes was only 14 when she came to Rick for advice on her musical career, and Rick encouraged her to continue singing and pursuing her aspirations. “Rick hoped the gold records would inspire and encourage students to work hard and chase their dreams,” says Judy Ayers, librarian at Plainview.
Although his ground-breaking methodology is what earned him respect in the music business, it is his unforgettable personality that touched the lives of all those who were lucky enough to meet him. Rick was known for his hospitality and always made time for artists, record label personnel, or individuals with the dream of making it big in country music. He shared his wisdom with all those who asked for it and was instrumental in the success of many artists such as Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, Sawyer Brown, and Alabama.
Even with his success, Rick viewed his family as his ‘greatest hits.’ His wife, Lola, and son, Shayne, were always his top priority. Rick and his son shared a love for music and were often found playing guitar together in Rick’s home office.
The Fossett family also shared a strong love for their country. “Rick served in the US Army and I am an Air Force Disabled Vietnam Vet,” says Lola. Shayne is now serving in the United States Navy and is stationed at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. “Rick would be so proud of his son,” Lola comments. “It is the highest honor Shayne could give to his family and country.”
In October 2000, the Fossett family was shaken when Rick was diagnosed with both lung cancer and a brain tumor. He underwent surgery on October 24 and chemotherapy and radiation treatments during the following years. Even through his painful and exhausting sickness, he continued to travel and work on his music reports. “Rick never saw the journey God had given him as anything other than a blessing,” says Lola. “He always saw the positive side of everything. His faith always carried him through.” Rick lost his three-year battle with cancer on December 3, 2003, at the age of 56.
Two years after his death, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame honored Rick for his many contributions to the music industry with the prestigious Media Award, as well as a permanent bronze star on the Walk of Fame, sponsored by his former employer, Rusty Walker. “Rick Shayne (Fossett) was one of the true patriots of the renaissance of mass appeal country music from the late 80s until his passing,” says Walker. “Having worked with him for close to 20 years, and having had the pleasure of his friendship for over 30 years, few know better than I how genuine, how gentle, and how trustworthy Rick was. He was truly deserving of the respect and admiration he garnered.”
Mark Miller, lead singer for the group Sawyer Brown, also fondly remembers Rick not only as a talent in the music industry, but as a friend. “Rick had an incredible heart for his family, his friends and his music,” says Miller. “He was a quiet man whose heart and passion came blaring though loud and clear across America’s airwaves.”
Rick’s story continues to inspire others. “We hope that Rick will be remembered for his love of life, family, and music, his kind spirit, gracious hospitality, friendship, but most of all for his unquestionable faith in God and God’s plan for his life,” Lola says. “He was one of those rare, one-in-a-million kinds of people that God sends to us to help us realize the world is a good place.”
Radio legend Rick Shayne Fossett honored with a star on Alabama’s Walk of Fame
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Rick Shayne Fossett
By Caroline Bowman
Although he never recorded a multi-platinum album or performed for an auditorium packed with adoring fans, few from Alabama have made such an impact on the country music industry as Rainsville’s own Rick “Shayne” Fossett. And even fewer have done so with such integrity, compassion, and respect.
Rick made his mark on the industry as a radio consultant. He was known for his unique market research, which he used to predict chart-topping hits. But beyond his career, Rick impacted the lives of all those around him with his genuine friendship and love.
Rick developed an interest in music at a young age, and played trombone in Plainview’s very first high school marching band. Rick was also part of an ensemble known as The Parliament Five, which played New Orleans-style jazz. Eddie Garrett, a Combination Technician in Special Services for Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, was a member of the group.
“Rick was the most talented one of us,” says Garrett, who played trumpet in the group. The other members were classmates Barry Graham, Tony Minter and Earl Ragsdale. “Sammy Gilbreath and Terry Don Suttles were our managers,” Garrett adds.
What started with a 4H talent show win led to gigs throughout the area during the early 1960s. “We’d go and play for anything, but a big salary for us was $50 or $60,” Garrett recalls. “That was really big money back then.” The group remained active through the boys’ high school years. At the age of only 18, Rick was hired as band director at Ider High School.
In 1967, Rick was drafted and assigned to the 60th Army Band at Fort Polk, Louisiana, where he put his talent as a trombone player to good use. After returning to Sand Mountain, he began his career in radio broadcasting as an announcer over local airwaves, including Rainsville’s WVSM. While at Ft. Payne’s WFPA, Rick worked along side Jeff Cook, who later became a member of the country super-group Alabama. In 1971, Rick moved to Muscle Shoals where he could be heard on stations such as WOWL and WBCF. He developed his interest in consulting while working for WLAY.
THE PARLIAMENT FIVE— This group, comprised of Plainview High School students, played their New Orleans-style jazz throughout the area. Members were (left to right): Earl Ragsdale, Eddie Garrett, Rick Shayne Fossett, Tony Minter and Barry Graham.
In 1985, Rick was asked to join Rusty Walker Programming Consultants, a radio consulting firm in Burnsville, Mississippi. As a consultant, it was his responsibility to make sure his clients received good ratings from listeners. Rick developed a system of market research that determined which songs the radio stations should play and, most of all, the ones listeners wanted to hear. He was put in charge of 25 stations, but over time he became a key member of the team of radio consultants that assisted over 100 radio stations across the country. His unique research report is still utilized by many country radio and music industry giants today.
Three gold records and brief biographies of Rick hang in hallway of Plainview High School as a testimony to the impact he had on the music industry. The records were given to Rick by country music superstars Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, and LeAnn Rimes for his guidance and assistance in their journeys to success. LeAnn Rimes was only 14 when she came to Rick for advice on her musical career, and Rick encouraged her to continue singing and pursuing her aspirations. “Rick hoped the gold records would inspire and encourage students to work hard and chase their dreams,” says Judy Ayers, librarian at Plainview.
Although his ground-breaking methodology is what earned him respect in the music business, it is his unforgettable personality that touched the lives of all those who were lucky enough to meet him. Rick was known for his hospitality and always made time for artists, record label personnel, or individuals with the dream of making it big in country music. He shared his wisdom with all those who asked for it and was instrumental in the success of many artists such as Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, Sawyer Brown, and Alabama.
Even with his success, Rick viewed his family as his ‘greatest hits.’ His wife, Lola, and son, Shayne, were always his top priority. Rick and his son shared a love for music and were often found playing guitar together in Rick’s home office.
The Fossett family also shared a strong love for their country. “Rick served in the US Army and I am an Air Force Disabled Vietnam Vet,” says Lola. Shayne is now serving in the United States Navy and is stationed at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. “Rick would be so proud of his son,” Lola comments. “It is the highest honor Shayne could give to his family and country.”
In October 2000, the Fossett family was shaken when Rick was diagnosed with both lung cancer and a brain tumor. He underwent surgery on October 24 and chemotherapy and radiation treatments during the following years. Even through his painful and exhausting sickness, he continued to travel and work on his music reports. “Rick never saw the journey God had given him as anything other than a blessing,” says Lola. “He always saw the positive side of everything. His faith always carried him through.” Rick lost his three-year battle with cancer on December 3, 2003, at the age of 56.
Two years after his death, the Alabama Music Hall of Fame honored Rick for his many contributions to the music industry with the prestigious Media Award, as well as a permanent bronze star on the Walk of Fame, sponsored by his former employer, Rusty Walker. “Rick Shayne (Fossett) was one of the true patriots of the renaissance of mass appeal country music from the late 80s until his passing,” says Walker. “Having worked with him for close to 20 years, and having had the pleasure of his friendship for over 30 years, few know better than I how genuine, how gentle, and how trustworthy Rick was. He was truly deserving of the respect and admiration he garnered.”
Mark Miller, lead singer for the group Sawyer Brown, also fondly remembers Rick not only as a talent in the music industry, but as a friend. “Rick had an incredible heart for his family, his friends and his music,” says Miller. “He was a quiet man whose heart and passion came blaring though loud and clear across America’s airwaves.”
Rick’s story continues to inspire others. “We hope that Rick will be remembered for his love of life, family, and music, his kind spirit, gracious hospitality, friendship, but most of all for his unquestionable faith in God and God’s plan for his life,” Lola says. “He was one of those rare, one-in-a-million kinds of people that God sends to us to help us realize the world is a good place.”
