We have learned of the passing of Don Light earlier today. He was a legend in the Gospel music business, having served as a booking agent and manager to many of the top acts during the 20th Century. His Don Light Agency is regarded as the first professional outfit for booking Gospel music, and he had represented The Oak Ridge Boys, The Lewis Family, and The Happy Goodman Family in his day.
Expanding his efforts, Light eventually branched into record production and is credited as producer on more than 50 albums. He also worked with many top pop and country acts in the 1990s, including Keith Whitley, Jimmy Buffet, Marty Stuart, and Steve Wariner.
In more recent years Don had become active in bluegrass, sharing his expertise and connections with a genre he had loved since he was a boy. He began working with Mike Drudge and Class Act Entertainment in 2005 to provide management expertise to some of their clients, and was a past Keynote Speaker during the IBMA’s World Of Bluegrass convention.
Light was also part of the team that worked with Dailey & Vincent during their meteoric rise, and Jamie Dailey spoke very highly of him.
“We are deeply, deeply saddened by his death. He was a great friend and a most excellent manager. He will missed.”
Friends have told us that Don had been in poor health for some time, but we don’t know much else about his passing.
R.I.P to a good friend of bluegrass, and a pioneer in the business of music.
