Eugene “Erv” Woolsey, who changed the face of modern country music through his stewardship of George Strait’s career along with those of other progressive traditionalists, died Wednesday (3/20) in Clearwater, Florida. He was 80.

The cause was complications from surgery.

A native of Houston, Woolsey spent his entire professional life in the music business. He headed up radio promotions at ABC’s country division in the 1970s and did the same for MCA in the early ‘80s; he also opened The Prairie Rose, a club in San Marcos, Texas.

He elevated the careers of Johnny Rodriguez, Jimmy Buffett, Billy “Crash” Craddock, Donna Fargo, Freddy Fender and Amazing Rhythm Aces at ABC; at MCA, he found radio success for Barbara Mandrell, Loretta Lynn, Tanya Tucker, Conway Twitty, The Oak Ridge Boys and Lee Greenwood.

It’s his association with Strait, who he met and booked The Prairie Rose in the ‘70s, that he is best known.

Strait issued a statement: “My manager for around 45 years and most importantly my friend for even longer, Erv Woolsey, passed away this morning. He had complications from a surgery and just couldn’t overcome it. He was a very tough man, and fought hard, but sadly it was just too much. We will miss him so very much and will never forget all the time we had together. Won’t ever be the same without him.”

In 1981, Woolsey convinced MCA chief Jim Foglesong to sign Strait. “Unwound,” Strait's debut single, went Top 10 Country and his hall of fame career was underway.

Woolsey left MCA in 1984 to devote himself full-time to managing Strait’s career. Strait and Woolsey broke new ground with the 1992 movie Pure Country, and started country music’s first regular stadium tours in 1995, introducing audiences to the likes of Alan Jackson, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Kenny Chesney.

Woolsey also managed Lee Ann Womack, Dierks Bentley, Clay Walker and Ronnie Milsap and, more recently, developing talent such as Ian Munsick, Davisson Brothers Band and Kylie Frey.

With Strait, he also got to step into songwriting, co-writing “In Too Deep” and “I Can Still Make Cheyenne.”

From left, MCA’s Bruce Hinton, George Strait and Erv Woolsey in 1991

“Without the savvy and determination of Erv Woolsey, we may never have heard of George Strait," said Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young. "Erv heard Strait in a Texas bar in 1975 and was an immediate fan and proponent, when others said the singer sounded too traditional. Later, as an MCA Records exec, Erv pushed the label to sign Strait in 1981. And when execs urged Strait to change his image and his sound, Erv as his manager backed Strait’s determination to stay true to himself. You know the rest.

“Strait became a superstar who filled stadiums, and together Strait and Erv helped lead country music back to its traditions. All of us owe Erv Woolsey an enormous debt of gratitude for leading with his convictions and always supporting artists and new talent."

Woolsey also opened the Nashville clubs The Trap, Losers, Winners, and the Dawg House with business partner Steve Ford.

Woolsey served on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association, as well as the Tennessee Museum of History.