Biography

Radio and music publishing executive. Born December 8, 1912. Died December 20, 1980. Full name: Jack Smiley Stapp. Career most active late 1930s-1970s. Program director for radio station WSM in Nashville, 1939-1958. Program director for WKDA Nashville, 1958-1964. Co-founder of music publishing giant Tree Music. Served as president of Tree 1967-1974 and chairman of the board, 1974-1980. Member, Country Music Hall of Fame®.

Interview Summary

1972 August 8
(1 hour, 35 minutes)
Radio and music publishing executive Jack Stapp gives an overview of his career. Discussion includes his start in radio; joining CBS radio and his experiences as the evening network manager; his move to assistant production manager for CBS; his recruitment by WSM Nashville; assuming the position of program director at WSM; forming the WSM staff orchestra; the start of the Sunday Down South radio program; WSM’s network programs; his work in the military during World War II; the start of Tree Publishing Company; his resignation from WSM; producing the Jim Reeves Show; joining WDKA Nashville; the growth of Tree; important writers for Tree, including Roger Miller and Curly Putnam; changes in country music; changes in the atmosphere of the Nashville music industry from the late 1940s to the early 1970s; comments on the importance of the Grand Ole Opry to country artists; obtaining television coverage of the Country Music Association’s CMA Awards Show; and general comments on the industry.