Sometimes you can’t escape your past. In the case of Jerry Phillips, that’s a good thing. That’s a very good thing. When your parents are the legendary Sam and Becky Phillips, it could be tough to grow up and thrive in their shadows. But Phillips’ life shines, not only as an extension of his family’s legacy, but also through his own accomplishments in broadcasting, producing and music. The ABA could not be prouder to induct Jerry Phillips into the Hall of Fame.
“I don’t know what I’d be doing if my dad hadn’t been such an important part of rock and roll music … all kinds of music going way back to the blues,” says Phillips. “I don’t mean to be talking so much about him, but you can’t talk about radio or music … you can’t leave him out because he learned most of the stuff that he knew through radio.”
Today, Jerry Phillips is president and co-owner of Big River Broadcasting which was founded in 1973 by Sam Phillips. Headquartered in Florence, the media company operates regional radio stations WQLT, WXFL, and WSBM.
“There’s no doubt that, what my granddad and my grandmother did musically and in broadcasting had a profound impact on his life and I really can’t see him doing anything else,” says Pillips’ daughter Halley who is vice president of Sam Phillips Music Corporation. “I’ve never known of any other hobbies of his or anything. He’s working in radio. He’s got a guitar in his hand. That’s just who he is.”
“His family obviously has a history of radio,” says Big River Broadcasting General Manager Nick Martin, who has been with the company for 33 years. “When Sam launched the careers of Elvis and the million-dollar quartet …their history with radio goes way back.”
Even with such a storied background filled with awards and honors, Halley says this ABA induction is meaningful.
“He was thrilled! He considers this like one of the highest honors of his life, truly,” she says. “And Alabama is where his mom and dad were born and where their career started. It all kind of comes back home for him.”
Phillips grew up spending time with Elvis at Graceland. Roy Orbison lived with his family for a short time. His life has been anything but normal. And yet he’s known to be very relatable and unassuming.
“It comes from the way he was raised. Sam was insistent that you don’t have somebody to do something you’re not going to do,” explains Martin. “I’ve seen Jerry cutting weeds and digging ditches just like the rest of us. He follows the same philosophy.”
“He likes to make everyone feel important,” says Halley. “It seems that every encounter he has, he walks away with more and more friends because he just treats people great. He’s just such a kind, cool person.”
“I grew up around a lot of cool people,” laughs Phillips. “I wouldn’t say I’m all that cool, but I did learn some cool lessons if there’s such a thing as a cool university. Jerry Lee and Elvis and Johnny Cash – they were in our house a lot and that was very influential on me and my whole career.”
“Jerry is extremely humble. He honestly cares,” says Martin. “In in this day when corporate structure seems to be taking over, Jerry wants things run differently. He cares deeply about his people and what they do, and that’s the reason Big River is what it is today.”
“He’s unique. He’s different. He’s not your typical radio guy,” smiles Halley. “He’s got on like cool rock and roll shirts and boots, and he stands out. He walks in the room and it’s like, who’s that? He just has a cool factor about him!”
“He’s a good person and just in my heart … I think kindness is cool”
