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Sometimes you can\u2019t escape your past. In the case of Jerry Phillips, that\u2019s a good thing. That\u2019s 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\u2019 life shines, not only as an extension of his family\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don’t know what I’d be doing if my dad hadn\u2019t been such an important part of rock and roll music \u2026 all kinds of music going way back to the blues,\u201d says Phillips. \u201cI don’t mean to be talking so much about him, but you can’t talk about radio or music \u2026 you can’t leave him out because he learned most of the stuff that he knew through radio.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere’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,\u201d says Pillips\u2019 daughter Halley who is vice president of Sam Phillips Music Corporation. \u201cI’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.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cHis family obviously has a history of radio,\u201d says Big River Broadcasting General Manager Nick Martin, who has been with the company for 33 years. \u201cWhen Sam launched the careers of Elvis and the million-dollar quartet \u2026their history with radio goes way back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even with such a storied background filled with awards and honors, Halley says this ABA induction is meaningful.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was thrilled! He considers this like one of the highest honors of his life, truly,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd Alabama is where his mom and dad were born and where their career started. It all kind of comes back home for him.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s known to be very relatable and unassuming.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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,\u201d explains Martin. \u201cI’ve seen Jerry cutting weeds and digging ditches just like the rest of us. He follows the same philosophy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe likes to make everyone feel important,\u201d says Halley. \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up around a lot of cool people,\u201d laughs Phillips. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJerry is extremely humble. He honestly cares,\u201d says Martin. \u201cIn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s unique. He’s different. He’s not your typical radio guy,\u201d smiles Halley. \u201cHe’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!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s a good person and just in my heart \u2026 I think kindness is cool\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sometimes you can\u2019t escape your past. In the case of Jerry Phillips, that\u2019s a good thing. That\u2019s 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\u2019 life shines, not only as an extension of his family\u2019s … Continue reading Jerry Phillips<\/span>