George Richey

George was a successful songwriter/record producer based in California before coming to Nashville in 1967. George joined Columbia/Epic (now Sony Records) as a staff producer at the behest of legendary producer Billy Sherrill. While at Columbia/Epic, George worked with artists such as The Oak Ridge Boys, The Starter Brothers, Burl Ives and Connie Smith, among many others. During that time he produced the crossover country/pop hit “Kay” with John Wesley Ryles. 

In 1969 George became the head of Capitol Records Nashville, where he continued producing. Some of the legendary names produced by George at Capitol were Merle Haggard, Tex Ritter, Roy Rogers, Sonny James and Freddie Hart. In 1970 George produced “Easy Loving” with Freddie Hart, named the Country Music Association song of the year in both 1970 and 1971. The best-selling single at Capitol Records that year, “Easy Loving” even outsold the Beatles current single at the time. 

Twice named Producer of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, George has earned gold and platinum records with such diverse artists as Elton John, Aaron Neville, Tammy Wynette, Lorrie Morgan, Freddie Hart, and for companies such as MCA Records, RCA Records, Sony Records, Capitol Records and A & M Records.

In addition to his prowess as a producer, George has also garnered 18 BMI awards for songwriting. He’s written hits recorded by dozens of artists, including Tammy Wynette, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Faith Hill, Billy Gilman, Marina McBride, Aaron Neville, Reba McEntire and many others. Songwriting led George to establish his own publishing company, Brougham Hall Music Inc., of which he was both founder and president until selling to British firm ATV Music, now part of Sony/ATV/Tree Music. Brougham Hall Music Inc. owned and published such well-known songs as “Lucille” by Kenny Rogers, “Blanket On The Ground” by Billie Jo Spears, as well as hits by George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette and countless others. 

George put in time on both sides of the recording studio. Until devoting himself exclusively to his other musical talents, George was for many years in great demand as a record session keyboardist. His piano skills can be heard on recordings by Tammy Wynette, Marty Robbins, Johnny Paycheck, Ringo Starr, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich and others. 

After many years of working in nearly every aspect of the recording industry, George married Tammy Wynette and spent the next two decades dedicated to managing her career and nurturing their life together. 

The TV series GEORGE & TAMMY, which premieres on Showtime tonight, was not authorized or approved by the George Richey family or his estate.   

We have great respect for the art of music and storytelling, as our family has over 70 combined years in the arts. The late George Richey spent most of his life creating music and helping to bring it to audiences worldwide. His widow, Sheila Richey, has been in the industry since 1993.

We were not contacted by the executives, producers, writers, or actors of this unauthorized series for our approval or input. While the infamous love story of George Jones and Tammy Wynette was one for the ages, this series is told through the eyes of their disgruntled daughter.

George Richey said that George Jones was the greatest singer the world had ever known. They had great respect for one another fondly referring to each other as "husband in-laws." Tammy was the great love of Richey's life, as he was hers. Tammy treasured his business acumen, devotion to God, and family. George Jones’s widow of 32 years was also not consulted.

The narratives that Georgette Jones and her sisters have continuously sold to the world through tabloids and in salacious books since Tammy's death are a travesty to both Richey and Tammy's legacies. 

Our hope is that we are pleasantly surprised by what we see on the small screen. Nothing would please us more. These musical giants deserve to be respected, and their fans deserve a correct portrayal.  

Please visit these sites www.georgeandtammy.com and www.georgerichey.com. for ongoing updates to separate fact from fiction in this series.