Music industry legend Glen Richard “Rick” Rockhill, known affectionately as “Rocket” to colleagues throughout Nashville and Atlanta’s music circles, passed away peacefully at his home in Panama City, Florida on August 29, 2025, at the age of 80.
Rockhill had relocated to Panama City Beach just a year earlier to be closer to family members in his final chapter. His storied career began in Nashville as a promotions executive, eventually spanning decades across multiple major and independent labels including Bang Records, Capricorn Records, Curb Records, DreamWorks Nashville, MCA, and Edgehill Music & Media.
A Nashville promotions veteran whose influence stretched across major labels from Bang and Capricorn to DreamWorks and beyond.
During the 1990s, Rockhill partnered with Tari Laes at Tandem Promotions, solidifying his reputation as an influential industry figure with a keen eye for talent. Throughout his career, Rockhill proved instrumental in developing and promoting numerous country and southern rock artists who would become household names.
His impressive roster included Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wynonna Judd, and Loretta Lynn. Rockhill was highly regarded for his innovative approach to audience engagement, consistently leveraging emerging promotional channels to connect artists with their fans. Colleagues praised his ability to identify promising talent and nurture careers across changing industry landscapes.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Rockhill maintained diverse personal interests including hiking at Radnor Lake, fly fishing, documentary films, and staying informed on current events. He was a pioneer in helping artists develop diverse revenue streams that included merchandise sales, streaming royalties, and sync deals for film and television. He was predeceased by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Rockhill of Birmingham. Family remained central to his life, particularly his daughter Cayce, granddaughters Bayleigh and Savannah, and great-grandson Brooks.
His influence extended geographically across Nashville and Atlanta music hubs, where he helped bridge traditional and contemporary country music scenes through innovative promotion strategies. His final professional role at Bang Records marked the culmination of a distinguished career dedicated to music promotion excellence. Industry peers respected him not only for his business acumen but also for his mentorship of younger professionals.
Following news of his passing, tributes have poured in across social media platforms from artists, executives, and colleagues whose lives he touched. A celebration of life is planned for Nashville in late September or early October 2025, where the music community will gather to honor his lasting legacy and contributions to an industry he helped shape for more than half a century.
