Frank Fenter To Enter Georgia Music Hall Of Fame

FRANK FENTER, CAPRICORN RECORDS CO-FOUNDER AND MUSIC INDUSTRY INNOVATOR
SET FOR GEORGIA MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION THIS SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

The late Frank Fenter will be recognized for his contributions to the music industry with his posthumous induction into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The 36th Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards Show will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014.

More than 30 years since his untimely death, the Johannesburg, South Africa-born and Macon, GA-based Fenter, is being recognized for his pioneering efforts through a broach spectrum of musical genres and movements including Southern rock, Rhythm and Blues and British rock. Others being recognized for their contribution to Georgia music, along with Fenter, include country music chart-toppers Lady Antebellum, Ed Roland of Collective Soul, blues singer Francine Reed, Capricorn Records’ group Wet Willie, comedian Jeff Foxworthy and talent scout/entrepreneur Danny Beard. Also slated for induction are James Brown’s musical collaborator Bobby Byrd, blues guitar great Sean Costello, gospel music’s Wally Fowler and film composer Eddie Horst, all of the aforementioned will be inducted posthumously.

After moving to Britain, Frank Fenter joined Atlantic Records where he became the company’s first European Managing Director. In that capacity, he helped discover and sign Led Zeppelin, Yes and King Crimson, firmly establishing Atlantic. The late Ahmet Ertegun, Atlantic’s Chairman hailed Fenter’s efforts that saw the label become the single most important US company in nurturing and promoting British Rock. Fenter was also instrumental in introducing American soul music to Europe with the legendary “Hit the Road Stax” tour, which included Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Booker T. & the MG’s, Carla Thomas, Eddie Floyd and others. The tour attracted massive press and public attention and drew such notable audience members as members of The Who, Beatles, Rolling Stones and Animals.
In 1969, Fenter, along with partner Phil Walden, co-founded Capricorn Records, the label that is most singularly associated with a genre that would be known as Southern rock. Fenter was integral in helping launch The Allman Brothers Band, Wet Willie, The Marshall Tucker Band and Elvin Bishop Group, among others, into commercial prominence, making Capricorn one of the most successful independent music companies in America.

Born in South Africa on February 25, 1936, Fenter emigrated to England to pursue a career in acting. Concurrently, he became involved in the music business and held posts with Chappell Music, Liberty-Imperial Records and, later, Chess Records’ ARC Music. In 1966 he was chosen by Atlantic’s Nesuhi Ertegun to head the label’s UK operations and was soon promoted to European Managing Director. Thereafter he joined with Phil and Alan Walden in forming Macon-based Capricorn which, initially, was distributed by Atlantic, later moving to Warner Bros. Distrubution within that same label family. Fenter died, tragically, in 1983 at the age of 47 in Macon.

Frank Fenter’s son, Rob duner-Fenter, will be present to represent his father at the GHOF ceremonies this Saturday. He stated, “He was the best father ever, and I am delighted that he has finally gotten due recognition for the significant contributions he made to the music industry. As his only son, it’s an honor to share his story.”