Music industry veteran Chuck Rhodes marks 40 years in Entertainment
Music industry veteran Chuck Rhodes’ career has ranged from a sought after studio session player in Los Angeles to programming one of the most legendary radio stations in America, KVIL Radio in Dallas-Ft. Worth. The industry icon is marking 40 years in the industry.
A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Rhodes moved to L.A. in the ’70s where he began his career as a keyboard player, working with Cher, Ray Charles, and many more. Returning to the Lone Star state in the ’80s, he transitioned to radio and was part of the team that made KVIL Dallas/Ft. Worth the No. 1 A/C station in America.
A move to Nashville in the mid-1980s garnered Rhodes record label promotion and management experience that including stints at MCA Records, (including working with Irving Azoff and Jimmy Bowen), Giant Records, and Magnatone Records. His experience included developing and launching independent country label Audium/Koch Records/eOne Nashville and overseeing operations of the BFD/Audium Nashville label with Bob Frank and his New York team. Rhodes worked with artists that included Ringo Starr, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Billy Dean, Collin Raye, the estate of Charlie Daniels, Johnny Lee, and Deborah Allen.
In 1990, Rhodes helped develop Giant Records, along with Azoff, mega-producer James Stroud, and radio promotion executive Nick Hunter. This power team scored an incredable seven No. 1 singles with Clay Walker and launched the career of the late Daryle Singletary, who Rhodes worked with for 25 years. Rhodes has also worked with legends like the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, Loretta Lynn, Kenny Rogers, and Charlie Daniels. Chuck continues to develop talent and is currently helming his own entertainment company, On the Rhodes Entertainment, and his record label/distribution company in partnership with David Branch at Chess Moves, LLC.
Rhodes states: “I am beyond blessed and thankful to have made my own way in the music business here in Nashville for the past 40 years, but could not have done it without those who have mentored me and supported me along the way. All legendary in their own right. Jimmy Bowen, Nick Hunter, James Stroud, Tony Brown, Shelia Shipley Biddy and Bob Frank just to name a few… These men and women have inspired, taught, and prepared me to take on a leadership role in this business of music and entertainment we all love.”
On The Rhodes Entertainment offers music production fueled by world class Nashville session players. Chuck Rhodes, in cooperation with famed producer Buddy Hyatt of Buddy Hyatt Music, offers affordable custom master recording. Rhodes is also available as a consultant on marketing and social media solutions.
Chuck has a history of working with leading social media companies and marketing outlets, such as BubbleUp, InKind Music, VNTG PR and many others. Rhodes offers management consultation on a limited basis.
He says, “I am so excited about the upcoming year working with burgeoning country/pop artist Neah McMeen, Country traditionalist Faron Hamblin and developing the new non-profit organization Country Music Autism Awareness Foundation with Country/Christian artist Doug Mathis.”
More projects are slated to be announced in 2025.
