Erv Woolsey remembered: Country music legend's death hits home for West Virginia's Davisson Brothers Band

Some may not realize, though, that Woolsey had a strong connection with West Virginia through Harrison County’s own Davisson Brothers Band and the band’s family members.

“We met Erv Woolsey during our first single release to country radio. We always looked up to and respected Erv from afar, but never dreamed that he would want to manage our career,” Chris and Donnie Davisson recalled in a Facebook post.

“After years of hard work in the business, we started hanging out at a place called Loser’s in Midtown. It was where all the writers, artists, and industry folks hid out, and still do. One day, we met a guy sitting at the bar with long hair and tattoos, named Clint,” Chris said.

“We hit it off, shared numbers and became friends. We stayed in touch and talked about touring and writing songs and would meet up at Loser’s whenever we came to town. This went on for years. One night, we noticed Clint going behind the bar and hanging out. I asked what he was doing and he said, ‘Aw man, my Dad owns the place.’ We had no idea. Clint is just that kind of guy. He doesn’t want anything from anyone and doesn’t want to be treated differently for his last name.”

The bar’s owner: Erv Woolsey.

“During one visit, we let Clint know we had a song doing really well on XM Highway and were in need of a manager. We went home and never thought much about it. About a week later, we were on the road and I got a call from Clint. He said, ‘Hey man, my Dad is interested in managing you!’” Chris said.

“I remember being so excited that I had to pull off at the next exit. He went on to say that Erv wanted to call and talk to us. I asked when, and he said, ‘Now.’

“I will never forget, I looked down and sure enough, Erv Woolsey was calling. He introduced himself and said he had been watching us for a while now, and wanted to manage us. Within 5 minutes, we became partners.”

But it was more than just a business arrangement as the Davisson Brothers, their band and family quickly found a home with Erv Woolsey’s crew.

Perhaps they bonded over their commitment to hard work and the roots of country music. Perhaps it was their commitment to family, to friends and fans.

“We became family with Erv, Clint, and Connie, and his partners Allen Mitchell, Jeff Barbour, Felicity Tidwell, Dottie Oelhafen, Tom Cheney and Eddie Tidwell. Erv Woolsey Company went on to manage Nick Davisson and work with our nephews, writers and producers Landon McFadden and Gerrod Bee. Erv not only believed in us, he believed in our family,” Donnie and Chris related.

“He meant so much more to us than a manager. He was part of the family,” Chris said, explaining that Woolsey opened his home, his talents and guidance to the whole Davisson family.

“He went on to work with my entire family and give them opportunities to come to Nashville and put them on his farm and ranch,” Chris said, saying that Woolsey had worked with all three of his nephews — Nick Davisson, Gerrod Bee and Landon McFadden — to help them gain a foothold in the business.

“He was always looking for that next talent, that next star. And he had that knack to build with them. ... He just he believed in our family and he believed in West Virginia.

Chris shared that the Davissons had had Woolsey to West Virginia several times, and he thoroughly enjoyed it.

“He comes from a similar background in Texas ... just hard-working, blue collar. We kind of resonated with each other and shared a lot of stories.

“We’ve had him right here in Clarksburg, West Virginia ... downtown at the old PJ Kelley’s, out at Pete Dye. For a guy with his background, he was just comfortable with people,” Chris said.

“He was always looking for the next artist and that was just such an honor for us to be such a small part of his life. To be part of his effort to find the next success story ... he believed in us that way and we believed in him.”

“Erv had the best ear and eye I have ever witnessed in the industry. He was a bigger than life character, a real life cowboy who walked with grace and swagger. He was beyond cool and had knowledge that only comes from a lifetime of work and dedication,” Chris said.

“Erv had a keen attention to detail and looked at the world through a different lens. He was always the quiet guy in the room, but when he spoke, everyone listened. He was an elder in the community and a mentor to hundreds of people lucky enough to know him. He had an answer for every question we ever asked him.

“My favorite memory of Erv is that no matter what he had going on with his other artists, he always made time for us and treated us as equals. Erv had a genuine passion to succeed, and that success had nothing to do with money.”

The Davisson Brothers said they learned much from the man, in terms of country music for sure, but also in terms of family and life.

“Erv loved nothing more in life than standing with a glass full of scotch, listening to old country music and telling stories. He always had a brilliant way of telling you life lessons within his stories. He was a hard man to get to know but once he knew you and trusted you, you had his heart. He was one of a kind,” Chris said.

“Erv was the very definition of a gentlemen, one of the classiest, most down-to-earth guys. He lived his life on his handshake and his word,” he said.

“Erv Woolsey knew business, but more importantly, he knew love, love for people and love for what you do in life,” the brothers said, adding, “We love you Erv. They say ‘old cowboys never die, they just ride off into the sunset.’ That’s exactly how we will remember you.”