[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CECIL SCAIFE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 12, 2008

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
accomplishments of Cecil Scaife and other key individuals who helped 
transform Nashville, Tennessee, into Music City, USA. Tonight at the 
historic Ryman Auditorium, Belmont University will present Nashville 
Celebrates Elvis! to highlight Elvis Presley's important contributions 
to the recording industry in Nashville. The event will also honor the 
contributions of Cecil Scaife and benefit the Cecil Scaife Music 
Business Scholarship Fund. The work done by Cecil, Bob Mulloy, and 
other industry leaders to found and nurture what would become the Mike 
Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University 
built upon the success of Elvis and other early pioneers to cement the 
place of Nashville in the entertainment landscape of our country.
   Beginning in radio in the 1950s and then moving into the recording 
business, Cecil Scaife eventually became the first promotions manager 
for the legendary producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records in Memphis. 
Cecil would play a key role in the early careers of not just Elvis, but 
also Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. He 
also worked in the first three-track recording studio in Nashville and 
the RCA Victor Studio B where Elvis recorded some of his greatest hits.
   Not content with enjoying his personal success, Cecil Scaife joined 
with others in 1971 to lay the groundwork for the music business 
program at Belmont University. He taught there, established a 
scholarship to honor his wife, Sherytha, and made sure all of his 
children were educated there. His work helped ensure that the program 
would become a model for other music schools around the country. This 
program ensured that Nashville would never run short on talented. well-
prepared, home-grown music business professionals ready to lead 
Nashville's music industry into the future.
   Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Cecil Scaife, Belmont University, and all those who have worked so hard 
to make sure Nashville, Tennessee, will always be one of the musical 
and cultural treasures of our country.

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