While you may not recognize Bill McElhiney’s name, you almost certainly know his work. Born in New Orleans on this day (May 20) in 1915, the trumpeter and musical arranger boasts a resume that includes collaborations with Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Marty Robbins, Dolly Parton, and more. Today, we’re reflecting on the life and career of William Krohmer “Bill” McElhiney, an influential architect of the Nashville sound.
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The Many Contributions of Bill McElhiney
Bill McElhiney became one of the most prolific musical arrangers in Nashville in the 1960s and 1970s. His career began touring with big-band swing bands in the 1930s.
By the mid-1950s, McElhiney had made his way to country music’s epicenter. He landed a full-time gig as part of WSM’s staff orchestra and led an all-star ensemble of jazz musicians…