Jeremy Tepper Death: Influential American Jeremy Evan Tepper, a musician, journalist, and record executive, has died at 60 from a heart attack. His wife, Laura Cantrell, confirmed this on social media.
Who Was Jeremy Tepper?
Jeremy Evan Tepper was a key figure in the music industry. He led the band World Famous Blue Jays and co-founded Diesel Only Records in 1990. His partners were Jay Sherman-Godfrey and Albert Caiati. Notably, he was a major force in the alt-country scene. Tepper managed to become a top figure at Diesel Only. His career also saw him as the managing editor of Vending Times. He later became the publisher and editor of Street Beat, a trade journal. Additionally, he worked as a country music critic for Pulse! magazine. In 2004, he joined Sirius Satellite Radio. There, he managed the Outlaw Country channel. Tepper’s influence was felt over his two-decade tenure.
Jeremy Tepper’s Education and Career
Jeremy Tepper graduated from New York University. His father, Noel Tepper, was a lawyer in Poughkeepsie, New York, and his mother, Elly Tepper, was a third-grade teacher at Keolu Elementary School in Kailua, Honolulu County, Hawaii. In 1997, he married Laura Cantrell, and together they had a daughter named Bella. Tepper’s career was marked by his passion for music and journalism. Peter Blackstock, co-founder of No Depression magazine, once described Tepper as “a unique and indispensable cog in the alt-country underground,” recognizing his more than three decades of contributions to the genre.
Tributes and Legacy
Jeremy Tepper’s death deeply saddened the music community. Steven Van Zandt, E Street Band guitarist and “Underground Garage” founder, mourned his loss. He highlighted Tepper’s brilliance in managing the “Outlaw Country” station on SiriusXM. Van Zandt also extended condolences to Tepper’s loved ones on social media.
Tepper’s main impact was on the “Outlaw Country” channel, which he turned into a hub for diverse country voices. He also worked on the “Willie’s Roadhouse” and “Road Dog Trucking” channels at SiriusXM.
In 1996, Diesel Only Records, Tepper’s label, gained fame with “Big Rig Deluxe.” This album featured Marty Stuart, Buck Owens, and Steve Earle. Initially focused on “trucker music,” the label later released albums for artists like Laura Cantrell, Dale Watson, and Ween.
Jeremy Tepper’s legacy includes shaping the alt-country scene, innovative music journalism, and championing diverse talents. His death is a big loss, but his impact will be felt for years.