Ron Baird, 60

Ron Baird, former head of CAA’s Nashville, Tenn., office and agent to many of country music's leading artists, died in Nashville on Feb. 3, 2011, of complications from Parkinson's disease. He had just celebrated his 60th birthday.

Ron is survived by his wife, Cheryl; their sons, John and wife Jenny, and Marc and wife Kennon; and four grandchildren, James, Kate, Finley and Cooper. He is also survived by his brother, Rick and wife Louann; and brother, George and wife Connie and four nieces.

Ron formed his first band when he was in the second grade, marking the beginning of his lifelong career in music. Ron worked for the Jim Halsey Agency where he booked artists, including Roy Clark, Donna Fargo, Merle Haggard, George Jones, The Judds, Brenda Lee, Ronnie Milsap, Rick Nelson, Oak Ridge Boys, Mel Tillis, Conway Twitty, Don Williams, Tammy Wynette and Dottie West, among others. The Jim Halsey Agency was purchased by The William Morris Agency where Ron worked until opening the Nashville office for CAA in 1991.

The one-man operation started in Ron’s house and grew into the 55-person team it is today. In his 13 years as a CAA agent, Ron oversaw the careers of Clint Black, Billy Dean, Jennifer Hanson, Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Barbara Mandrell, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Joe Nichols, Olivia Newton John, Little Texas, Jamie O’Neal, Julie Roberts and Shania Twain, among many others.

Ron served as chairman of the board for the Country Music Association in 2003 and was president of the Country Music Association in 2002. He was also an associate board member of W.O. Smith and an alumnus of Leadership Music.

Voted Country Agent of the Year for three years (1996-1998) by Performance Magazine, he was named Third Coast Agent of the Year in 1999 by Pollstar. Ron retired in 2004.

Ron was an extraordinary man whose dedication to his family and passion for his clients and colleagues alike have long inspired those who knew him.  He had a great love for his sons, Marc and John, his wife, Cheryl, his home state of Montana, and his music. Ron had a heart of gold and a generous spirit, and it is those qualities that will be the legacy of this wonderful soul. It was an honor to know him and have him in our lives.

Ron was born and raised in Bigfork and maintained close ties to his home state throughout his life. In college, he participated in the junior year abroad program in Heidelberg, Germany, and was a graduate of the University of Montana in Missoula.

He was also an Eagle Scout, and an avid skier and outdoorsman, often taking backpacking trips in Glacier National Park.

Please join Ron’s family for a celebration of his life from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Feb. 9, at Hillwood Country Club (6201 Hickory Valley Road, Nashville, TN).

 Contributions may be made to Vanderbilt Parkinson's Research Fund, (www.giving.vanderbilt.edu); the Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org); The Salvation Army (www.Salarmy-Nashville.org); or the Glacier National Park Fund (www.glaciernationalparkfund.org).

Arrangements are by Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral home, 6115-327-1111.