Brad Fischer, journalist, columnist, and account executive with Nashville Music Guide , passed away on February 12, 2010, at the age of 73 due to kidney and heart complications. He leaves behind his daughter Dallas Fischer in Syracuse NY, his daughter Tracy Stevenson and two grandchildren, Millie and Levi Stevenson, in Sydney and his brother Robert Fischer and his sister Coleen Robinson in Melbourne.
Besides his regular CD review column entitled “Fischer About You,” he authored several articles on country stars, undiscovered artists and news events. One story was on the murder of Skull Schulman, which, with the help of late producer Michael Shockley, was instrumental in bringing the TV show, “Americans Most Wanted” to Nashville.
Brad Fischer was born on January 1, 1937 in Jeparit, Australia and pursued a career as a fighter pilot in the Australian Air Force. But after poor eyesight from an illness grounded him, he landed an ad copy job with an Australian ad agency, and an illustrious 2nd career was born. His “Russian Roulette” commercial against drunk driving, which was commissioned by the government of New Zealand , was broadcast internationally including “Good Morning America” in the US. The video, still regarded as one of most powerful anti-drug commercials ever produced, resulted in Brad Fischer receiving his first Cleo, a national award recognizing excellence in advertising akin to receiving an Oscar for film. His crowning achievement was as the political ad campaign director for Robert Muldoon, which resulted in Muldoon’s election as prime minister of New Zealand in l981. He came to the North America in 1970 and worked extensively in LA, Toronto and Atlanta prior to relocating to Nashville in l986. His resume instantly landed him a position in Nashville working for McCann-Erickson, one of Nashville’s top advertising agencies at the time. His client list reads like the who‘s who of fortune 500 companies including Gallo Wine, Qantas Airlines, Dominion Bank, Viacom Cable, Volkswagen to mention a few.
In semi-retirement, he accepted a position with Nashville Music Guide in 1995, and his expertise has made the Nashville Music Guide into “the music bible of music city” with an avid readership of both industry, artists and fans.
His last wish was he wanted people not to mourn his death, but to celebrate his life. Therefore as stated in his will, friends and associates wishing to bid him farewell are welcome to stop by for a “ceremony of his life.” The event will take place at his regular watering hole, the Greenland Pub, at 3765-B Nolensville Pike on Saturday February 27 from 2 pm to 6 pm. Pub number is (615) 333-7484
His favorite salutation will be sorely missed around Nashville, “What’s Up Mate, What Do You Got To Say For Yourself.”
Written by Dan Wunsch – Associate Editor of Nashville Music Guide
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