Edward Penney

Born in Canbridge, Massachusetts on August 21, 1925

Departed on December 29, 2014 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

Penney, Edward Joseph, Jr. "Ed" age 89 of Nashville and Monteagle, died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on December 29, 2014.

He was preceded in death by mother Helen and father Edward J. Penney, Sr. and son-in-law Dan Askew. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on August 21,1925.

Mr. Penney graduated from Newton High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served for three years in the Pacific Theater of World War II, attaining the rank of Sergeant. He attended Emerson College and worked in Boston area radio stations, hosting the popular music show "Penney Serenade."

Mr. Penney was named one of the ten most influential disc jockeys in America by Variety Magazine. In 1960 he opened the public relations company Ed Penney and Associates representing entertainers, music publishers, motion picture companies, and sports figures. In 1971 he moved to Nashville to concentrate on his favorite vocation, songwriting.
Among the artists who recorded his songs were Glen Campbell, Barbara Mandrell, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams, Jr, Eddy Arnold, Anne Murray, and rap artist DMX.

Mr. Penney wrote and produced Grammy nominated "Somebody's Knockin" for Terri Gibbs in 1981, who won the inaugural CMA Horizon Award that same year.

He served on the Board of Governors of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for 8 years, and served on the Boards of the Songwriters Guild of America, the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and the Southern Songwriter's Advisory Board for ASCAP.

He won National Songwriter's Association Achievement Award in 1980 and SESAC Producer of the Year in 1981. Following his retirement from music Mr. Penney opened Dad's Old Bookstore in 1984, where he shared his love and knowledge of rare books and autographs with collectors in Nashville and around the world. Mr. Penney is survived by his wife of 59 years, Patricia, children Linda Floyd (Frank), Edward Penney, Wayne Penney (Julie), Diane Penney, Elaine Askew, Kathleen Penney, Kevin Penney (Patty), 11 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Mr. Penney's extraordinary life and legacy will be celebrated at Christ the King Church, 3001 Belmont Blvd, Nashville TN on Saturday, January 3.

Visitation will be from 9:15am to 10:00am, eulogies from 10:00am to 10:30am ending with a celebratory mass at 10:30am. Internment immediately following at Harpeth Hills Memorial Garden, 9090 Highway 100. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.