Robert Edwin "Bob" BURWELL

BURWELL - Robert Edwin "Bob"
Age 71, of Saranac Lake, NY, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2022, in Albany, NY, surrounded by his loving family. The oldest of three children, Bob was born in Buffalo, NY, to Robert Burwell and Mary Lou (Herald) Burwell and raised in Kenmore, NY, and Tonawanda, NY. Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert Burwell, and mother, Mary Lou (Herald) Burwell. Visitation will be held at LESTER H. WEDEKINDT, INC. FUNERAL HOME, in Kenmore, NY (3290 Delaware Ave.), on Friday, August 26, 2022, from 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 10 AM at St. Mark's Lutheran Church Kenmore in Buffalo, NY (576 Delaware Rd.), with interment at Glenwood Cemetery in Silver Creek, NY (12078 Old Main Rd.). Pastor Jeremiah P. Smith will officiate. Lunch at Sunset Grill in Irving, NY (1025 Main Rd.) will follow. Bob is survived by his wife, Dana Burwell; daughter, Carly Burwell; brother, Mike Burwell; sister, Sue Lundquist; and many cherished nephews, nieces and cousins. Bob was a one-of-a-kind music industry luminary, and beloved member of the music business community, with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He excelled as an artist manager, concert promoter, label executive and music publisher for nearly five decades. He got his start as a student at SUNY Fredonia, where he served as the concert chairman, booking acts like Billy Joel and Daryl Hall & John Oates, before they broke nationally. Bob's first professional job in Tulsa, OK, with his mentor and lifelong friend, Jim Halsey, at the famed Jim Halsey Company resulted in working all over the world with artists such as The Oak Ridge Boys, Roy Clark, and Don Williams. Following his time in Tulsa, Bob moved to Nashville, TN, where he worked for decades as an executive and manager at Dreamcatcher Artist Management, Dreamcatcher Records and Vector Management, among others. Known for his bigger-than-life personality, sly sense of humor, inventive ideas, unparalleled storytelling abilities, and a keen ability to tell it like it is, Bob was a champion for artists, musicians, and songwriters, particularly those who didn't fit into the mainstream. He loved playing guitar and had a soft spot for guitarists, as evidenced by his creation of the Guitar Town Festival, held annually for well over a decade, in Copper Mountain, CO. Bob created the Warner Western record label imprint in addition to the successful annual WestFest concerts in Copper Mountain, CO, which later morphed into the popular Copper Country Music Festival. His hand helped guide the careers of Kenny Rogers, Leon Russell, Dwight Yoakam, Steve Vai, Michael Martin Murphey, John Jorgenson, Lee Roy Parnell, Mark Selby and many more. A mentor to many, Bob was always quick to provide wise counsel, whether it be to family members and friends or clients and colleagues. When people spoke about Bob, they would often speak of his toughness, loyalty, kindness, and generosity (he loved to help others), as well as the great love he had for life, his family and friends, and music and sports. Bob cherished his most important roles in life: being a son, brother, husband, father and friend. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bob's honor to MusiCares, a 501(c)(3) charity founded by the Recording Academy that has provided millions of dollars in health, financial, and rehabilitation resources to music people in times of need. To give in memory of Bob, visit: musicares.org/donations. Share online condolences at www.lesterwedekindtfuneralhome.com