Chronicle: Former Capitol VP/A&R Larry Willoughby passed away yesterday (1/14) from coronavirus. He was 73. Willoughby entered the scene as a singer/songwriter and released his debut album Building Bridges in 1984 via Atlantic. While only the title track garnered any significant airplay, songs were picked up and covered by other artists; Brooks & Dunn took “Building Bridges” to the Top 10 in 2006, and Eddy Raven covered “Heart On The Line (Operator, Operator)” as “Operator, Operator” in 1985. Other Willoughby compositions were recorded by The Oak Ridge Boys; Waylon Jennings; and his cousin, singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell, who had also produced Willoughby’s album. Upon making the transition to A&R, Willoughby worked for MCA and Capitol before exiting amid the North American restructuring of EMI America in 2008 (CAT 6/24/08). Willoughby was integral in the signing of many artists in the early 2000s, including Luke Bryan, who posted a moving tribute via Instagram. “This guy believed in me and rolled the dice on a goofy boy from Georgia,” says Bryan. Willoughby’s son, Jesse Willoughby, also works in the industry, currently serving as Kobalt/Nashville GM. Services are pending.