Chronicle: Veteran singer, songwriter, producer and label executive Richard Landis has passed away. He was 77. Born and raised in New York City, Landis had a modest pop career in the early '70s before moving to talent acquisition for Capitol in Los Angeles. In 1981, he produced Juice Newton's breakthrough album, Juice. Among 50 subsequent production credits are Lorrie Morgan and Vince Gill. Landis moved to Nashville in the early '90s, serving as VP/A&R for BNA Records and later, Giant Records. He co-owned Loud Recording studio with James Stroud from 1993 to 2000; in 2007 he opened his own studio, Fool On The Hill, which he later sold to Peter Frampton. No word on services.

Veteran talent buyer George Moffett passed May 14. He was 86. Born in Zanesville, OH, Moffett founded Variety Attractions in 1961 after helping schedule local bands in college. The agency has since booked more than $1.2 billion in contracts. Moffett was named Talent Buyer of the Year three times by the ACM and four by the CMA. He served three terms on the CMA Board, was a founding member of the International Country Music Buyers (which became the International Entertainment Buyers Association) and was inducted into the initial class of the International Entertainment Buyers Hall of Fame (2010). Visitation will be May 19 from 5pm to 8pm at Snouffer Funeral Home (1150 W. Military Rd., Zanesville OH 43701); funeral will be May 20 at the Snouffer Chapel; burial will follow at Zanesville Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the George Moffett Scholarship fund here. Full obituary here.