Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Obituary Jayne Rogovin, Veteran Nashville Publicist and Music Industry Insider, Dies
Posted by Jack Silverman on Tue, Feb 14, 2012 at 12:24 AM
With her boyfriend John McTigue on drums, Jayne did a version of The Beatles' "With a Little Help From My Friends." She had already been battling cancer for some time, and the song was the perfect shout-out to the community of friends that had embraced her throughout her fight. She strummed a few chords on an acoustic guitar at the beginning, but after struggling to hit the right chords, she gave up the guitar. Instead, she just belted out the song, vocal and drums, as chills went through the crowd. Midway through the song, she removed her wig to reveal her bald head, hairless from round after round of radiation and chemo. It was one of the most touching and electric moments I'd experienced seeing someone perform.
And that was Jayne. Bold, unafraid, open with her pain and struggles, unwilling to let a stupid disease cramp her style. (Shortly after that performance, a benefit show for Jayne at Cabana brought out movers and shakers like Steve Cropper, Raul Malo, Mandy Barnett, Foster & Lloyd, Jim Lauderdale and more. Read Kay West's touching story on the event here.)
Jayne died yesterday evening.
I'd known Jayne for many years, and the evolution of our friendship is kind of amusing when I look back on it. In the first couple of years we knew each other, to be frank, an email or call from Jayne would trigger a bit of anxiety. After all, I was a journalist, and she was a tenacious publicist, so intent on helping out the artists, events and organizations she represented that I knew she wasn't going to give up until she made the absolute best case why the Scene should cover her clients.
For instance, I remember several years ago, when she relentlessly argued for greater coverage for the Americana Music Festival, phone call after lunch after email after phone call. Finally, she convinced us to put it on the cover. In retrospect — and with the hindsight of seeing what a huge success the festival has become, in large part due to her work — it was clearly the right decision, and she knew exactly what she was talking about.
Soon thereafter, I started to develop a real respect and fondness for Jayne, not to mention trust in her opinion. She knew where to pick her battles, and respected us when we had to pass on covering an artist. And I'd start to see her at functions and concerts and such, and we became genuine friends. Not "call each other and hang out" friends, but friends who always took the time to catch up with each other.
After she was diagnosed with cancer, our friendship grew even more. She showed up at some of my band's shows at Family Wash. Just a couple months ago, I played a couple songs at the John Lennon Imagine No Handguns benefit, and I dedicated one to her: "I Dig a Pony," in honor of her lifelong passion for horses. In fact, I had to beg her to stick around till we got onstage, because she needed to get home for meds. I told her I had a surprise for her.
My girlfriend Wendy and I had a couple of long and lovely conversations with her over the past year or two. One such conversation, at a party last summer, was particularly memorable.
It's funny and strange and a little bit twisted how a devastating and deadly disease can seem to magnify the beauty and sweetness of a soul while it's ravaging their body. Anyone who spent time around Jayne during her illness knows that as wonderful as she was in health, she somehow became even more fabulous during her final months, exuding a glow and sense of peace that suggested everything was going to be all right, no matter what the outcome. Of course, I only saw her in public from time to time, and didn't witness the pain and suffering she endured privately. Still, when I saw her, more often than not, I felt like she was comforting me more than I was comforting her.
So I sit here at a computer keyboard at midnight, sad, though a little amused at the irony (an irony that I know Jayne would appreciate): Seven or eight years ago, I dreaded phone calls from a relentless and dedicated publicist named Jayne Rogovin, and here I am tonight, tears rolling down my face because I'll never get a call from her again.
If you're one of Jayne's countless friends and colleagues, and you need a little solace and company, I'm sure you'll find out at the 2012 Love Is Deaf, which takes place tonight at 8 p.m. at Douglas Corner. In fact, when I wrote the Critics' Pick about it last week, Jayne was the centerpiece. Little did I know what the week held in store.
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Comments (14)
Showing 1-14 of 14
Thank you Jack. This will mean so much to her family, as it does to me. She was at peace when she passed, and surrounded by love and her mother and aunt singing, of all things, "New York, New York." We are so grateful for her life.
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Thank YOU, Kay. For all the hard work you did, not just to take care of Jayne, but to keep all of her friends in the loop. Your email updates really helped kept me (and so many others) informed about what she was going through, and provided so much perspective. Everyone should be lucky enough to have a friend like you.
Jack, that was a truly beautiful tribute for a very special, beautiful woman. Jayne and I became fast friends almost 20 years ago...two girls from Long Island, making Nashville their home. I know it will comfort her friends and family to hear stories like this, about how she touched so many people's hearts, in so many ways. Thank you.
Randi Michaels
Jack, what a lovely tribute. It made me smile, too. While I got to work in tandem with her a few times, I at first had the opportunity to be on the other end when a show she was working with was coming to public television. I remember calling a colleague to ask if she knew Jayne, and what was her deal. Yes, she knew her, they were practically best friends. "Oh, she's a pitbull," I was told, "but that's why she's so good." And she was ... and she was .... and we grew to respect each other, becomes friends and colleagues, and eventually help each other out a bit. When a friend I knew was managing a new artist and asked me to recommend a publicist, Jayne was the first person I sent them too. Not because she was relentless. But because she cared. About the people she represented, and the people she represented them to. Thanks Jack, for writing through the tears.
Well put, Joe. Pitbull! Ha! For a publicist, that's the highest compliment there is.
Thank you, Jack, for a tribute that truly captures Jayne’s essence.
And Kay, what can be said of your email updates other than, thank you. Jayne could not have had a better publicist and dear friend as she had in you.
Jayne and I met in the Bluebird parking lot 22 years ago. I can't remember the show, but I remember Jayne. She was wide open, dancing and twirling in the parking lot...imagine that! And like a child to a firefly, I was drawn to her. I have never known anyone who loved to dance as much as she did. In fact, one of my most cherished Jayne moments is when we went on a double date and danced with our dads; Larry and Agostino. When Jayne and I learned we shared the same birthday, we just knew we were long lost sisters. I will miss our joint birthday parties, but one will never pass without me blowing out a candle for my dear sweet girlfriend. I miss you already.
Simply, beautiful and eloquent Jack. I'm sure Jane would approve.
Jack, what a lovely tribute. I fell in love with Jayne when she was working at The Rep. Such a giving soul, full of light. i last saw her in Whole Foods just after Christmas--no hair, but still glowing. Thanks for a wonderful recollection of an amazing person.
Jack,
Thank you for your wonderful tribute. Here is video I took New Years Eve looking towards 2010. Jayne was trying to get me up to dance but I just wanted to watch her...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTskuNRoN0s
I met her once: what a wickedly funny and forthright woman. I'll never forget that conversation. I was interviewing her about the "real story" of breast cancer, without all the Hallmark-card drippy sentiment. I'd come to the right place.
http://aviatrixkim.wordpress.com/2012/02/1…
Thanks Marsha! Love the video. And Kim... wow. That is some of the frankest sentiments about cancer I've read. And beautiful photos to boot.
Jack,
Thank you for your beautiful obituary about our beloved daughter and sister, Jayne. We forwarded it to all of our friends and family, and show it to all who come to our home while we sit Shiva this week. It gives us great solace.
And thanks to all for their comments above.
Jayne was buried at our family plot in Miami (at her request) this past Sunday. The turnout was remarkable, the Rabbi spoke beautifully about her as did her sister Wendy, brother Evan, and dear friend Patrice (her closest friend when they were growing up here) who flew in from California.
And yes, there were some in attendance from Nashville (including John McTigue, Jayne's signifcant other), the city Jayne most loved.
We thank you all - and most especially Kay West - for taking Jayne into your hearts.
We look forward to seeing you at the horse-farm in May.
Sandy and Larry Rogovin, Wendy Rogovin-Green, and Evan Rogovin
