Wilma Cozart Fine

In the beginning of my music industry career I had the pleasure of working with an amazing woman, Wilma Cozart Fine. Perhaps the younger readers won’t know of her, but any woman in the record industry owes a great deal to Wilma. Together with her husband Bob, she engineered and produced some of the most impressive recordings ever made - the Mercury Living Presence recordings.

I met Wilma when I was 28 years old. I was the product manager at PolyGram in New York when Philips Classics reissued her series. I worked with her almost every day for 2 years. Her diligence and passion knew no limits. Few people in this industry have made such an impression on me. She taught me the importance of keeping my word and showed me how graciousness can be just as powerful as a hard-nosed toughness. Wilma was proof that there is nothing that can replace knowledge of product, business savvy and years of experience.

Wilma passed away a last September. I am a better businesswoman and better person for knowing her. Thank you Wilma, you were one hell of a dame. - Lisa Nauful

Click to read the New York Times dedication to Wilma