Faces Behind the Fest: Jeff Radcliffe

The last day I ever saw Puckett was on one of his famous Nashville trips. I had just lost my job a few weeks prior and was feeling a little lost. Knowing I was out of work, Puckett called and asked me if I wanted to join him on a day trip to pick up some records.

The next morning we loaded into his bright red Honda Fit, Puckett put on his 190-hour long Spotify playlist, appropriately named “Radio Puckett”, and we hit the road. We took care of business first; We went to the post office and then a shop where he picked up a stack of records and CDs for an upcoming release. Afterwards we made a trip to the Opry Mall. I followed along as he stopped at every. single. kiosk. Puckett just loved talking to people, it didn’t matter where. Eventually this led to us standing in the middle of the mall while a well-dressed man washed Puckett’s entire arms with some fancy soap that he had no intention of buying. We grabbed a pretzel, sampled some hot sauces, and got back on the road. The rest of the trip was spent sharing band gossip and drama over some Bojangles chicken.

Three days later I got the call that he had passed away.

I was 22 years old when I met Puckett. I was an awkward kid with no direction in life who desperately wanted to be a photographer. I had learned my friend Jason was working as a photographer for some local record label but was moving out of town. Soon after, his photographer position got posted on the Little Heart Facebook page and I jumped at the chance to apply. In true Puckett fashion, he held my interview at a Steak 'n Shake, where we talked for an hour about our shared love of music before he quickly offered me a photographer position at the label.

Now 36, and 10 years after his passing, I am constantly amazed by the impact this (surprisingly short) man had on my life just by inviting me to be a part of his team. He didn’t care that I had no photography portfolio to share, he cared more about whether or not I would fit into the family he was carefully crafting, and that I had passion for what I loved doing.

Puckett showed us all what true passion looked like. He put everything he had into his record label, making sure everyone had a chance to succeed if they were willing to have the same enthusiasm for their craft.

PuckettFest is our way of remembering and thanking Puckett, not only for what he did for each of us, but for the love and support he gave our community. Puckett dedicated his life to lifting others up and we want to continue his legacy by bringing people together and inviting you all into our family.

 I can’t wait to see you at PuckettFest!

– Jeff Radcliffe, Senior Web Designer