OF Music's Legacy

OF Music was founded on a friendship and a shared belief in songs that could move people. In the mid-1970s, Philadelphia music entrepreneur Tom Oteri discovered the raw songwriting talent of Richard Fagan. Recognizing his gift, Oteri recorded early demos and worked tirelessly to get the songs heard. His persistence paid off when producer Bob Gaudio of the Four Seasons introduced Fagan’s “The Good Lord Loves You” to Neil Diamond, who recorded it for his 1980 album September Morn.

From that moment, Fagan’s career gained momentum, and Oteri became his greatest champion. Together they formed OF Music—“O” for Oteri, “F” for Fagan—a publishing company dedicated to giving Fagan’s songs the platform they deserved. Oteri managed the business, while Fagan devoted himself to writing, often penning multiple songs a day.

Through OF Music, Fagan’s songs found their way into the repertoires of some of country music’s biggest names. His work was recorded by George Strait, Patty Loveless, Collin Raye, Shenandoah, George Jones, Shania Twain, Clay Walker, Ricochet, Hank Williams Jr., and many others. Three of his biggest hits came through John Michael Montgomery, who took “Be My Baby Tonight” (1994), “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)” (1995), and “I Miss You a Little” (1997) to the very top of the charts. “Sold” went on to become Billboard’s No. 1 country single of 1995.

Oteri and Fagan’s partnership endured for more than three decades. They weathered the ups and downs of the music industry together, bonded by loyalty, trust, and a shared vision. Their company, OF Music, became more than just a publishing house—it was a symbol of what can happen when a believer and a creator stand side by side.

In 2008, Tom Oteri passed away, and in 2016, Richard Fagan lost his battle with cancer. But their songs live on, and their story continues through Broadminded Music, managed by Tom Oteri Jr. Today, Broadminded Music carries forward the legacy of OF Music, ensuring that Tom and Richard’s contributions to music history remain alive and celebrated for future generations.