Music Executives Honor a Trusted Advocate

The late Bob Malouf wasn't the most visible figure in their story, but he was, in many ways, one of the most essential.

"Bob started off as family," said Tommy Couch Sr., former president of Malaco Music Group in Jackson. "He was my wife's first cousin but over time, he became much more than that. He was our lawyer, our adviser and one of our closest friends."

That's why the owners and executives of Malaco – Couch Sr., Tommy Couch Jr., Stewart Madison and Wolf Stephenson – wanted to memorialize the attorney by establishing the Robert A. Malouf Scholarship in Law Endowment with a $130,000 gift.

Malaco Music Group has been a leader in the independent recording industry since 1968. Also known as the Last Soul Company, Malaco defines the state of contemporary Southern R&B, soul and gospel music.

"We are deeply grateful for this thoughtful and lasting gift, which not only honors the life and legacy of our alumnus, Bob Malouf, but also opens doors of opportunity for future generations of students," said Frederick Slabach, dean of the School of Law. "Through this scholarship, Bob's commitment to integrity, hard work and excellence will continue to shape lives and inspire success for years to come."

The Malouf Scholarship will go to second-year Ole Miss law students who rank in the top 50% of their class and have demonstrated financial need.

"Bob was a great friend," said Couch Jr., Malaco president. "This is simply our way of saying thank you."

Raised in Greenwood, Malouf built a reputation as a sharp, adaptable attorney who could handle everything from complex contracts to emerging legal questions in the music industry. He quickly became the go-to counsel for the Couch family's independent record label, a relationship that spanned decades.

"He did most of our legal work," said Madison, the company's director of business affairs. "Contracts, negotiations, whatever came up; he was always our 'local counsel.' But what made him special was that he'd tell us the truth, even when we didn't want to hear it."

That honesty, paired with remarkable intelligence, made Malouf indispensable.

"In my opinion, he was probably the best music lawyer in the state," Couch Jr. said. "We had access to lawyers in New York and California, where the big music business is, but Bob learned the industry alongside us. And he was excellent."

Malouf's brilliance wasn't loud or self-promotional. He preferred independence, working outside the spotlight and often on his own terms.

"He was a little bit of a lone operator," Couch Sr. said. "But he proved something important: if you're really good, you don't have to be in a big firm to succeed. You can branch out, do your own thing and if you're smart enough, you're going to do well."

That independence also shaped how he thought.

"He didn't just know the right answers," Madison explained. "He knew why. And he could see angles other people weren't even thinking about."

Even when confronted with unfamiliar challenges, such as the complexities of music law, Malouf adapted quickly.

"He grew up learning this business with us," Couch Sr. said. "And once he got into it, he was a quick study. He could take on complicated issues and handle them with confidence."

Malouf, who earned his law degree from Ole Miss in 1978, died Dec. 26, 2025, leaving a legacy defined less by recognition and more by relationships.

The endowed scholarship established in his name reflects Malouf's character and the values he embodied. Rather than rewarding only top-ranked students, the scholarship is designed to support those who demonstrate similar commitment, work ethic and determination.

"We didn't necessarily want to award it to the smartest person in the class," Couch Sr. said. "Sometimes the hardest-working person, the one doing their best, ends up being the most successful."

Couch Jr. agreed: "We want to give students the freedom to study, to grow, to think outside the box, like Bob did."

To make a gift to the Robert A. Malouf Scholarship in Law Endowment, send a check with the fund's name written in the memo line to the University of Mississippi Foundation at 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655; or give online here.

Top: The owners and executives of Malaco Music Group – (from left) Stewart Madison, Wolf Stephenson, Tommy Couch Sr. and Tommy Couch Jr. – established the Robert A. Malouf Scholarship in Law Endowment with a $130,000 gift. The endowment honors the late Bob Malouf, who served as attorney and adviser to the group. Photo by Bill Dabney/UM Foundation