‘Nashville Scene’ Editor Jim Ridley Dies At 50

Jim Ridley

Nashville Scene editor Jim Ridley, who began his career at the alternative weekly in 1989, died Friday (April 8) at age 50.

According to an obituary on the weekly’s website, Ridley suffered a cardiac event on March 28, and never regained consciousness.

Ridley’s journalism career began at age 13, when he contributed book reviews to The Tennessean. In 1989, he joined Nashville Scene as a film review contributor and in 2009, he took the helm of the Scene as editor, when SouthComm purchased the paper from Village Voice Media.

Ridley’s talent earned first place honors in arts criticism from the Association for Alternative Newsmedia in 2006 and 2010. Under his leadership, the Nashville Scene won 40 AAN awards.

For a full obit and remembrance, visit nashvillescene.com.

Services were held Saturday, April 16, at Woodfin Funeral Chapel in Murfreesboro. A GoFundMe account was set up to cover medical expenses, funeral expenses and to support his family.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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