• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

Celebration Of Life Set For Former Opryland Exec. Ed Stone

February 18, 2022/by LB Cantrell

Ed Stone

A celebration of life will be held for former Opryland USA VP of Marketing & PR, Ed Stone, who passed away on Feb. 11 at the age of 81. Stone’s life and legacy will be honored at the Country Music Hall of Fame Ford Theater on March 25 at 1 p.m.

Stone, a native of Greensboro, Georgia, enjoyed an accomplished career in the travel and tourism industry. After graduating from the University of Georgia’s Journalism and Mass Communication School, his career began at Callaway Gardens where he met his wife, Fran. Their family moved to Nashville with Opryland USA in 1974 where he became VP of Marketing and Public Relations for the park, hotel and the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1990, Stone started his own communications company with regional and national accounts. During his career, he served in leadership roles with Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), SATW Foundation, Travel Industry Association of America (TIAA), Southeast Tourism Society (STS), International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), University of Georgia College of Mass Communications, and Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.

He was known for his love of golf, having played over 500 courses throughout the world.

Stone is the father of music industry executive Lori Badgett of City National Bank. He also leaves behind his wife of 53 years, Fran Grainger Stone, daughter Robyn Isaacs, and his four grandchildren: Stone and Dylan Isaacs, and Ellie and Anna Badgett. He is proceeded in death by his parents and five siblings.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Girls Give or Fairfield Glade United Methodist Church.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
LB Cantrell
LB Cantrell
LB Cantrell is Editor/Director of Operations at MusicRow magazine, where she oversees, manages and executes all company operations. LB oversees all MusicRow-related content, including the publication’s six annual print issues and online news. She is a Georgia native and a graduate of the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.
LB Cantrell
Latest posts by LB Cantrell (see all)
  • A Century On The Stage: New Book ‘100 Years Of Grand Ole Opry’ Offers Intimate Look At The Institution [Interview] - June 18, 2025
  • BREAKING: Big Loud & Mercury Records Name Wes Donehower As Sr. VP, A&R - June 18, 2025
  • Acclaimed Composer Stacy Widelitz Passes - June 17, 2025
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/07043030/MR-Obit-Ratio-1030x687.jpg 687 1030 LB Cantrell https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png LB Cantrell2022-02-18 11:16:492022-02-18 11:16:49Celebration Of Life Set For Former Opryland Exec. Ed Stone

RECENT NEWS

  • A Century On The Stage: New Book ‘100 Years Of Grand Ole Opry’ Offers Intimate Look At The Institution [Interview] June 18, 2025
  • Go West Creative Elevates Jeremy Vaughn To Director of Entertainment & Experiential [Exclusive] June 18, 2025
  • Third Day Plots 30th Anniversary Tour For 2026 June 18, 2025
  • Sun Records & McIntosh Honor Johnny Cash With New Vinyl Release June 18, 2025
  • Sydney Quiseng Inks With BMG June 18, 2025
  • 2025 BMI Christian Awards Honors Year’s Best & Brightest June 18, 2025
  • Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit Announce 2025 Ryman Residency June 18, 2025
  • Kate Bowling Named Director Of Creative At The Core Entertainment June 18, 2025
  • Blessing Offor Slates Second Album ‘Real’ For August June 18, 2025
  • Ryan Kohn Signs With Concord Music Publishing June 18, 2025

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2025 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top