There’s always a lot of chatter about #NewNashville, the changing face of our city and a generally pessimistic vibe about the direction Nashville is headed in. Despite that pervasive curmudgeonly attitude, there’s always great people in Nashville. Sure, there’s unbearable singer-songwriters and baristas that give you the stink-eye for ordering a cup of drip coffee but that’s everywhere. Nashville has phenomenal people. Supportive people. Loving people.Â
We lost two of those folks recently and it’s a horrible reminder that no amount of condo’s or restaurants closings has any real bearing on the city when compared to the loss of great people.
I didn’t know Candice Burnside Ferguson or Jim Ridley on a deeply personal level but I feel an profound emptiness hearing that they are gone. The outpouring of love and emotion for the families left behind is warming; both touched and affected so many people in the best way.
The name “We Own This Town†really strikes me at moments like this. WE are the community. WE  are the city. WE, the people, make this place great. I implore you to support the families and remember that Nashville is great because of the people, all of you.