Key Takeaways
- Nashville lost several notable figures in 2025, including Jerry Strobel, Michael Kilbane, Lulu Roman, Christine French Cully, James Carlyle "Jim" East, Dolores Seigenthaler, James Pratt, Bill Byrge, Candance "Candy" McCampbell, Jack Corn, Dennis Wile, Lane Wright, Phil Perry, Kim Fowler, Dawna Kinne Magliacano, Tom Turnbull, and Skip Cauthorn.
- These individuals made significant contributions to various fields, including music, journalism, theater, comedy, and art.
- Their legacies will be remembered and celebrated by the Nashville community and beyond.
Introduction to Nashville’s Losses
The year 2025 was a significant one for Nashville, with the city losing several irreplaceable figures who made lasting impacts on various fields. From music and journalism to theater and comedy, these individuals left their mark on the city and its community. In this article, we will commemorate the lives and contributions of Jerry Strobel, Michael Kilbane, Lulu Roman, Christine French Cully, James Carlyle "Jim" East, Dolores Seigenthaler, James Pratt, Bill Byrge, Candance "Candy" McCampbell, Jack Corn, Dennis Wile, Lane Wright, Phil Perry, Kim Fowler, Dawna Kinne Magliacano, Tom Turnbull, and Skip Cauthorn.
Jerry Strobel: A Music Industry Icon
Jerry Strobel was a well-known figure in the music industry, having spent 30 years working with the Grand Ole Opry. During his tenure, he held various positions, including media and communications, promotions, operations, and eventually, Opry House manager. Strobel’s love of music and baseball was evident in his work, and he was often seen with a smile on his face. He was also a founder of Oktoberfest and Fan Fair, now known as CMA Fest. Strobel’s legacy continues to be felt in the music industry, and his contributions will not be forgotten.
Michael Kilbane: A Journalistic Giant
Michael Kilbane was a journalist and TV veteran who made a significant impact on the city’s media landscape. As an assignment editor, Kilbane had a deep understanding of Nashville’s history and culture, which allowed him to connect the dots on news stories before anyone else. His ability to get people to talk and his priceless talent for storytelling made him a respected figure in the industry. Kilbane’s passing in 2025 was met with an outpouring of tributes from his colleagues and friends, who remembered him as a reliable and precise journalist.
Lulu Roman: A Hee Haw Star
Lulu Roman was a talented entertainer, singer, and star of the popular TV show Hee Haw. With a career spanning over four decades, Roman appeared on the first and last episodes of the show, as well as numerous episodes in between. Her versatility and deadpan timing made her a beloved cast member, and she went on to record gospel music and perform with some of country music’s leading lights. Roman’s legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of the show and the music industry as a whole.
Christine French Cully: A Literacy Advocate
Christine French Cully was a literacy advocate and editor-in-chief of Highlights magazine. During her decades-long career, she expanded the company’s reach and launched new publications, including High Five and Highlights Hello. Cully was also a prolific writer and authored the book Dear Highlights: What Adults Can Learn From 70 Years of Children’s Letters. Her dedication to literacy and education inspired countless children and adults alike, and her legacy will continue to be felt for generations to come.
James Carlyle "Jim" East: A Newspaperman
James Carlyle "Jim" East was a seasoned journalist who spent his career working in newsrooms across the country. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to accuracy, East covered a wide range of topics, from local news to national events. His dedication to his craft earned him a reputation as a respected and trustworthy journalist, and his legacy will be remembered by his colleagues and the communities he served.
Dolores Seigenthaler: A Singer and Radio Personality
Dolores Seigenthaler was a talented singer and radio personality who made a name for herself in the music industry. With a career spanning over four decades, Seigenthaler performed on stage, radio, and television, and was known for her beautiful voice and charming personality. Her legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of music and radio, and her contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.
James Pratt: A Reporter and Storyteller
James Pratt was a talented reporter and storyteller who made a significant impact on the city’s media landscape. With a career spanning over three decades, Pratt worked as a reporter, editor, and government relations specialist, and was known for his ability to connect the dots on complex stories. His legacy continues to be felt in the industry, and his contributions will be remembered by his colleagues and the communities he served.
Bill Byrge: A Character Actor
Bill Byrge was a talented character actor and comedian who appeared in numerous films and television shows. With a career spanning over four decades, Byrge worked alongside some of the biggest names in the industry, including Jim Varney and Ernest P. Worrell. His legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of comedy and film, and his contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.
Candance "Candy" McCampbell: A Journalist and Business Pioneer
Candance "Candy" McCampbell was a talented journalist and business pioneer who made a significant impact on the city’s media landscape. With a career spanning over three decades, McCampbell worked as a reporter, editor, and business editor, and was known for her ability to break major stories and mentor young journalists. Her legacy continues to be felt in the industry, and her contributions will be remembered by her colleagues and the communities she served.
Jack Corn: A Photojournalist and Educator
Jack Corn was a talented photojournalist and educator who made a significant impact on the city’s media landscape. With a career spanning over seven decades, Corn worked as a staff photographer for The Tennessean and later became a consultant for the Chicago Tribune. His legacy continues to be felt in the industry, and his contributions will be remembered by his colleagues and the communities he served.
Dennis Wile: A Photographer
Dennis Wile was a talented photographer who made a significant impact on the city’s art scene. With a career spanning over five decades, Wile worked as a portrait photographer and his work appeared in numerous publications, including Vogue and The New York Times. His legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of photography, and his contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.
Lane Wright: An Actor and Director
Lane Wright was a talented actor and director who made a significant impact on the city’s theater scene. With a career spanning over four decades, Wright performed with numerous companies and directed several productions. His legacy continues to be felt in the industry, and his contributions will be remembered by his colleagues and the communities he served.
Phil Perry: A Beloved Actor
Phil Perry was a beloved actor who made a significant impact on the city’s theater scene. With a career spanning over three decades, Perry performed with numerous companies and was known for his kind and gentle spirit. His legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of theater, and his contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.
Kim Fowler: A Music Publicist
Kim Fowler was a talented music publicist who made a significant impact on the city’s music scene. With a career spanning over two decades, Fowler worked with numerous artists, including Shania Twain and Dolly Parton. Her legacy continues to be felt in the industry, and her contributions will be remembered by her colleagues and the communities she served.
Dawna Kinne Magliacano: A Comedy Pioneer
Dawna Kinne Magliacano was a comedy pioneer who made a significant impact on the city’s comedy scene. With a career spanning over two decades, Magliacano founded the improv comedy troupe The Skeleton Crew and worked with numerous comedians. Her legacy continues to be celebrated by fans of comedy, and her contributions to the industry will not be forgotten.
Tom Turnbull: A Ceramicist and Teacher
Tom Turnbull was a talented ceramicist and teacher who made a significant impact on the city’s art scene. With a career spanning over five decades, Turnbull founded Mid-South Ceramics and worked with numerous artists. His legacy continues to be felt in the industry, and his contributions will be remembered by his colleagues and the communities he served.
Skip Cauthorn: A Musician and Politico
Skip Cauthorn was a talented musician and politico who made a significant impact on the city’s music and political scenes. With a career spanning over two decades, Cauthorn worked as a journalist, press secretary, and public relations pro. His legacy continues to be felt in the industry, and his contributions will be remembered by his colleagues and the communities he served.
Conclusion
The year 2025 was a significant one for Nashville, with the city losing several irreplaceable figures who made lasting impacts on various fields. From music and journalism to theater and comedy, these individuals left their mark on the city and its community. Their legacies will be remembered and celebrated by the Nashville community and beyond, and their contributions will continue to inspire future generations.
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