d. patrick rodgers

Thank you for reading.

Ten years ago today, we lost one of the best to ever do it. Jim Ridley was my boss, my editor, my mentor and my buddy. I know it’s common to lionize those we lose — particularly those who die suddenly and unexpectedly. But every wonderful thing you read or hear about Jim is likely true. I’ve worked in journalism for nearly 20 years, and I’ve still yet to meet an editor who comes near Jim’s level of talent as a line editor or as a writer and critic. He was uncommonly sensitive, impossibly clever and wildly hardworking. He was also a lot nicer than me, and would often surprise me with his thoughtfulness. I remember occasionally he would lean around the wall of my cubicle and sheepishly suggest, “Hey, why don’t we knock off a little early, take the rest of the afternoon off?” I’d usually grumble that I had too much to do, and he’d shrug and leave me alone. But soon after I’d discover that he stayed at the office until 2 or 3 a.m. working on a cover story he’d decided to pull out of his back pocket at the last minute. This is a plaque we keep in the office — it’s got a letter Jim wrote when he was 23, applying to write for the Scene. It gives a little glimpse at how sharp and clever and confident a writer he always was. I generally prefer to remember Jim on his birthday in July rather than on the anniversary of his death, but 10 years is big. And it’s tough. I was in the office the day he collapsed. I helped administer CPR. It still feels like all that happened to someone else, and that at any minute, Jim is going to walk through the door and thank me for keeping his seat warm for him. I don’t really mind that feeling. I’m putting a link in my bio that has quotes from a bunch of Jim’s greatest hits. Maybe consider reading a bit of that if you find time today. Or better yet, perform a random act of kindness for someone, a stranger or a loved one. Jim would hate all this fuss, but I think he’d appreciate that.

Low-key delighted that “Lasso” is trending among drummers because I’ve been playing along to this mf for like 15 years. Bit rusty obviously but brushing up on my chops.

For decades, B-movie aficionados with campy, creepy personas have taken to the airwaves to riff and pun their way through under-seen horror schlock that’s cheap or free to re-broadcast. There were mid-20th-century originators like Vampira and 'Fright Night’s Sinister Seymour, as well as household names like Elvira of 'Movie Macabre' and modern-day host Joe Bob Briggs. Nashville has its own rich history of home-grown horror hosts, which includes WSIX-Channel 8’s suave Dr. Lucifur and WSM-Channel 4’s grotesque and hunched Sir Cecil Creape. And then there’s Dr. Gangrene, a lanky, lab-coated and begoggled mad scientist who’s carried the tradition forward in Music City and beyond for nearly three decades. From our People Issue: @drgangrene keeps the longtime tradition of Nashville horror hosts alive. Read more from @dpatrickrodgers at the link in our bio.

Happy birthday to the best person on the planet. 🩵🦋

Happy Ernie’s 13th (!!!) birthday, everyone. Photo by @itschellyc .

I was so heartbroken to hear about H.G. Webb's recent passing — I genuinely think he was the most magnanimous man I've ever met. I interviewed him for a Scene story back in 2017, and he gave me this quote, which has stuck with me: "If you like someone, let them know. … I hear people my age, and they say, 'Well, if I could live my life over, H.G. … Well, if I could do this over again.' Well, you can’t. 'Of all the sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been’” [a quote from the poem 'Maud Muller' by John Greenleaf Whittier]. This is it, Jack! This one time is it, so you get the most out of every day, every second of every minute, because there aren’t any guarantees." A local legend. A personal hero. Rest in power, H.G., our city is dimmer without your light. See ya at the movies. Link to my chat with H.G. in my bio; photo by @danielmeigs at the @belcourttheatre .

Last year I asked my best friend if she would — one day, eventually — marry me. She said yes, further proving that I’m the luckiest guy around. Just don’t ask us when or where we’re doing it … still working on that bit. Photo by @angelina._.castillo_

Christmas in the Large Apple. (@zohrankmamdani feel free to use “Large Apple” in any future marketing materials for your fine town.) Thanks to Reece and Sarah, best hosts in Brooklyn.

Two exciting upcoming holiday opportunities to rub elbows with your old pal (me) at Nashville’s best bar, @dukesnashville ! This Friday night I’ll spin some tunes from 10 p.m. until late — power pop, funk, soul and good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll. Then catch me Wednesday, Dec. 10, when I’m back to judge Duke’s annual cookie party. Thrilling. Wholesome. Festive. See you soon.

Nostalgia bomb: And the Relatives (me and the boys, @eli.beaird and @brassell ) playing our tune “Cowboy Jazz” for Lake Fever Sessions in 2009. Grateful for this artifact, dropping it on the grid so it can live on.

To quote Macca himself: Wow. We did that. Link in bio to my review of @paulmccartney at @thepinnaclenashville for the @nashvillescene . Photos by the incomparable @angelina._.castillo_ .