Tandy Clinton Rice, Jr.

Nashville, TN

Tandy Clinton Rice, Jr., age 76, passed away on August 3, 2015

Tandy was born in Franklin, Tennessee and was graduated by The Citadel with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 and subsequently served a three year commitment in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command. Mr. Rice, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Top Billing International, a Nashville-based entertainment and marketing company specializing in the world-wide booking and management of some of the most notable names in Country Music.

A supporter of numerous civic groups and charities, he holds a Master Degree in Liberal Arts from Vanderbilt University, an Honorary PhD from the Citadel, is a former President of the Country Music Association, a member of the North American Country Music Hall of Fame, and the founder of the fully endowed Rice Scholarship at The Citadel. He was recently inducted into the INT. Entertainment Buyers Hall of Fame.

He has two precious children, Marjorie German Rice Mason & Cynthia McEwen Rice Simonet, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He is a lifetime member of the Country Music Association & The Nashville Association of Talent Directors, twice president of the Franklin High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

Visitation, Friday August 7, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at The Fourth Avenue Church of Christ, 117 4th Avenue North, Franklin, TN 37064. Memorial Service Saturday, August 8, 2015, 11 a.m. at The Fourth Avenue Church of Christ, 117 4th Avenue North, Franklin, TN 37064. Memorial Donations may be made to The Rice Family Middle-Tennessee Scholarship Fund at The Citadel, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409, or GraceWorks Ministries, 104 Southeast Pkwy, Franklin, TN 37064. Condolences may be offered online at

tennesseanfuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Tennessean Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Fred Johnson, Funeral Director in charge of arrangements. Phone (615) 386-3725 or (615) FUNERAL.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tennessean from Aug. 6 to Aug. 8, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Tandy Rice

23 Entries

Donna king

July 31, 2024

Kind man and funny

Debbie Hays

July 31, 2021

Thinking of your girls and grandchildren. Miss you Tandy, your southern charm, sense of humor and our conversations. Rest In Peace.

Ashley Ziegler

July 31, 2020

The Ziegler family misses you

ricky king

July 31, 2020

The King family miss you dearly. Wishing your family peace.

Anne Nigh

December 2, 2015

I dated Tandy when he was at the Citadel inn Charleston,, SC. He was a very good looking, handsome young man & always a gentleman. I very recently learned about his passing & was kind of shocked that he was so young to have died. RIP my dear friend.

John Gandy

August 31, 2015

Tandy and I were roommates at St. John's Summer Camp in Wisconsin in 1949, and we remained friends through the years. I always enjoyed seeing and talking to Tandy. He was always smiling and upbeat. He will be missed by many.

August 11, 2015

A much admired friend in High School. An exception person. I was very close to the Rice family in those days (50's and later)

Dill Beaty

Tom Sawyer

August 10, 2015

I'll miss you ole friend. We were friends since early grade school days. Rest in peace Mr. "Candy Wright" from your track days.

Debbie Hays

August 9, 2015

Tandy and his then wife Jan gave me a gift of a gold cross with the Star of David on it. I treasure that still today. Tandy had received one from Jerry Clower and I admired it so much they had one made for me. I knew Tandy from the music industry. We visited him at his home in Franklin several times. He was Mr Entertainment and his story telling endless. Loved receiving Christmas cards from him with his beautiful girls, grandchildren and his dog. He was always easy on the eyes, so handsome. I think he knew everyone. There is a joyful noise in heaven.

Dr. Gene Palmer

August 9, 2015

Tandy and I go way back to high school track and field--he was a true friend and a very gutty miler--we competed against each other three times Sr. Year and I always finished second, even in the state meet.
We met off and on over the years and what a friendly gentleman--I certainly will miss him and he will be in my prayers.

Gene Palmer Class of 56 at Litton

Ashley Ziegler

August 8, 2015

You will be missed

Loretta Prior

August 8, 2015

Sorry for your loss,

Love to Tandy!

Jayne Young Hill

August 8, 2015

Tandy was one of the finest gentlemen the South ever produced! His good looks were not to be overlooked by his charm, charisma, and fantastic disposition. He embodied all things that Nashville used to stand for! He was so kind to me personally and I will be forever grateful and keep him close in my heart always. He was a "teacher" and I learned so much about life from him. Heaven is better place this week! RIP Tandy!

George Armistead

August 7, 2015

Tandy Rice inspired all around him and will be sorely missed. He was a mentor to many and was the ambassador of encouragement and enthusiasm. Tandy led a fruitful life of caring and sharing. We need more Tandy Rices in the world !!

Pamela Palmer Norris

August 7, 2015

I only met Mr. Rice once, but when we spoke he warmly remembered my dad from their high school track meets. My dad was a top runner, but he couldn't quite catch Mr. Rice. He struck me as the friendliest, classiest, brightest light with the biggest smile I've ever seen. I am very saddened to hear of his passing, and my thoughts are with his loved ones.

Vicki Podis Jacobs

August 6, 2015

I only spent a few hours with Tandy during an interview while filming a Documentary. I wont ever forget him, as he shared his thoughts about losing his son Clint. I understood his words of wisdom, and sorrow....and am so lucky to have had this time with him.

Beverly Kline

August 6, 2015

I'm so sorry to hear of Tandy's passing.

Ricky and Donna King

August 6, 2015

Tandy it was a joy to be in your presence Ricky and i will never forget your humor during our luncheons after church.

Joe Meador

August 6, 2015

Tandy will be greatly missed! He and I shared an office on Music Row with my company, Grand Entertainment and his company, Top Billing many years ago. We shared a lot of laughs and had many good times together. The last time I saw Tandy was last Christmas at Dean Unkefer's SPI/NATD Party. He is gone too soon, but I know that he joins many fine Nashville music leaders in heaven

MARY HARKINS

August 6, 2015

MY MEMORY OF TANDY IS THAT OF A TEENAGER. HIS SEAT WAS BEHIND MINE. WE HAD FUN IN THAT CLASS AND I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN HE BROUGHT A LIVE MOUSE TO SCHOOL AND I SLIPPED IT DOWN INTO THE TEACHERS POCKET. WILL NEVER FORGET THAT AND HIS SMILE. REST IN PEACE.

August 5, 2015

Tandy was a great promoter of Nashville and Country Music. He was forward thinking and envisioned the Nashville we have today. He always had a smile on his face and seemed genuinely interested in everyone he met. I knew him for nearly 43 years. He was someone I really liked and regarded him as a friend. His passing is a loss to everyone who knew him. He will be missed.

Scott Faragher

Jennifer Lentz

August 5, 2015

Your light, Tandy, will always shine brightly for all of us who knew and loved you. Rest well my dear friend.

Jennifer Lentz

Tupper Morehead

August 5, 2015

He always made a joyful noise unto the Lord; I suspect God always smiled when Tandy was praying, and now they will laugh together face to face.

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