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A resolution honoring the life and legacy of Randy Rayburn and recognizing his deep contributions to the city of Nashville.
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WHEREAS, on July 25, 2024, beloved Nashville restauranteur and community member Randy Rayburn died at the age of 74; and
WHEREAS, a Milan, Tennessee native and a University of Tennessee graduate, Randy came to Nashville in 1971 while working for former state Senator Jim Roberson; and
WHEREAS, Randy continued managing campaigns, acting as press secretary, and fundraising through the mid-1970s, including work on Al Gore's first congressional campaign; and
WHEREAS, in the mid-1970s he joined the hospitality industry when he began working with his roommate at a Nashville restaurant; and
WHEREAS, by the 1990s he had left politics and entered the restaurant world full time; and
WHEREAS, Randy found joy and success in the hospitality industry. He opened his first restaurant, Sunset Grill, in Hillsboro Village in 1990; and
WHEREAS, he took over the popular Midtown Cafe in 1997 and opened Cabana in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Randy's restaurants, especially Midtown Cafe and Sunset Grill became a gathering place for business, music industry and political leaders across the aisle to come together over a delicious meal and for the musicians of Music City to get a free/reduced meal after a long gig; and
WHEREAS, a local food writer said of most people in Nashville, Randy either "hired you, fired you, or fed you"; and
WHEREAS, Randy also worked to build up the culinary arts program at Nashville State Community College, which has been known as the Randy Rayburn School of Culinary Arts since 2011; and
WHEREAS, Randy hosted a monthly "Special Table" including others who contributed so much to our city and who are no longer with us such as Avi Poster, Rev. Charles Strobel, Jim Zralek, and Rev. Joe Pat Breen; and
WHEREAS, among other acts of service, Randy served on the Metropolitan Auditorium Commission and the Convention Center Authority...
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