Jim Ramsey

The houselights of Austin’s skies flickered at 5:55pm on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 when James Edwin Ramsey died after a short battle with liver cancer. The premiere concert promoter in Austin during the 1980s and early 90s, Jim is survived by his wife Tracey, and his three children Evan, 25, Alexandra, 18, and Theren, 13.

Jim Ramsey was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 19, 1952 to James Woodrow and Madeliene Ramsey. His siblings include sister Roccia Hernandez and brother William “Billy” Ramsey.

Jim grew up in McAllen, Texas and after graduating college with a degree in photography, relocated to Austin in 1971. By the end of that decade, he had established Spotlight Productions, the perfect venture to promote the fledgling new wave and punk movement. By the 80s, Jim Ramsey’s Touring Company - later Touring Attractions - booked and promoted such acts bands as U2, the Police, Ramones, Talking Heads, Patti Smith, Elvis Costello, John Cale, B-52’s, and the Clash in such venues as Armadillo World Headquarters, Club Foot, the Coliseum, and Southpark Meadows. In the early 90s, he refined his efforts to the Back Room, giving rise to hard rock bands such as Pariah and Dangerous Toys. By the mid-90s, he had left the concert business and proudly opened the successful Cactus advertising agency, whose clients included ARCA/ApplianceSmart.

Tracey and the Ramsey family would like to express their thanks and appreciation to those who assisted Jim’s life at the end: Dr. Pevoto at The Hospital at Westlake with EMT-P Stewart, RN Martin, and RN Lauro; Dr. Birenbaum at Dallas Medical Center with RN Myra and the 5th floor nursing staff; Dr. Tokaz at South Austin Hospital with RN Russ, RN Sandy, RN Sharron, RN Candice, and RN Ryan; and Lake Travis Fire Rescue ESD6. In lieu of flowers, the Ramseys ask donations be made to the SIMS Foundation or HAAM in Jim Ramsey’s name.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 3rd at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home in Lakeway. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. in the Weed-Corley-Fish Chapel.

Austin’s musical landscape would be a very different place without the efforts of Jim Ramsey. The music he brought to us for nearly two decades set this city up to claim its title of Live Music Capital of the World. His guest list is now closed.