Southern Avenue Bassist Blake Rhea Shot & Killed In Memphis
The fixture of the Memphis music scene was gunned down in the city’s Midtown district on Wednesday morning at age 48.
By Scott Bernstein Nov 7, 2024 • 7:52 am PST
Bassist Blake Rhea, who has been touring and recording with Southern Avenue, was shot and killed after a shooting in his hometown of Memphis early on Wednesday (November 6) morning. Rhea’s death was confirmed by Memphis Police Department as reported by Commercial Appeal.
“At 1:13 am, officers responded to a shooting at 322 S Cleveland,” the Memphis Police Department tweeted on X about the incident before confirming Rhea was the victim. “A male was located and pronounced deceased on the scene. The suspect was a White male who fled on foot. The victim and suspect were involved in a verbal altercation before the shooting.”
The shooting took place in Memphis’ Midtown district. Memphis Police have charged Edward Wurl with first-degree murder and for being a convicted felon possessing a handgun. Wurl is slated for a video arraignment on Friday morning.
Beloved Memphis music Blake Rhea, who was born in 1976 and died at the age of 48, had been playing bass since he was in the eighth grade. He later attended Memphis University School (MUS).
“I never imagined I would become a bass player,” Rhea told MUS’ paper in 2015. “At MUS I was a basketball player. Then I took music class from John Hiltonsmith, and his energy was felt. Next thing I know I was doing a lot of little things, talent shows, nothing serious.”
Rhea followed his time at MUS by studying music at Rhodes College. Rhea also loved teaching children about music. Blake was an instructor at the School of Rock in Germantown, Tennessee.
Rhea performed and recorded with several bands including CYC, American Fiction and Rabid Villain. His role in Southern Avenue was a highlight for his career, as he recently toured with the Grammy-nominated band as part of Willie Nelson‘s Outlaw Music Festival tour with Bob Dylan and John Mellencamp. The run was followed by Southern Avenue’s outstanding set at Farm Aid 2024. Blake Rhea is featured on the new Southern Avenue album, which is due out in 2025.
Southern Avenue frontwoman Tierinii Naftaly shared memories of Rhea, whom she said “had the loudest smile I’ve ever known” and was a “light that will never be forgotten”:
