NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts) This evening The Grand Ballroom of The Hermitage Hotel resonated with the voices of some of
Music City's most elite industry leaders as The Nashville Association of Talent Directors held its annual Gala, honoring seven entertainment professionals for their efforts to make Nashville the exciting and vital entertainment mecca that it is today. Hosted by WKRN's
Stephanie Langston the Gala honored Governor Bill Haslam, Rob Beckham, Partner and Co-Head of
William Morris Endeavor Entertainment; Vanderbilt University's Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbin; Founder and CEO of Parallel Entertainment J. P. Williams; Demetria Kalodimos, WSMV News Anchor and Reporter; Contemporary Christian artist Michael W. Smith, and legendary country music icon Charlie Daniels.
Following NATD President Steve Tolman's welcoming comments a special Veteran's Day Blessing was offered by the Rev. Joseph Breen. The honors then commenced with the award to Governor Bill Haslam, presented by ABC-TV "Nashville" star Charles Esten. Another
Music City star, the legendary
Little Jimmy Dickens, was on hand to make Demetria Kalodimos's presentation.
Music veteran and longtime industry leader Tandy Rice was honored as the first inductee into the NATD Hall of Fame. Rice, an NATD charter member and past president helped shape the Country
Music industry while serving on the Board of Directors of the Country
Music Association for over a decade and as its President in 1981.
A special surprise grant of $5,000 was made to booking agent Matt Rizor's medical fund by NATD and was matched by the Academy of Country Music's Lifting Lives Foundation. Matt was seriously injured earlier this year when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver. He is recovering and currently undergoing treatment in a specialty facility.
The 2014 Honorees were chosen by the NATD Board of Directors, under the leadership of President Steve Tolman of LogiCom. "Our honorees are from varying entertainment backgrounds and professions and they have each brought their expertise, their commitment and their vision to ensure that
Music City continues to flourish and grow."
Honors went to:
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam
WME Nashville Co-Head Rob Beckham
Vanderbilt University Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbin
Parallel Entertainment CEO and Founder J. P. Williams
WSMV News Anchor Demetria Kalodimos
Acclaimed Contemporary Christian singer/songwriter Michael W. Smith
Legendary Country
Music icon Charlie Daniels
NATD was founded in 1958 and professionally represents, directs, and promotes the entertainment industry through its members. Today those members generate over $300 million dollars annually for Nashville-based artists. The organization not only serves as a forum for idea exchange among its members, it also serves as a vehicle for other facets of the industry to share information vital to the overall growth of the Nashville music and entertainment industry. NATD members foster camaraderie among "friendly competitors" which seems to be unique to the closely knit Nashville music and entertainment community. As part of its philanthropic program NATD provides scholarship funds for students showing exemplary performances in academics, civic duties, and personal goals. This is the 26th year that aid has been granted. For more information, please visit www.n-a-t-d.com.
