New York, NY (Top40 Charts) The Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) today announced six industry leaders who will be recognized at the 4th annual NATD Honors Gala, scheduled for November 11, 2014 at the Hermitage Hotel. Honorees include 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.
The Gala kicks off with a reception at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner and the Awards Ceremony at 7:15 PM. Ticket information may be found at www.ticketfly.com.
The 2014 Honorees were selected by the NATD Board of Directors, led by President Steve Tolman of LogiCom. "These individuals, from a variety of professions, reflect the qualities which make Nashville the exciting, entertainment and vital city that it is today. They lead, not only in their areas of expertise, but in their continuing support of education and scholarship, which is one of NATD's major goals" Tolman said.
Past honorees include:
2013-Bernie Cahill, Tom Condon, Chaz Corzine, Martina McBride,
Kevin Neal, and Bob Romeo
2012- Mike Fisher, Clint Higham, John Huie,
George Jones, and Alan Valentine
2011- Alabama, Tony Conway, Mayor Karl Dean,
James H. Gosnell Jr., and Barry Trotz
ABOUT NASHVILLE ASSOCIATION OF TALENT DIRECTORS:
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.
ABOUT GOVERNOR BILL HASLAM
In November of 2010 Bill Haslam was not only elected Governor of Tennessee; he was elected by the largest margin of any non-incumbent gubernatorial candidate in our state's history, winning 90 of 95 counties with 65 percent of the vote. Haslam's journey to the Governor's Residence began as a young man when he became a leader in student government. During the summers he volunteered for the grassroots political campaigns of
Howard Baker and Lamar Alexander, gaining a deep understanding of the type of principled leadership needed to govern. While lots of politicians talk about creating jobs, Bill Haslam has actually done it. When he first began working with Pilot Corporation the company had 800 employees; when he left, it had more than 14,000 in 39 states. During his tenure there, he sustained the company's growth by allocating resources wisely, managing the business conservatively and working hard to increase sales and satisfy customers. It was here that he gained the essential hands-on knowledge that makes the chief executive officer of any complicated enterprise successful; and what enterprise could be more complicated than government? In 2003 Bill Haslam ran successfully for Mayor of Knoxville. Using the skills he honed in the private sector and those he gained as Mayor, and calling on the strong faith and work ethic instilled in him by his parents, Bill Haslam has become Tennessee's extremely effective Chief Executive Officer.
ABOUT ROB BECKHAM
Rob Beckham is a Partner at WME, the world's largest diversified talent agency. As Co-Head of the Nashville Office Beckman oversees the daily touring, television, motion pictures, literary, and sponsorship for some of the most well-known artists in the country music industry. His client roster includes
Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, the Band Perry, Gary Allan, Chris Young, Easton Corbin, Jerrod Niemann, as well as many others. In addition to his work at WME, Rob is also very involved in the Country
Music community. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Country
Music Association, the T.J. Martell Foundation, and Make-A-Wish for Middle Tennessee. In May 2014, Beckham received the T.J. Martell Foundation's "Ambassador of the Year" award.
ABOUT TIM CORBIN
Tim Corbin is heading into his 13th season as Vanderbilt University's Head Baseball Coach. During his tenure Corbin has turned the Commodores into a national power and taken the program to unprecedented success leading Vanderbilt to the top of college baseball this year with the school's first-ever men's national championship, their second trip to the College World Series in four seasons. He was also named as Baseball America's "Coach of the Year" and for the second time in his career he was named the SEC "Coach of the Year." Corbin also reached two more milestones during the regular season with his 500thvictory at Vanderbilt and his 600th career victory.
ABOUT J. P. WILLIAMS
J. P. Williams knows all about talent. After graduating from high school he worked as a receptionist, an agent's assistant, an assistant and, eventually as VP Live Performance in New York at Spotlite Enterprises, the talent agency owned by his uncle Robert Williams. Spotlite represented and booked Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Damon Wayans,
Adam Sandler and
Jamie Foxx among others. Following the demise of Spotlite Williams launched Parallel Entertainment in 1991 with only a single client, standup comic Jeff Foxworthy. Today, as pointed out by a recent New Yorker profile, Parallel is one of the most successful personal management and productions companies in the entertainment businesses. The agency develops, finances and produces a wide range of entertainment projects including feature films, DVD premier features, comedy and music albums and television series for the like of Comedy Central, CMT, VHI and HBO. Parallel has also expanded its presence by opening an office in Nashville. In partnership with CT Wyatt and Tim Hunze, Williams has built a full scale artist management and music publishing company on
Music Row that's perfect for the ever changing music scene.
ABOUT DEMETRIA KALODIMOS
Demetria Kalodimos is a rare combination of approachable news anchor and award winning reporter. She has delivered the news to Middle Tennessee since 1984, and is now the longest continuous news anchor at Nashville's first TV station, WSMV. Demetria is consistently voted a favorite in local reader polls. Her skills have earned her 15 Emmys, two
National Headliner Awards, two Investigative Reporters and
Editors National Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Award for Investigative Reporting, and two national citations from American Women in
Radio and Television. In 1996, Demetria was chosen Tennessee Associated Broadcaster of the Year. Away from the news desk, Demetria runs her own video company, Genuine Human Productions ,where she creates documentaries, music videos, video concert performances, commercials and awareness and advocacy campaigns.. Her documentaries have been screened and awarded at the Nashville Film Festival, The Sidewalk Moving
Pictures Festival, Indie Memphis, the
Berkeley Film and Video Festival, Barebones, and
Chicago International Film Festival, among others. Her name, Kalodimos means "good person" in Greek. And Demetria certainly lives up to that description, contributing her time, talents and support to countless charities including the Nashville Rescue Mission, M.S. Society and domestic violence awareness groups. Her husband, musician Verlon Thompson has said "She does things all over the country that improve the lives of others. She's got the biggest heart I've ever seen."
ABOUT MICHAEL W. SMITH
Michael W. Smith is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, and musician who has sold more than 15 million albums, earned three GRAMMY® Awards, one American
Music Award, and more than 40 Dove Awards. Smith was recently honored by ASCAP as "a cornerstone of Christian music," for his groundbreaking career and significant influence on the genre. He actively supports the teen club Rocketown, Compassion International, and Samaritan's Purse, the ministry headed by
Franklin Graham. Michael and his wife Debbie live in Middle Tennessee, where they raised their five children. His fourth career Christmas album,
Michael W. Smith & Friends: The
Spirit of Christmas, will be available
September 30, 2014.
ABOUT CHARLIE DANIELS
From his Dove Award winning gospel albums to his genre-defining Southern rock anthems and his CMA Award-winning country hits, few artists have left a more indelible mark on America's musical landscape than Charlie Daniels. An outspoken patriot, beloved mentor to young artists and still a road warrior at age 77, Charlie has parlayed his passion for music into a multi-platinum career and a platform to support the military, underprivileged children and others in need. Whether performing in the hit 80s movie Urban Cowboy, singing on Easter Sunday at his local church or leading an all-star cast at one of his famed Volunteer Jams, Charlie just exudes joy whenever he steps on stage and he's always been quick to provide a platform for other artists to shine. In 1974 he invited some friends to join him at Nashville's War Memorial Auditorium for an all-star concert he dubbed The Volunteer Jam. The event continued for years and was broadcast in the U.S. and internationally. Over the years, the Jam featured a diverse lineup that included Willie Nelson, Ted Nugent, Roy Acuff, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Crystal Gayle,
James Brown, Emmylou Harris, Amy Grant,
George Thorogood, Kris Kristofferson,
Little Richard, Tammy Wynette, Alabama, Oak Ridge Boys, B. B. King and the Allman Brothers. Over the course of his career, Charlie has received numerous accolades, including induction into the Grand Ole Opry and Musicians Hall of Fame. He's been presented the Pioneer Award by the Academy of Country
Music and was honored as a BMI Icon in recognition of his songwriting. He's received a star on the
Music City Walk of Fame.
