Nashville, TN. (Celebrate Nashville announcement) - Tim McGraw,
Faith Hill and Tennessee Supreme Court
Justice A.A. Birch will serve as the honorary chairs for Celebrate Nashville, Mayor Bill Purcell announced today.
McGraw, Hill and Birch will join Purcell at the Oct. 1, 2006 kick off of the nine-month celebration. Celebrate Nashville will begin with the dedication of the new park at the Public Square in front of the historic Davidson County Courthouse. The occasion will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Nashville's incorporation and the election of the city's first mayor and aldermen.
"Tim McGraw, Faith Hill and Justice A.A. Birch will help us tell the world about all the things we have to celebrate in Nashville during the next year," Purcell said. "They represent the people, music and history that make our city a special place."
With more than 60 million albums sold, six Grammy Awards, 17 American Music Awards, 22 Country Music Association Awards and 16 Academy of Country Music Awards, 11 No 1 albums and more than 35 No 1 singles, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are country music's reigning first couple, and each, in their own right, one of their generation's most successful performers.
Birch, former chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, who will retire from the bench on August 31, was recently honored when the new Davidson County criminal courts building was named the A.A. Birch Building. A judicial pioneer, Birch served at every level of the state judicial system including 13 years on the Tennessee Supreme Court where he was Chief Justice from May 1996 - July 1997.
McGraw and Hill have been touring the country on their "Soul2Soul II" Tour.
Both have been active over the past year supporting relief efforts for New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina and established the Neighbor Keepers Foundation for organizations which are in need of goods, services and finances to assist individuals still suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.
Justice Birch's legal career stretches back to the days of Nashville's leadership in the Civil Rights movement.
Purcell announced plans for Celebrate Nashville in his State of Metro Address on May 25. Celebrate Nashville events will include recognized Music City landmarks including the 40th Anniversary of the Country Music Awards at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in November, the Country Music Marathon in April and the Independence Day Celebration at Riverfront Park on July 4th, which will mark the closing of the Celebrate Nashville events.
There will also be unique Celebrate Nashville events including the dedication of the park at the Public Square and activities in neighborhoods throughout the city. Celebrate Nashville will provide an opportunity for the people, neighborhoods and institutions of our city to create an event or activity that highlight the things that make Nashville a special place.
Celebrate Nashville will be a grassroots, community, volunteer effort. Purcell believes it will be successful because of the diverse, creative and energetic people that bring their talents to the many celebrations across the city.
