The ACM Red Carpet may be among us this coming weekend, but just a few weeks ago, we walked another red carpet in order to raise money and awareness for cancer research. Of course, we are talking about our friends at the TJ Martell Foundation and the Gala they hosted on March 26th at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville. And they have even more reason to celebrate this year! 2018 marks the 10th year of the Honors Gala and the 25th year that TJ Martell has partnered with the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center.
According to CEO Laura Heatherly, working so closely with patients is her favorite part of her job, especially when it comes to helping them find oncologists locally through Vanderbilt. We talked to Ms. Heatherly and more on the Red Carpet before the Honors. But first, we passed a long table full of beautiful and rare artifacts as part of the Silent Auction. Heatherly beemed with pride when talking about the team that works so hard to collect the items all year. The auction, hosted by Storme Warren and Shawn Parr, included signed guitars, hand written lyrics from songwriters and artists, Maroon 5 concert tickets, autographed pics, luxury trips, designer jewelry, and more.
Returning for the sixth time to host the event was none other than Nashville’s very own Deacon, aka. Charles Esten. Esten, who just wrapped up the very last scenes of CMT’s Nashville this past week, told The Country Note to get that box of tissues ready! And while he is waiting for that next perfect script, he will continue to make music and shine a light on those working to make a difference in the community that he loves so much, which is why he is so humbled every year to be a part of TJ Martell.
And he is not the only one! Early ACM Winner Lauren Alaina sparkled on the red carpet in a strapless V-cut pink dress when she stopped by to chat with The Country Note. After all, the world had just been exposed a few days earlier to Alaina’s tearful reaction when Reba called to surprise her with the award for New Female Vocalist. And as elated as she was to have been voted on by her peers and mentors, she was that much more excited to perform at the TJ Martel Gala and give back to the people who do so much and go out of their way to make a difference.
Not only was it a good day and week for Lauren Alaina, but Jeff Foxworthy had some cool news of his own to share. Country’s favorite redneck comedian gave The Country Note the inside scoop on his brand new card game, “Relative Insanity”, which is made up of 500 punch lines and 100 set up cards about relatives.
“It’s like Cards Against Humanity but it’s not dirty like that!” joked Foxworthy.
The “You Might Be a Redneck If” phrase coiner was on hand to present the Lifetime Achievement Award to concert promoter Mike Smardak, who took Foxworthy out of the clubs and onto the bigger stages with tours like Blue Collar Comedy.
Smardak was one of five community leaders being honored that night. Janet Ayers received the Lifetime Humanitarian Award for her dedication in providing scholarships and other resources thru the Ayers Foundation. Frank Bumstead, a financial guru responsible for numerous mergers, sales, and investments, was presented with the Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award. Dr. James Netterville, a leading doctor of head and neck cancer, was given the Medical Research Advancement Award by a patient and one of today’s biggest Christian artists, Natalie Grant. Rounding out the honorees was Nashville Predators GM David Poile in his acceptance of the Spirit of Nashville Award from Nashville’s most recognizable hockey player, Mike Fisher.
Some of Nashville’s most beloved musical talents took to the stage to honor these community game changers. Previously mentioned artists Lauren Alaina and Natalie Grant shared the stage with Danny Gokey, Thomas Rhett, and Keith Urban, along with others.
All in all, the night’s festivities raised over $425,000 for cancer research. Since the Honors Gala began in 2009, over $4 million has been raised in the name of fighting disease– all thanks to music industry executive Tony Martell and his colleagues. They began this journey in 1975 to honor his beloved son T.J. who lost his battle with leukemia. Over the course of the last 40+ years, the Foundation has partnered with seven flagship hospitals in the US, providing more than $280 million for research. For more information, visit www.tjmartell.org.
To check out our interviews on the Red Carpet, click here! And enjoy the slideshow (pictures provided by Getty Images).