Honorees Include David Corlew, Sean Henry, Barbara Hubbard, Charley Pride, Bobby Roberts, Jeannie Seely and Butch Spyridon
The Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) have announced seven highly-respected individuals who will be recognized at the 7th Annual NATD Honors Gala scheduled for November 14, 2017 at the Hermitage Hotel and presented by the Grand Ole Opry and Springer Mountain Farms.
Honorees being awarded for their accomplishments and service to the Nashville entertainment industry include; music industry vet David Corlew, Nashville Predators’ CEO Sean Henry, respected promoter and talent buyer Barbara Hubbard, Country Music Hall of Famer and Grand Ole Opry star Charley Pride, veteran music agent Bobby Roberts, Grand Ole Opry star and Grammy-winnerJeannie Seely and head of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. Butch Spyridon.
The Gala will begin with a reception at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner and the awards ceremony. For tickets and sponsorship information, visit www.n-a-t-d.com.
The 7th Annual Honors Gala will feature surprise appearances and performances from well-known celebrities, special moments and splendid company. It has truly become one of the most anticipated evenings for the Nashville entertainment industry and business community.
About NATD
The 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 close-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. For more information, please visit www.n-a-t-d.com.
About David Corlew
David Corlew has worked with The Charlie Daniels Band for 44 years, serving as Daniels’ personal manager for the last 28 years. Corlew also holds the title of President/Co-Owner of Blue Hat Records which recently celebrated their 20th year of releasing albums and DVD projects. Even winning a GRAMMY Award for Amazing Grace Vol. II (A Country Salute to Gospel) in 1998. In 1999, The Corlew Music Group was formed, producing over 150 cuts to date, from artists such as Reba, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean, and many other country superstars. In 2005, Corlew formed d corlew films which has filmed several projects for Charlie Daniels’ Band, including their 2005 tour of Iraq and Southwest Asia as well as developing projects for CMT, GAC, and other networks. Corlew and Daniels also co-founded the not-for-profit organization The Journey Home Project which sees it’s mission to assist veterans with military organizations who do the most good. David is a former President of the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors and Governor to the Nashville Chapter Board for NARAS. He is currently a member of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Board of Directors and President of the Stars For Stripes Board of Directors.
About Sean Henry
When he’s not interacting with fans, marketing partners or community leaders, promoting Predators activities through his popular @PREDSident twitter account, Sean Henry, as President and CEO of Bridgestone Arena and the Nashville Predators, is leading the organization’s staff towards achieving One Goal: to be the No. 1 Sports and Entertainment venue in the world with a Stanley Cup Champion Nashville Predators as the centerpiece. The organization has never been closer to those goals as Bridgestone Arena ranks among the top and busiest buildings in the world while the Predators won the Western Conference Championship, played for the Stanley Cup and sold out all 41 regular season games and all 11 playoff games in 2016-17. Since coming to the Predators and Bridgestone Arena in 2010, Henry has relentlessly focused on developing and strengthening partnerships within the community, which has led to the opening and operation of Ford Ice Center in Antioch to provide more ice opportunities to youth participants and skaters, a long-term agreement that brings the SEC Men’s and Women’s Basketball tournaments to Bridgestone Arena, the pursuit and hosting of the 2016 NHL All-Star Weekend that generated international attention and $25 million in economic impact. His efforts have led to significant upgrades and enhancements within Bridgestone Arena, every Predators regular season game being televised and integrated marketing and communications that fosters unparalleled customer service that fosters regular interaction. Henry has also been at the forefront of the Predators Foundation’s commitment to the Nashville community in which the Foundation provides $1 million annually in financial grants and contributions to hundreds of worthy charitable and community service organizations.
Sean, his wife Tracey, and their four children—Steven, Matthew, Amy and Jessica—live in Franklin.
About Barbara Hubbard
A spit fire with an Arkansas twang came to Las Cruces, New Mexico in the early 50’s and has since left a legacy in the community and an impression on the entertainment businesses. Barbara Hubbard started as a biology teacher where she met her husband and later explored careers as a Campus Activities Program advisor and cheer-leading coach for New Mexico State University. She was named Director of Special Events in 1977 which quickly lead her to her current title as Executive Director of the American Collegiate Showcase. Although ACTS has changed over the years, their mission remains the same: providing educational scholarships and experience for students wishing to display their talents in the performing arts field. With the scholarship money raised, Barbara is able to take her students to various industry conferences and help nurture their involvement, giving them the exposure, networking experience, and skills to succeed in the entertainment industry.
About Charley Pride
Charley Pride is celebrating more than 50 years as a recording artist. He has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in the history of country music and is credited with helping to break color barriers by becoming the first black superstar within the genre. A true living legend, he has sold tens of millions of records worldwide with his large repertoire of hits. A three-time GRAMMY(r) award winner and GRAMMY(r) Lifetime Achievement recipient, Pride has garnered no less than 36 chart-topping country hits, including “Kiss An Angel Good Morning,” a massive #1 crossover hit that sold over a million singles and helped Pride land the Country Music Association’s “Entertainer of the Year” award in 1971 and the “Top Male Vocalist” awards of 1971 and 1972. A proud member of the Grand Ole Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame, Pride continues to perform concerts worldwide and has toured the United States, Canada, Ireland, The United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand over the last several years. For more information, visit CharleyPride.com.
About Bobby Roberts
Bobby Roberts began his music career singing with his father, famed country music entertainer and “America’s King of the Yodelers,” Kenny Roberts. In school, he formed his own band performing with his brothers. As he progressed through college he was asked by other bands to assist them in getting bookings and so he started his first agency in the basement of his home in Lansing, Michigan. As the agency grew, Bobby decided to develop a full-time regional booking agency and gave up the performing side of the business, soon opening a branch office in Orlando, FL. During his 4 years in Florida Bobby built a successful southern office for his agency and began booking “national” acts in venues that he represented such as rock legend Leon Russell. In 1981, Leon asked Bobby if he would move to Nashville, TN area and oversee his various interests and book, as well as manage, his career. Making the move to Nashville, and after 4 years with Leon, Bobby decided to open an agency chasing his dream of representing national recording artists. From 1986 – 2014 he quietly built one of the most successful, independently owned booking agencies from the Nashville suburb of Goodlettsville, TN. During this time the Bobby Roberts Company represented Aaron Tippin, Pam Tillis, John Anderson, Ray Price, Bobby Bare, Eddie Rabbitt, B.J. Thomas, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Don Williams, Tammy Wynette and many more. The roster included 11 members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. During the ‘90’s Bobby also managed country icon John Anderson and was instrumental in John’s resurgence with numerous hits and the double platinum album “Seminole Wind.” With the continued success of the agency, the NATD recognized Bobby Roberts with the “Talent Director of the Year” Award in 1994. In 2014, The Agency Group based in London, England purchased the Bobby Roberts Company and the CEO of BRC retired to his home in Hendersonville, TN. Bobby now enjoys spending time with family, playing with the grandkids, hunting, fishing, farming, traveling and piloting his airplane.
About Jeannie Seely
“Miss Country Soul” Jeannie Seely is a GRAMMY® award-winning artist who has been recording and performing for more than six decades. A Pennsylvania native, Seely moved to LA where she met many songwriters including Dottie West who ultimately encouraged her to move to Nashville. Within a month, Porter Wagoner hired her as the female singer for his road and television series. On September 16, 1967, Seely’s biggest dream came true when she became the first Pennsylvania native to become a member of the world famous Grand Ole Opry. Seely subsequently became the first female to regularly host segments of the weekly Opry shows. She’s also credited for changing the image of female country performers by being the first to wear a mini-skirt on the Opry stage. On March 2, 1967, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences honored Jeannie with the 1966 GRAMMY® Award for the “Best Country Vocal Performance by a Female.” A BMI-awarded songwriter, Seely’s songs have been recorded by Country Music Hall of Fame members Faron Young, Merle Haggard, Connie Smith, Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Ernest Tubb and Little Jimmy Dickens, as well as by many other artists including Doyle Lawson, Lorrie Morgan and Irma Thomas. Along with placing records on the Billboard country singles chart for 13 consecutive years, Seely also served as a radio disc jockey on her own Armed Forces Network Show. For more information, visit jeannieseely.com.
About Butch Spyridon
Butch Spyridon has served as the head of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) since 1991. Over the last 25 years the NCVC has led the strategic development of Nashville’s hospitality industry. During that time, Nashville has evolved into a global, year-round destination. Visitor spending in Davidson County exceeded $5.7 billion and accounts for one third of the visitor spending in the entire state. During Butch’s tenure, the NCVC has been involved with development initiatives that include the Tennessee Titans, Bridgestone Arena, Music City July 4th, New Year’s Eve in Nashville, the Music City Center, Music City Walk of Fame, and the first ever citywide branding initiative. Combined with the NCVC ongoing sales and marketing initiatives, the city enjoyed an unprecedented 70 months of record (year-over-year) hotel performance and has been named a top destination in the world by multiple publications for five consecutive years.
Past NATD Honors honorees include:
2016 – Rod Essig, Scott Hamilton, Doc McGhee, Leon Russell, Mike Smardak, P.K. Subban and Randy Travis
2015 – Mayor Megan Barry, Sarah Trahern, Charlie Brusco, Mike Wolfe, Peter Weber, Steve Lassiter and Kirt Webster
2014 – Gov. Bill Haslam, Rob Beckham, Tim Corbin, Demetria Kalodimos, Michael W. Smith, JP Williams and Charlie Daniels
2013 – Bernie Cahill, Tom Condon, Chaz Corzine, Martina McBride, Kevin Neal and Bob Romeo
2012 – Mike Fisher, Clint Higham, John Huie, George Jones, Robert Williams and Alan Valentine
2011 – Alabama, Tony Conway, Mayor Karl Dean, James H. Gosnell Jr. and Barry Trotz
