Pictured (L-R): City National Bank’s Russell Goldsmith, Chairman and CEO; Diane Pearson, SVP, Team Leader Entertainment Division; Lori Badgett, SVP, Team leader, Entertainment Division; Martha Henderson, EVP Entertainment. Photo: Phillip Fryman.
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 545
The new contender for Party of the Year was given on Tuesday evening (Oct. 18), and it was tossed by – wait for it – a BANK.
Okay, it was not just any bank. It was City National. Already established as the hot show-biz bank in L.A. and New York, it was celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Nashville outpost. In style.
Spectacular venue? Check. Dynamite food? Check. Super music? righteous check. Flurry and feast of fabulons? Check and check.
The venue was Sinema. We swanned up the curved staircase to the posh upstairs lounge, replete with its glam vibe, mood lighting, elegant couches and divans, gleaming bar, art bedecked walls and cozy nooks.
The theme of the party was old-time Hollywood, so a reproduction ‘30s convertible touring car was parked at the entrance. You could have your souvenir photo taken in it, or at an instant-gratification station.
Keeping with the theme, the wait staff inside circulated in flapper gowns, long pearls, shimmy sheaths, feathers and headbands on the gals, or speakeasy suspenders, bellboy caps and gambler garb on the guys.
Cocktails flowed while they circulated with endive leaves holding quinoa salad, salmon crostini and Stromboli bites of pepperoni & cheese. Downstairs, booths and alcoves held party goers enjoying ham & cheese croquettes, barbecue & coleslaw sandwiches, hot chicken & pickle sliders and other delights.
City National Bank’s team members.
OMG: Did you catch the guest list?
Amid the throng working the room(s) were John Ozier, John Ingrassia, John Beiter, Mike Molinar, Mike Vaden, Mike Craft, Martha Ivester, Martha Henderson, Susan Stewart, Suzanne Kessler, Tim Wipperman, Tim McFadden, Debbie Linn, newly betrothed Debbie Carroll & Glenn Sweitzer, Leslie Roberts, Leslie Tomasina & Bob DiPiero, Sherod Robertson, Ronna Rubin, Fletcher Foster, Gilles Godard, Dan Hill and Bill Mayne.
Oh, that’s just the beginning. The schmoozing also included Erika Wollam & Roger Nichols, Dwight Wiles & Diana Johnson, Jennifer Turnbow, Jody Williams, Julie Boos, Kristy Sargent, Kella Farris, Amy Smart, Alicia Warwick, Victoria Shaw (who co-wrote the new Garth Brooks single), Todd Cassetty, David Crow, Perry Howard, Stacy Widelitz, Woody Bomar, Barry Coburn, Ellen Truley, Phil Graham and Tracy Gershon.
Diane Pearson emotionally recognized City National’s Music Row family and thanked everyone for coming. “We just have an incredible team in Nashville,” she said.
“Diane and I have been together, I hate to say how many years,” said her Music Row partner Lori Badgett. “I can’t believe this has been five years already. With everything that’s changed [in the music business], Diane and I stay the same, dedicated to this market.”
Guests were greeted with champagne served through the ticket booth window.
Lori and Diane brought on City National Bank CEO Russell Goldsmith, who helped to grow the institution from $3 billion to $40 billion in assets. “We’ve had a lot of success,” he said, “but it’s all about people.” Spoken like a music-business sage.
This is Music City, right? The bank folks recognized that by presenting one of the scene’s greatest up-and-coming bands. We first encountered The Shadowboxers at Martina McBride’s birthday party back in August.
On that occasion, they were in their rocking, steppin’-and-testifyin’ element. For City National, they proved their mettle as groove merchants and harmony brothers on oldies like “Unforgettable” and “My Girl.” They are working with new Nashvillian Justin Timberlake on their disc debut. All I have to say is, “Look out, world.”
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