TJ Martell Gala Lines Up Star Talent

Rascal Flatts will receive the Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award

Organizers of the T.J. Martell Foundation 2011 Honors Gala have assembled an all-star list of performers, presenters and honorees for its upcoming event, scheduled for March 28 at the Hutton Hotel. For the night’s biggest honor, Kix Brooks and Dr. Jonathan Gitlin will present the Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award to Rascal Flatts.

Entertainment for the evening will include performances by rock guitarist Tommy Shaw of Styx, country star Lorrie Morgan, and a capella group Committed, known from NBC’s The Sing-Off.

Several other honors will also be handed out. Judge Randall Wyatt Jr. and famed journalist John Seigenthaler will present the Spirit of Nashville Award to Nashville Mayor Karl Dean.

Gov. Bill Haslam and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will present the Lifetime Humanitarian Award to K.S. “Bud” Adams, Tennessee Titans founder, owner, CEO and president.

Dr. Julie Gerberding and actress Dawn Wells will present the Lifetime Medical Achievement Award to Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the Department of Preventative Medicine at Vanderbilt University.

The invitation-only event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and a premiere silent auction. The main program begins at 7 p.m. with dinner, the awards presentation, entertainment and a live auction.

Funds raised by the event pay for innovative cancer research at 10 top research hospitals in the United States, including the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. The first two Honors Galas raised a total of $900,000 and this year is shaping up to be even more successful.

Table sponsorships range from $10,000 to $100,000 and individual tickets are available for $500 or $1,000. Ads honoring the honorees may also be purchased in the commemorative journal. For more information, log onto www.HonorsGala.org.