TPAC To Honor Norbert Putnam, Dan Fogelberg, Dollar General At Annual Gala

The Tennessee Performing Arts Center will present its highest honor, the Applause Award, to legendary musician/ producer Norbert Putnam and the Dollar General Corporation at its annual fundraising event, the TPAC Gala, on Saturday, Aug. 26.

The center also will honor the legacy of the late, celebrated singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg, who lived, performed, and recorded in Nashville, with a special posthumous award presentation. TPAC will present the world premiere of a new, original musical, Part of the Plan, featuring Fogelburg’s music beginning September 8.

The TPAC Gala, themed to the Tony award-winning hit musical, An American in Paris, will begin with cocktails and a silent auction in the lobby of Andrew Jackson Hall, followed with the award presentation, dinner, special performances, and additional music by 12 South.

“So many artists, songwriters, and performers are drawn to Music City, just as Dan Fogelberg was as a teenager,” said Kathleen O’Brien, TPAC president and chief executive officer. “That continued allure is the result of contributions of organizations like Dollar General, which fosters literacy and arts education in our community; genius artists like Norbert Putnam who helped to make Nashville a place for creative risk and collaboration and educators who understand how the arts inspire learning and change lives. We’re so proud to recognize the efforts of our honorees at this year’s gala and to celebrate our thriving creative community.”

“I am extremely excited and honored to receive the Applause Award and be present to honor the legacy of my old pal, Dan Fogelberg. The music we created together provided a template of creativity for generations to come,” Putnam said. “Dan was a triple-play musical genius who could write, play and sing with the greatest of all time. It is also a great honor to return to TPAC. I vividly remember an opening night invitation from Martha Ingram to attend the first concert in this beautiful venue. I will dust off my tux, polish my shoes and practice, once again, that extremely difficult knot, and attempt — a socially acceptable bow tie. I am also looking forward to visiting with my old friends and acquaintances from that ‘golden era’ of Nashville history.”