2001

COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

DINNER PARTY AT TONY BROWN’S HOUSE: $25,000 A HEAD

In 2000, the Country Music Hall of Fame launched a fund-raising campaign to pay for a new, more expansive building for fans. A design had been approved by its board, and now it was time to raise money to build it.

I had a bright idea to challenge all the top record producers in Nashville, who were raking in a lot of money working with major artists, and who probably would eventually be in the Hall of Fame, to get involved in the fund-raising campaign. We all had a vested interest in preserving the country music legacy.

Kyle Young and Bud Wendell joined me in hosting the dinner, with the catch being that everyone was invited, as long as they each brought a $25,000 check with them to donate to the building fund. After dinner, we all retired to my pool table room, where I proceeded to lay down my check for $25,000, and everyone else followed. That night we raised over $200,000 for the Hall of Fame! I am proud of my involvement with the Country Music Hall of Fame in its fund-raising, as well as serving on the board.

OVER $200,000 AND FRIENDS POOLING TOGETHER COUNTRY MEMORABILIA KICK-STARTED THE GREAT NEW HALL OF FAME BUILDING.