T.J Martell Foundation Selects 2015 Honorees

Top: Steve & Judy Tuner, Ken Levitan, Jeffrey Balser, and Billy Ray & Bill Hearn; Bottom: Becca Stevens

The T.J. MARTELL FOUNDATION has selected STEVE and JUDY TURNER, KEN LEVITAN, JEFFREY BALSER, BILLY RAY and BILL HEARN, and BECCA STEVENS as its 2015 honorees.

STEVE and JUDY TURNER have been selected to receive the SPIRIT OF NASHVILLE AWARD in honor of their community involvement within the greater NASHVILLE area.  The TURNERS are proud volunteers serving multiple non-profit and civic organizations benefitting a wide array of causes including VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY, the NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION, NASHVILLE LIBRARY FOUNDATION, NASHVILLE PUBLIC TELEVISION, and many others.

KEN LEVITAN has been honored with the TONY MARTELL OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in recognition of his accomplishments as founder and co-president of VECTOR MANAGEMENT, his work with VECTOR RECORDINGS, his many career achievements with various record labels, and his work in developing the careers of noted artists including KINGS OF LEON, THE FRAY, EMMYLOU HARRIS, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, and many more.

JEFFREY BALSER has been selected for the MEDICAL RESEARCH ADVANCEMENT AWARD in honor of his work as Dean of the SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY and Vice Chancellor for HEALTH AFFAIRS.  DR. BALSER has increased VANDERBILT's clinical services by over 25% thus far in his career, including expansion of the school which is now named among the nation's top 10 medical schools in NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH funding.

BILLY RAY and BILL HEARN have been honored with the FRANCES PRESTON LIFETIME MUSIC INDUSTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD in recognition of their accomplishments within the Contemporary Christian music industry.  BILL is the current President/CEO of CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP and is credited with working to secure that Gospel music was recognized through SOUNDSCAN and has guided the careers of AMY GRANT, TOBYMAC, HILLSONG, MICHAEL W. SMITH, and many more.  BILLY RAY is noted as the "father" of Contemporary Christian music via his formation of SPARROW RECORDS. He is considered one of the foremost visionaries and innovators in Christian music and is a member of the GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF FAME.

BECCA STEVENS has been selected for the LIFETIME HUMANITARIAN AWARD in honor of her work as a renowned Episcopal priest at ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHAPEL on VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY's campus as well as her founding of the NASHVILLE-based social enterprise THISTLE FARMS. She is a noted author and was named a 2011 CHAMPION OF CHANGE by the WHITE HOUSE for her work with THISTLE FARMS in raising over $15 million for supported organizations.

The 7TH ANNUAL T.J. MARTELL FOUNDATION HONORS GALA will take place on MONDAY, MARCH 30th, 2015 at 5:30p (CT) with a cocktail reception and premiere silent auction taking place before the 7p (CT) dinner, awards presentations, musical performances, and live auction. For additional information, visit the organization's website.

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