Tag Archives: Bill Haslam

East Tennesseans of the Year: Jenny and Randy Boyd

It was a beautiful evening at Cherokee Country Club for the recent induction of Jenny and Randy Boyd as East Tennesseans of the Year by the East Tennessee Historical Society. The annual event, honoring notable individuals from East Tennessee, has … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville | 4 Comments

Bill Haslam on elections: This is not a game.

Former two-term Knoxville mayor and two-term Tennessee governor Bill Haslam had strong words for attendees this week at a membership lunch for the Knoxville Area Urban League. Stop playing games with politics and start electing people who are more concerned … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville, Politics | 8 Comments

Great party and pithy insights from Lamar Alexander

It looked like a capacity crowd last week at a $500-per-seat dinner honoring former U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander as “East Tennessean of the Year” during a fundraiser for the East Tennessee Historical Society. Familiar faces from all phases of Alexander’s … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Politics | 6 Comments

L’Amour du Vin 2020: Back when we could have fun!

It hasn’t been that long — it actually was just earlier this month — but it seems like an eternity ago. The Knoxville Museum of Art hosted what was one of the last big social occasions many Knoxvillians would attend: … Continue reading

Filed under: Art, Downtown, Events, Food, Knoxville | 9 Comments

Thankful for downtown living, despite a few drawbacks

My friend and client Roy Cockrum won the Tennessee Lottery — and a $153 million lump sum payout — five years ago. So, he literally could live anywhere he wants in the entire world. Guess where he chooses to live? … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Knoxville | 12 Comments

A light goes out in Knoxville, but look for the signs

I was at a Knox County Commission meeting last week when I began receiving worried text messages and, ultimately, a phone call with the news about the incomparable Mickey Mallonee’s passing. Mickey has been a wonderful part of my and … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Knoxville, Public Relations | 20 Comments

Natalie Haslam: East Tennessean of the Year

The East Tennessee Historical Society honored Natalie Haslam last week with its highest honor. She was named East Tennessean of the Year and feted during a sold-out banquet at Cherokee Country Club. She was surrounded by friends and family members … Continue reading

Filed under: Events, Historic preservation, Knoxville | 11 Comments

Governor Bill Haslam: It’s been the honor of a lifetime.

With exactly 100 days left in his term of office (as of today), Gov. Bill Haslam and his wife, Crissy, last night had a casual chat with 100 or so community leaders who are the biggest donors to the United … Continue reading

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Ken Burns: U.S. needs ‘less pluribus; more unum’

Historian Ken Burns was in Knoxville recently, appearing on behalf of the East Tennessee Historical Society and Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law. The $300 per seat dinner at the downtown Hilton featuring Gov. Bill Haslam interviewing Burns was … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Journalism, Knoxville, Media | 4 Comments

Imagination soars at library’s three-ring circus

If ever an event took full advantage of a venue, “Under the Big Top,” a recent fundraiser for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Knox County, did. Held at the Mill & Mine, a new-ish concert and event space at 227 … Continue reading

Filed under: Downtown, Events, Knoxville | 6 Comments