Ashley Capps, right, with Charles Smith, left, and Patrick Roddy.
Every year the East Tennessee Community Design Center recognizes with the Bruce McCarty Community Impact Award an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to building a better future for this region. This year, the award was bestowed upon concert promoter Ashley Capps, the CEO of AC Entertainment and a founder of the famous Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
Because the dinner and awards ceremony, held at the Knoxville Museum of Art, was scheduled for Oct. 29, organizers went for a Halloween theme. It was a hoot, as you will see.
AC Entertainment is one of the leading concert and festival producers in the world, presenting more than 1,000 concerts annually. Bonnaroo has been dubbed by Rolling Stone magazine “one of the 50 moments that changed Rock and Roll.” Not bad for a Knoxville boy. AC Entertainment also produces Knoxville’s internationally acclaimed Big Ears Festival, set for March 31 through April 2, 2016.
Mary Holbrook and Rick Mixon welcomed folks into the museum.
Steve Smith, left, here with Donald Thorne, was chair of the event. His table, appropriately, was called “Steve’s Party Table,” according to the sign on it.
I liked Rick Blackburn’s simple approach to a costume!
Hahaha! This is Ranee Randby.
One whole table, calling themselves the Downtown Mafia, came wearing Ashley Capps masks. Funny.
Black is always in style. That’s how Robyn Ulrich, Amanda Womac and Becky Hancock felt.
For those who didn’t wear costumes, organizers provided masks. Here are Maribel Koella and Katharine Pearson Criss.
From left, Jared and Whitney Smith and Kelli and Ryan Anderson. (The Andersons were a tooth and the Tooth Fairy. Ha.)
Laura and Taylor Forrester were visiting us from the ’80s.
Libby and Wade Orr were fast food icons Wendy and Ronald McDonald. Ha.
Jessica and Josh Wright.
George Wallace and Madeline Rogero came as a Knoxville city councilman and mayor. Oh. That’s what they really are!
City Councilman Finbarr Saunders and Ellen Bebb. (Congrats on your re-election, Finbarr!)
Regal Entertainment President Greg Dunn and his wife, Jennifer.
Lane, left, and Jane McCarty.
Dean and Amber Littleton.
Jake Hudson and Becky Wade.
David Butler and Ted Smith, dressed as a museum director and an IBM executive.
Mary Pom Claiborne won the costume contest as “Dead Dolly.” (I hope the real Dolly doesn’t see this!)
Hahaha! This group came as the Royal Tenenbaums from the 2001 movie of the same name. In the red suits, from left, Nina Wisinger, John Wisinger and Marcia Tobin. The others, from left, Gary Bentley, Julia Bentley, Dan Sines, Sara Pinnell and Ben Pinnell.
Wait a minute. I don’t think this is an invited guest. Hmm.
Nope! Just as I suspected! A Michael Jackson “Thriller” impersonation!
Let’s see a few seconds of the action.
Natalie Robinson and City Councilman Marshall Stair enjoyed the performance.
Hash and Nazzy Hashemian were in the audience.
Bill and Gay Lyons.
Bill May and Marty Begalla.
Ashley’s friend, developer David Dewhirst, introduced a special guest to honor Ashley.
Knoxville poet, singer and songwriter R.B. Morris told how important Ashley has been to his career and performed one of my favorite songs of his, “Then There is a City,” in tribute.
Here’s a version of that song offered for free download on The Daily Times’ website. Take a listen. (It is used here with permission of the artist.)
Ashley made a speech calling for more support for the arts.
Here’s Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero with Ashley’s mother, Grace Capps, at the end of the evening.
From left, Annette Anderson, former executive director of the Community Design Center; Wayne Blasius, the current executive director; and Dr. Joe Johnson, a director emeritus and emcee of the evening.
Marleen Davis and my hubby, Alan Carmichael, after the event.
All in all, this was a very fun and entertaining evening. Congratulations to Ashley on the Bruce McCarty Community Impact Award.
But folks, I’ve got to say a word about the wine. It was dreadful. And I’m not a wine snob. Here’s my rule of thumb: If you are going to charge $75 or less per ticket, go ahead and serve whatever kind of wine you can get donated or discounted. But if, as at this event, tickets cost more than $100 (these cost $150) you owe it to the attendees to provide decent wine. Even if you have to buy it. Just my opinion.
Thanks for the coverage! Wine issue has been fixed for next year, which will be bigger and better than ever.
Congrats on a great night, Steve. Glad to hear about the wine.
It was a fun, high-energy event – kind of like watching an AC show! We will definitely attend next year. You captured it well! love the sound bytes and video.
Thanks, Sara! The Royal Tenenbaums rocked!
That was really Mary Pom??? Wow!
Congrats, Ashley. Well deserved?
Congratulations, Ashley. Your foresight, commitment, and accomplishments have been instrumental in developing Knoxville into a great city.
Martha: How great to hear from you! Wish you could hear how great the Knoxville Symphony sounds these days!
Diana: Yep, that’s Mary Pom!
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