John Mellencamp To Performs At The TJ Martell 2013 Honors Gala, March 10th

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—February 27, 2013—The T.J. Martell Foundation revealed today a partial list of its presenters and entertainment lineup for the fifth annual Nashville Honors Gala. The 2013 program includes some of the biggest names in music, as well as a special appearance by Academy Award winning actor Jeff Bridges.

The Gala honorees, which were announced earlier this year, are T Bone Burnett, Vince Gill, Butch Spyridon and Peggy Joyce.

Burnett penned the song "The Scarlet Tide," sung by Alison Krauss, with Costello, which earned them both an Academy Award nomination.

Living country legend Vince Gill will be honored by two surprise performers at the gala. Gill is receiving the Frances Williams Preston Lifetime Music Industry Award – one of the foundation’s most prestigious distinctions, named in honor of the Music Row pioneer who had a personal impact on Gill.

"I couldn’t ask for anyone better to take my interest to heart and look after me. At the end of the day I knew she was going to represent me and my fellow songwriters by doing a first-class job," said Gill, on Preston and receiving the award in her memory. "She seemed to love the people and the songs more than the work she was doing. Frances was a powerful woman. And power doesn't look good on most people, but on Frances it was never more beautiful."

Gill will be receiving the first award given in Frances Preston’s honor since her passing last year. Preston was the first recipient of the award in 2009, along with Michael Bolton in 2011, and Kris Kristofferson in 2012. The 2013 award will be presented to Gill by wife, Amy Grant, whose career spans over 25 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into an iconic pop star, selling over 30 million records worldwide.

Four of Nashville’s biggest hit-makers will also be performing some of their songs at this year’s gala – songwriters Tim Nichols, Brett James, Rivers Rutherford and Aaron Barker. Tim McGraw’s hit, "Live Like You Were Dying," was co-penned by Nichols, while hit singles by James and Rutherford include Carrie Underwood’s, "Jesus Take the Wheel," and, "When I Get Where I’m Going," recorded by both Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton. Barker’s hits include George Straight’s, "Easy Come, Easy Go" and, "I’d Like To Have That One Back." Nichols will be presenting the Spirit of Nashville Award to Butch Spyridon for his outstanding work as CEO of Nashville’s Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"We are so excited to have yet another lineup of world famous performers this year," said T.J. Martell’s Director of Development, Cindy Lovelace. "We are truly humbled that some of the greatest artists in the world believe in the mission of our foundation, and in the influence of our honorees."

Dr. Jennifer Pietenpol will be at the gala as a presenter. Pietenpol, Director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, leads a team developing revolutionary methods of cancer screening and treatment. She serves on the National Cancer Advisory Board of the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Scientific Advisory Committee, and is on the board of directors of the American Association for Cancer Research. Pietenpol will be presenting the Spirit of Hope Award to Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center supporter and volunteer Peggy Joyce.

The March 10 event is invitation-only and begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and premiere silent auction. The festivities continue at 7:00 p.m. with dinner, the awards presentation, musical performances and a live auction.

The co-chairs for the 2013 event include David Corlew, Blue Hat Records and Charlie Daniels Band; Kitty Moon Emery, KittyMoon Enterprises; and Steve Hauser, WME.