NASHVILLE – Dolly Parton and Dr. Bob Fisher, former President of Belmont University, were recently recognized by the Nashville Hospitality Industry for contributing to Music City’s tourism success. Mayor Freddie O’Connell and NCVC President and CEO Deana Ivey presented them with the industry’s top honors during the Nashville Hospitality Industry Celebration Luncheon earlier this month.
Parton was awarded the E.W. “Bud” Wendell Award, which honors an individual outside the hospitality industry who has contributed to the overall success of tourism. Fisher received the Francis S. Guess Connector Award, which recognizes an individual who has worked to connect the hospitality industry to the community at large.
“Dolly’s music has been a foundational piece of the Music City brand for decades, which has served as a beacon drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to town,” Ivey said. “Beyond her music, Dolly’s creative and philanthropic efforts have received international attention and escalated our reputation as a warm and welcoming city.”
About Fisher, Ivey said, “Bob was an early adopter of the Music City brand when we first introduced it to the community, and he was critical in getting other leaders to accept it. He understood the power of music as a driver for tourism.”
Parton has worked to address childhood literacy through Imagination Library and her most recent project, Begin Bright, supporting Nashville Public Library. She is opening SongTeller Hotel downtown, which will include a museum, and she created a new theatrical show, Dolly: An Original Musical, which premieres at Belmont’s Fisher Center this summer before heading to Broadway.
The Wendell Award honors pays tribute to the former CEO and president of Gaylord Entertainment. Past recipients of the Wendell Award include Vince Gill, Gov. Phil Bredesen, former Mayor Karl Dean, Eddie George, Amy Adams Strunk and former Gov. Bill Haslam. Parton received a custom Herb Williams Crayola piece, featuring Nashville’s renowned music note.
During his tenure at Belmont, Fisher helped promote visitation to Nashville by bringing major events to the city, including two historic Presidential debates and premier international tennis event, the Davis Cup. He has also been deeply involved in issues of public education, housing insecurity and affordable housing.
The Francis S. Guess Connector Award honors the legacy of the late Francis S. Guess, a prominent Nashvillian known for building bridges between diverse groups to strengthen alliances and advance the city. Past Connector Award recipients have included Keb’ Mo’, the late Kitty Moon, banker Ron Samuels and Bud Walters, owner of Cromwell Media.
Fisher received a framed, custom handwritten and autographed copy of the lyrics to “Gold,” a hit song by Belmont alumnus Ashley Gorley and recorded by Dierks Bentley.
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City
The mission of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and Visit Music City is to maximize the economic contribution of the convention and tourism industry to the community by developing and marketing Nashville as a premier destination. Visit the NCVC’s website at visitmusiccity.com and follow us on social media @VisitMusicCity.
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