Talkative Table Hosts Named For T.J. Martell Foundation Event

The T.J. Martell Foundation has confirmed guest hosts for Let’s Talk Nashville on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at the Hutton Hotel.

Founded by Ben Jumper, CEO of Soundcheck and Crew One Productions and T.J. Martell board member, Let’s Talk Nashville provides a rare opportunity for guests to dine at tables hosted by some of the most interesting, accomplished and influential people in Nashville.

All proceeds benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation which funds innovative leukemia, cancer and AIDS research at top hospitals, including the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

“I’m so excited about the upcoming ‘Let’s Talk Nashville’ event for the T.J. Martell Foundation,” Jumper says. “The list of hosts this year is amazing and has helped push it over the top. The event continues to grow. I look forward and have great expectations for the future of the event.”

Each table will have a guest host, who will provide a table centerpiece that reflects their background and acts as a conversation starter. Centerpieces will be included in the evening’s silent auction. Tickets are $200 each and tables start at $2,000. Seats are limited and may be reserved.

Confirmed table hosts thus far include:

Christiev Alphin: creative director, celebrity stylist, designer, model scout and wife of Big Kenny of Big & Rich

Amy and Eddie: integral members of the award winning Bobby Bones Show which reaches millions of listeners on nearly 100 radio stations across the country.

Gigi Butler: founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes, which opened its first location in Nashville in 2008 and is now the largest cupcake franchise in the country.

Danielle Breezy: News 2’s new Chief Meteorologist and a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist. She covered Oklahoma’s second largest tornado outbreak—when 36 tornados touched down in 24 hours.

Guy Gilchrist: created Jim Henson’s Muppets Comic Strip and has had his hand to Looney Tunes, Tom & Jerry, Fraggle Rock, The Pink Panther, and many more.

Sheriff Daron Hall: sworn-in as the 61st sheriff of Davidson County in September of 2002 and elected to his fourth term in 2014

Ali Harnell: Senior Vice President at AEG Live/The Messina Group. She oversees all aspects of bookings, operations and touring activity for Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town and others.

Stacie Kinder: director of cheerleading for the Tennessee Titans. She is also the co-founder of Pro Cheer & Dance, which specializes in cheer and dance training and competition.

Brenda Lee: a member of both the Rock & Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame and has received the coveted Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Derrick Mason: played 15 seasons as a wide receiver in the NFL. He spent most of his career with the Tennessee Oilers/Titans and is the No. 12 receiver on the NFL’s all-time list.

Mike McCloud: CEO of World Food Championships. He works to make food competitions a long-term, fun-filled legacy for the culinary industry.

Chris McCracken: entrepreneur and the current Local Owner of Jim ‘N Nick’s Community BBQ of Tennessee.

Andrew Nacario: 9-year veteran baseball agent with CAA sports. He has advised over 27 first-round draft picks and negotiated more than $100 million in amateur contracts.

Dr. Rhea Seddon: veteran of three space shuttle flights and one of the first six women to ever enter NASA’s Astronaut Program.

Dr. William (Bill) Tansey: Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and Cell and Developmental Biology and a co-leader of VICC’s Genome Maintenance Research Program.

Keni Thomas: country music singer and former US Army Ranger. He served in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and the Battle of Mogadishu, which was recounted in Blackhawk Down.

Dean Unkefer: former undercover agent for the Federal Bureau of Narcotics in New York City. He has since started Special Promotions, Inc. and founded the Country Showdown.

Erik and Karin Vonk: the proprietors of Richland Distilling Company, America’s only Single Estate Rum distillery.

Pete Weber: the play-by-play voice of the NHL’s Nashville Predators. He has won four Tennessee Sportscaster of the Year awards.

Dean Wolfe: founder of American Music Water. He and his company are dedicated to giving back with the sale of bottled water.

Charlie Worsham: singer and songwriter who has toured with Taylor Swift and opened for Miranda Lambert. He also guest appeared in an episode of Bones.