T.J. Martell Foundation’s 2025 Nashville’s Best Cellars Dinner Honors Joe Galante

Photo: Courtesy of Ed Rode for The T.J. Martell Foundation

The T.J. Martell Foundation hosted its annual Nashville’s Best Cellars Dinner at the Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza on Tuesday (April 22), bringing together influential leaders from Nashville’s music and wine industries for a charity auction and dinner dedicated to the fight against cancer.

The evening recognized music industry veteran Joe Galante, who received the 2025 Billy Ray Hearn Award of Excellence. Longtime Kenny Chesney manager Clint Higham presented his friend and fellow industry veteran Galante with the prestigious award, which is named in honor of the late Billy Ray Hearn, a music industry icon and founding volunteer of Nashville’s Best Cellars Dinner whose legacy of faith, leadership and charity continues to inspire. The Award of Excellence recognizes an individual who exemplifies outstanding professional achievement in the music and entertainment community combined with extraordinary philanthropic contributions.

“This award isn’t about fame or titles. It’s about values. It’s about honoring someone who has built a meaningful legacy not just through career accomplishments, but through how they show up for people… how they give, mentor, lift others, and leave everything better than they found it,” said Higham. “Tonight’s honoree embodies all of that.  For decades, he’s been one of the most respected and trusted figures in the music industry. But what truly sets him apart is how he’s used that influence – with humility and intention – to strengthen our community. He’s mentored generations of leaders. He’s quietly raised funds for causes close to our hearts. He doesn’t seek attention—he shows up, does the work, and changes lives.”

Music industry executives, philanthropists and artists convened for the intimate evening, which also included a fundraising auction, and in true Music City style closed with a rollicking jam session courtesy of John Osborne of Brothers Osborne, Kristian Bush of Sugarland and Chase McDaniel. 

An impressive array of artists and producers filled the room to lend their enthusiastic and generous support for the Foundation including Dave Cobb, legendary Styx guitarist/co-lead vocalist Tommy Shaw, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Tim Reynolds, Dan + Shay, Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes, Brad Tursi of Old Dominion, Brothers Osborne, Hardy, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Kimberly Perry, Leigh Nash of Sixpence None the Richer, Lauren Watkins, Chase McDaniel, and Stephen Wilson Jr..

The star-studded evening raised over a half million dollars for cancer research.