The Tennessee State Library & Archives is distributing more than $30,000 worth of federal grant funds to 15 organizations across the state to help preserve important historical records.

The Country Music Hall of Fame will receive $2,500 from the organization. Other Nashville locations receiving $2,500 grants are the Southern Baptist Library and Archives, as well as Travellers Rest Historic House and Museum.

These funds can be used for a variety of purposes, including purchasing storage equipment such as shelving and boxes, hiring temporary staff for specialized records preservation projects, training archives personnel, or creating digital versions of records.

The funding for the grants comes from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, which is part of the National Archives. The Tennessee Historical Records Advisory Board reviews grant applications to determine which groups receive awards each year.

“When historical records are lost, they are irreplaceable,” Secretary of State Tre Hargett said. “That’s why the projects these 15 organizations are undertaking are so important. They are taking steps to ensure the historical treasures in their communities are properly preserved. I commend the work that the grant recipients are doing on behalf of our state’s shared history.”

The grant recipients are:
Blount County Archives, Maryville, $1,900
Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, $2,500
C.H. Nash Museum at Chucalissa, Memphis, $2,500
Dyer County Archives, Dyersburg, $925
Highlander Research and Education Center, New Market, $2,500
Houston County Archives, Erin, $925
Lincoln County Archives, Fayetteville, $2,000
Museum Center at 5ive Points, Cleveland, $2,500
Overton County Archives, Livingston, $2,500
Pink Palace Museum, Memphis, $2,400
Sam Davis Home, Smyrna, $1,900
Stewart County Historical Society, Dover, $2,000
Southern Baptist Library and Archives, Nashville, $2,500
Travellers Rest Historic House and Museum, Nashville, $2,250
University of Memphis Special Collections, Memphis, $2,450

T.J. Martell Foundation’s Young Professionals Council will host the inaugural Downtown Derby Bed Race in Nashville on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to noon.

The fundraiser will benefit leukemia, cancer and AIDS research. There are 21 teams participating in the competition, including Creative Artists Agency, Regions Bank, United Talent Agency, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, WME/IMG and more.

This year’s sponsors are Nacarato Volvo Trucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Huskins Harris Business Management, Bridgestone Arena, JACK-fm, JHE Production and Do615.

The bed race will run up 5th Ave. from the Omni Hotel to Bridgestone Plaza. Beds will race in heats over 10-minute intervals. The two fastest teams will compete for first place and the Downtown Derby Bed Race trophy.

Awards will also be presented for Best Decorated and Best in Spirit. The Shining Star award will be presented to the individual who raises the most money through online fundraising. The People’s Choice Award will be presented to the team that collectively raises the most money.

“This is a fantastic event for a fantastic cause,” said Young Professionals Council co-chair Zac Koffler. “Where else can you bobsled a bed downtown, make a pit stop at Rippy’s in between heats, and simultaneously raise money to help support the many doctors, hospitals, and researchers, who are working tirelessly to reach the finish line to cure cancer.”

Miranda Lambert Meets Southeast Radio Reps

Miranda Lambert celebrated the opening weekend of Kenny Chesney’s 2016 Spread The Love Tour on Saturday night (April 23) with friends from Southeast radio stations. Lambert is a special guest on Chesney’s stadium tour, which launched at Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare Stadium.

 

Maren Morris Visits The Big Apple

Maren Morris stopped by the NASH FM 94.7 studios in New York City on Tuesday (April 26) to chat with Shila. Her debut album, HERO, comes out on June 3, and she performed a couple of songs off the album including “80’s Mercedes” and “My Church.”

 

Kacey Musgraves Opens For George Strait

Kacey Musgraves warmed up the crowds at George Strait’s sold-out concerts in Las Vegas on April 22 and 23. She entered the new T-Mobile Arena in pink Western wear trailed by a pony. Musgraves will also open Strait’s shows in Las Vegas in September and December.

Google Fiber is now available in several Nashville apartment properties.

According to Google Fiber’s Apartment Finder, four properties in Nashville’s Music Row and Gulch areas now have access, including Element Music Row, Rhythm at Music Row, Bristol on Broadway and Icon in the Gulch now offer access to residents.

Additionally, The Fiber Space opened in the Icon building at 1108 Division. The space provides customers a space to learn about Google Fiber’s products and to experience the gigabit speeds for themselves.

Residents in those four apartments and condominium buildings can sign up at The Fiber Space or online.

Numerous other apartments in Davidson County are set to be installed with Google Fiber soon, including 1010 on the Row, Crescent Music Row, Note 16, The Cadence, Terrazzo, Twelve Twelve, and more.

Additionally, Google announced that Fiber Phone will also be available to Nashville customers. Fiber Phone is a $10/month service for local and international calls, which connects to a mobile phone and transcribes voicemails.