Beth Hamilton, Leigh Anne and Stuart McWhorter, Chet Frist
Marie Martin, Brian Heuser, Helene Gayle
Jena Lee and James Nardella
Drew and Ellie Holcomb
Paint the town red A red, red night for Blood:Water Mission at the Red Tie Gala
A
s guests stepped off the elevators at the Hutton Hotel, there was instant enchantment with red lighting and attire filling the room. The Red Tie Gala, an annual event hosted by Blood:Water Mission in an effort to raise funds for the global HIV/AIDS crisis, was a night to remember from the very beginning. Partygoers were given a $25 voucher as a thank you for their continued support of the organization to redeem at merchandise tables throughout the room. And how can one host an all-red evening without a classically chic red carpet? Everyone from Melinda Doolittle to Jars of Clay lead singer— and Blood:Water Mission co-founder—Dan Haseltine was seen gliding down the carpet discussing their involvement with the cause. At an event where red was all the rage, we enjoyed seeing the unique ways in which the night’s most fashionable ladies and gents incorporated the color into their outfits. Our favorite was co-founder Jena Lee Nardella’s black sleeveless cocktail dress with a red tie accenting as a sash. Co-chair Tiffany Fallon mingled with guests while sporting a sleek red dress with lace detailing, and her husband and co-chair Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts didn’t look too shabby himself ! While the cocktail party winded down, revelers moved into the ballroom, which was magnificently decorated with neutral taupe striped tablecloths and beautiful centerpieces made up of a bevy of white flowers. Guests sat down to a dinner catered by the Hutton Hotel featuring a menu of sundried tomato basil and Parmesan stuffed chicken, a seasonal vegetable medley and Miracle One wine. Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors performed, but it was the chemistry between Drew and his wife and bandmate Ellie that had the crowd swooning. After being shown a video of Suki, Ethiopia, one of the many communities that benefits from the organization’s work, guests went their separate ways for the evening. A large red drop projected onto the side of the hotel, though, left in the hearts of the attendees and all in Nashville who viewed it the powerful mission that was being lauded that very evening.
Jake Smith, Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell
Jaci Velasquez, Melinda Doolittle
Jewel, Virginia Davis
ERIN CRABTREE PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND
34 >> JANUARY 2014 | nfocusnashville.com
Co-chairs Tiffany Fallon and Joe Don Rooney, Eddie Garcia, Christine Burger