Traditional Country Artist Tommy Cash lands Two Honors

JUST CALL HIM ‘COLONEL CASH’: TRADITIONAL COUNTRY ARTIST TOMMY CASH LANDS TWO HONORS


(NASHVILLE)—After 40-plus years as a country performer, he’s scored a string of chart-topping hits, recorded with everyone from George Jones to Marty Stuart—not to mention his iconic brother—and served proudly and honorably in the United States Army.


But thanks to the powers that be, the living legend known as TOMMY CASH has managed to accomplish a career first by being recognized by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen as an honorary colonel.


Currently touring in support of his newly released Fade To Black CD on the InLight label, Tommy was taken by surprise recently when he was presented with the “Colonel Aide de Camp,” an honorary commission in the State of Tennessee that has been awarded to individuals for meritorious service since 1943.


According to information from the governor’s office, only elected officials may request Colonel Aide de Camp certificates. In turn, the Arkansas-born hit-maker was nominated for the honor by Sen. Jim D. Tracy for his many contributions to and on behalf of the Volunteer State, especially his esteemed history of traveling worldwide to promote Tennessee through his musical talents, as well as his dedication to aiding the music industry through service.


In addition to touring more than 120 shows annually in both the United States and Europe, Cash is “known for (his) music and willingness to serve on boards to help promote the music industry,” according to the senator’s nomination, which lists Cash’s longtime membership and service to the Reunion of Professional Entertainers, also known as ROPE, where he currently serves on its board of directors.


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And speaking of ROPE, the Nashville-area entity, like the governor's office, touted its appreciation for Cash and his service to the music industry earlier this month at its 22nd Annual Golden ROPE Banquet & Awards Show, where Tommy was presented with its 2009 Business Award.


"I am honored to have received the Business Award for the year from ROPE," shared Cash, who did time as Hank Jr.'s guitarist back in the day. "I was thrilled to be nominated, but winning was a great surprise!"


As for his honorary Colonel Aide de Camp recognition, which was coincidentally bestowed on Cash during the ROPE event, "Making country music and supporting it comes naturally to me; there is no prize or trophy I see for doing what I think I was born to do," he says. "However, I am humbled and most grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the Tennessee Colonel honor that was signed by our governor. I am so blessed to have such dear friends who would support me in this way."




About the honorary title of Colonel


The honorary title of Colonel is conferred by some states in the United States of America and certain units of the Canadian Forces. The origins of the titular colonelcy can be traced back to colonial and antebellum times when men of the landed gentry were given the title for financing the local militia without actual expectations of command.

Reportedly, the practice originated during the English Renaissance, when a colonelcy was purchased by a lord or prominent gentleman, but the actual command would fall to a lieutenant colonel, who would deputize for the proprietor.




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