Michael Braunstein, left, executive director of The Les Paul Foundation, and Peter Frampton at the 2024 Les Paul Spirit Awards, held at the Gibson Garage Nashville in partnership with Gibson Gives. The awards event was held June 9, which would have been Les Paul’s 109th birthday. The award was made from a piece of wood from Les Paul’s acoustic wall from his home in Mahway, New Jersey. The curved wood was hand-carved by Paul and his son, Rusty.

-- Photo By Mitch Conrad

The Les Paul Foundation, created to share the legacy of Les Paul through the support of music education, recording, innovation, exhibits about Les Paul and medical research related to hearing, has awarded its annual Les Paul Spirit Award to musical artist and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Peter Frampton.

The award is presented to an individual who exemplifies the spirit of Paul through innovation, engineering, technology and/or music. In addition to the award, a grant from the Les Paul Foundation was made in the honoree’s name to the charity of his choice.

Frampton, like Paul, has experimented with new technologies and music trends, as demonstrated in his early recordings on albums “Frampton” and “Frampton Comes Alive!” and particularly his hit singles “Do You Feel Like We Do” and “Show Me the Way,” synonymous with the use of the talk box.

Frampton grew up in England and joined a band when he was only 16. Two years later, he joined the supergroup Humble Pie and achieved across the United Kingdom. In 1971, Frampton left Humble Pie and released his first solo debut, Winds of Change.

The Les Paul Spirit Award for Peter Frampton is made from actual hand-carved acoustic boards built by Paul that he used in his home studio. No two Les Paul Spirit Awards are exactly the same, given the unique nature of the studio pieces which are being used to create them and their intrinsic value as authentic Les Paul memorabilia.

Bass, Berry & Sims adds pair of associates

Samuel R. Knell and Ethan Rode have joined Bass, Berry & Sims’ Nashville office as associates.

Knell advises clients on estate planning and the administration of trusts and estates. He works with high-net-worth individuals, families, businesses, trust companies, family offices and fiduciaries on the implementation of generational wealth transfer and business succession plans through the use of sophisticated tax-advantaged strategies.

Knell earned an LL.M. in taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and an undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee.

Rode counsels clients on debt financing transactions. His practice focuses on representing borrowers and lenders in financing transactions and advising clients on debt finance compliance and corporate governance matters.

Rode previously was an associate at McGuireWoods LLP in its Atlanta office. He earned a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law and undergraduate degrees in economics and government from Wesleyan University. He interned during law school for the Hon. Leigh Martin May with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

TN Democratic Party names executive director

The Tennessee Democratic Party has hired Brian Córdova as its new executive director.

Córdova is joining the TNDP after almost a decade of working in Tennessee politics. He most recently served as a deputy campaign manager for Gloria for Tennessee, stepping away to take this role. He has also worked for a number of candidates, including former Gov. Phil Bredesen (2018 Senate campaign), U.S. Rep Jim Cooper (2020 Congressional campaign) and Mayor Megan Barry (2015 mayoral campaign).

He also served as political director for the House and Senate Democratic Caucuses and has worked or consulted on races across Tennessee and elsewhere, including New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Hawaii.

The executive director is responsible for managing day-to-day party business and for programs and initiatives designed to build party and help elect more Democrats.

You Have the Power welcomes Adams

You Have the Power has hired Olivia Adams as communications coordinator. Adams will handle the organization’s internal and external communications to support its initiatives.

Adams earned a degree in English with a concentration in rhetoric and writing from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She was most recently a reporter for Main Street Media of Tennessee.

Founded in 1993 by former First Lady of Tennessee Andrea Conte, You Have the Power began bringing together those touched by violent crime. YHTP focuses on education, prevention, and policy through the lens of survivors.

Tanger Outlets announces addition to management

Emily Stott has been named marketing manager for Tanger Outlets Nashville. She will be responsible for promoting events and retailers and creating sponsorship and media opportunities.

Stott previously spent the five years working in various roles with the Indevin Group in Auckland, New Zealand, following a stint in sales and marketing for Tennessee Homemade Wines in Gatlinburg.