Tommy Jett Entertainers Reunion set for Sunday

Friday, January 1, 1904

The Tommy Jett Entertainers Reunion will move this year to the Silver Ballroom at the Sheraton Read House, 827 Broad St.

The 16th annual event is scheduled from 1 to 11 p.m. Sunday. It begins with a private reception for area entertainers at 1 p.m., then opens to the public at 3 p.m., with live music throughout the evening.

Another change taking place this year is that proceeds will go to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, which meets the emergency food needs of more than 20,000 people every week in the 20 counties surrounding Chattanooga. A donation for the Food Bank will be requested at the door.

Jett, a Chattanooga broadcaster for more than 52 years, will be inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame on May 4. He created the reunion as a way to bring area entertainers together and to raise money for a local charity.

Over the years, the event has raised thousands of dollars for charities such as the Shriners Burn Unit, March of Dimes, American Diabetes Association, hurricane victims, Nashville flood victims, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Chattanooga Hospice.

"They are all wonderful charities, and I'm especially glad to be raising money for the food bank," Jett says. "It's unbelievable that anyone in our area would go hungry, but they do every day."

The featured band this year is The Malemen. Also set to perform are The Stratoblasters, The Robby Hopkins Band, Crossfire, Paul Smith and the Skyhigh Band, Queen B & The Well Strung Band and Raven featuring Stacy Wilson.

Thom Cavin and the Chattanooga Songwriters Association will offer a presentation in memory of the Rev. Gene Coleman, who died late last year. Coleman was the chaplain of the reunion and helped Jett plan many of the events.

For more information, call Tommy Jett at 423-488-3322, Becki DeBord at 423-488-8106 or Craig Tyndall at 423-802-9130 .

Contact staff writer Barry Courter at bcourter @timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.