Spirit of The District Award
The purpose of this award is to honor a person or persons who have provided great-service & leadership to The DISTRICT and who have worked to broaden The DISTRICT’s influence, outreach and goodwill.
2026 Spirit of the District Award
BARRETT HOBBS
The DISTRICT is proud to announce Barrett Hobbs as the recipient of the 2026 Spirit of The DISTRICT Award. Barrett has dedicated his career to enhancing Nashville’s entertainment, tourism, and downtown business community while preserving the authentic character that makes the city unique.
Barrett Hobbs is a Nashville native, multi-generational hospitality leader, and Founder and Principal of Cumberland Hospitality Group. Continuing a legacy that began with his family founding of the Nashville Palace in 1977, Barrett owns and operates some of Nashville’s most recognized entertainment venues, including the Scoreboard Bar & Grill, Bootleggers Inn, and Doc Holliday’s with continued operation of the iconic Nashville Palace.
His impact extends well beyond hospitality through decades of service to Nashville through many leadership affiliations including:
Chair, Music City Center Board
Board Member, Nashville Sports Council
Active Member, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation (CVC)
Founding Member, Broadway Entertainment Association
Former Chair, The DISTRICT and District Merchants Association, (10+ years)
Former Board Member, Nashville Downtown Partnership
Through his commitment to live music, locally owned businesses, community service, and the continued success of downtown Nashville, Barrett exemplifies the spirit of leadership, stewardship, and advocacy that this award was created to honor.
Past Spirit of the District Award Winners
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![A man and woman smiling at an indoor event, holding an award sign that reads 'The District presents Gary Bowie with the Spirit of the District Award.']()
Gary Bowie
2025 Spirit of the District Award
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![A man in a police uniform and a man in a suit holding a framed award together. The uniformed man is smiling, and the man in the suit is holding the award with both hands. The background has colorful artwork of birds and a poster.]()
Chief John Drake
2024 Spirit of the District Award
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![Two men on a stage, one holding a microphone and the other holding a framed poster, at an event in a venue with brick walls and a large screen in the background.]()
Mac McDonald
2023 Spirit of the District Award
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![Two women smiling and holding a framed poster on stage at an event in Nashville, Tennessee. One woman is wearing a bright pink coat, and the other is in a dark suit with glasses. The background shows part of the stage banner.]()
Betsy Williams
2022 Spirit of the District Award
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![A woman and a man are holding a framed award plaque and smiling at the camera. The plaque has text and a silhouette of a city skyline.]()
Judy Steele Bayer
2019 Spirit of the District Award
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![Group of six women and one man at an event, with one woman holding a sign that reads 'Elizabeth Mayhall Spirit of District Award.' They are dressed in formal attire and standing indoors near a stage with musical equipment.]()
Elizabeth Mayhall
2018 Spirit of the District Award
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![An older man with glasses, a bald head, and a mustache, standing outdoors with greenery and concrete planters in the background. He is wearing a white dress shirt, a patterned tie, and plaid pants, with one hand in his pocket.]()
Gary Everton
2017 Spirit of the District Award
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![Three people standing together at an award event, with one holding a large framed certificate or sign that reads Ron Gobbell, Spirit District Award, Church Street Lofts, and other text. They are smiling, and the background has purple and blue lighting.]()
Ron Gobbell
2016 Spirit of the District Award
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![Four people standing together, smiling, holding a framed poster, in an indoor event space. The man second from the left is holding the frame, which features text about a music award in Nashville, Tennessee.]()
Steve Buchanan
2015 Spirit of the District Award
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![Three smiling people at an award event, holding a colorful framed poster titled 'Spirit of the District Award 2014' featuring names of individuals and phrases.]()
Tom Morales
2014 Spirit of the District Award
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![A man in a dark suit standing in a room with framed photographs on the wall behind him.]()
Butch Spyridon
2013 Spirit of the District Award
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Jack Cawthon
2012 Spirit of the District Award
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![Four people smiling, holding a framed certificate or award at an event, with a red wall in the background.]()
Brenda & Rubble Sanderson
2011 Spirit of the District Award
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![Three men standing next to a poster on an easel at a convention or event, with one man dressed in a cowboy hat and the other two in business attire. The poster features text related to the TV show 'Spirit District' and 'The Karl Dean Show.']()
Mayor Karl Dean
2010 Spirit of the District Award
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![Group of seven people standing together at an event, one holding a framed poster for the Aspire District Awards.]()
Ann Roberts
2009 Spirit of the District Award
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![Close-up of an elderly man with light hair, smiling slightly, standing near a river with city buildings and power lines in the background, in black and white.]()
Mayor Richard Fulton
2008 Spirit of the District Award
Congratulations to our 2025 Spirit of the District Award Winner!
Gary Bowie
2025 Spirit of the District Award
Gary Bowie
“He’s a preservationist and champion of Downtown Nashville, who long believed history and progress could coexist.”
From the moment he moved to Downtown Nashville in the early 2000s, Gary Bowie had a pioneer’s vision. Few people were living downtown at the time, but he saw potential for a vibrant residential and business community that would thrive while preserving and celebrating its unique, colorful heritage.
His first renovation was in 2003, years before the current revitalization took hold. During his eight subsequent building projects, Bowie remained a constant and passionate cheerleader for the DISTRICT, especially Printer’s Alley and 2ndAvenue, where he’s invested millions into renovating historic buildings like Phoenix Lofts. He’s been a vocal advocate for downtown residents, organizing cleanups, showing compassion for the homeless community, and lending a hand to startupbusinesses.
Bowie effectively helped shape downtown Nashville into a destination by creating spaces for visitors, like Printer’s Alley Lofts, when there weren’t many hotels in the area, and recruiting out-of-towners and other Nashvillians to celebrate downtown along with him.
For over 20 years, Bowie has been an enthusiastic sponsor of events like the DISTRICT progressive party and has always uplifted and supported local music.
Gary will be presented his award at our upcoming Progressive Party - High Notes & Highballs on September 17. Presenting the award will be former Nashville Mayor, Megan Barry at Category 10.