Nashville, TN. (Top40 Charts/ Grand Ole Opry) - On November 2, the Grand Ole Opry marked the 60th anniversary of
Little Jimmy Dickens, one of the most colorful and beloved Opry members. During a backstage celebration, country star Pam Tillis made a surprise presentation of roses specifically hybridized to recognize these two long-standing icons. It was the first public showing of the Grand Ole Opry rose and
Little Jimmy Dickens rose. Created with special colors, sizes and shapes to reflect the uniqueness of their inspirations, the roses are an expression of America's appreciation of these music figures.
"It is a rare honor to have a rose named for you," said Tillis. "To date, there are just over a dozen country artists with roses named after them." The roses are just a sampling of what is to be included in the new Nashville Music Garden in downtown Nashville. Located at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Demonbreun in the Hall of Fame Park across from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, this unique garden will be formally dedicated next year. For more information, log onto www.nashvillemusicgarden.com.
The Nashville Music Garden is a one-of-a-kind rose garden that honors singers, industry leaders and songwriters synonymous with Nashville's music community with hand-crafted and specially hybridized roses from the Nashville Music Collection. The inspiration for the Nashville Music Garden began a little over a year ago when country music legend Barbara Mandrell gave her namesake rose to friend and avid gardener, Pat Bullard. Bullard, Trustee of LifeWorks, a Nashville charitable foundation, immediately recognized the roses as a new and exciting way to bring attention to Nashville's thriving music industry, to honor its icons and to beautify Music City.
On November 20, 2007, ground was broken on the 2,700-square-foot-honorary garden and on March 6, 2008, the first two roses, Always Love You and Nashville Rose, were installed in an installation ceremony attended by Barbara Mandrell, Bullard, landscape architect Jim Douglas of Hodgson & Douglas, representatives of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau and MetroParks, the Nashville Rose Society, as well as the late Master Rosarian Dr. Louis Mishu, who acted as consultant and horticultural specialist for the garden before his passing this past month.
Since that time, more than three dozen roses have been added to the Nashville Music Collection including the Amy Grant, Dolly Parton, Lynn Anderson, Barbara Mandrell, Elvis, Pam Tillis, Ring of Fire, Tennessee Waltz, Rocky Top, Funny Face, Mountain Music, Minnie Pearl, Footlights, Butterfly Kisses, Everlasting Love, Blue Bayou, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Heart of Gold, Gentle Giant, Cool Water, LeAnn Rimes, Chantilly Lace, Amazing Grace and Janice Wendell roses. The Nashville Music Garden has also been working with world-renown hybridizer Verlie W. Wells (aka Whit Wells), to create roses for those who deserve recognition. These roses include DeFord Bailey, Brenda Lee, Lee Greenwood's American Patriot, Little Jimmy Dickens and Grand Ole Opry, with more to be announced in the near future. The garden is funded by LifeWorks Foundation and is supported by MetroParks, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and the Nashville Rose Society.
