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Music Group One Republic To Top TMH's Golden Gala Bill

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare

For more than three decades, one of the pinnacles of Tallahassee’s social calendar is the annual Golden Gala to benefit Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare. A major attraction is top-tier musical talent and organizers insist this year’s gala will continue that tradition.

TMH Foundation President Nigel Allen said some of the all-time greats have played the Gala over the years.

"This is going to be the 37th year of the Gala," he recalled. "In fact we started way-back-when with Barbara Mandrell. Some of our early artists were folks like Glenn Campbell, Donny and Marie (Osmond), John Denver, Dionne Warwick and Burt Bacharach and we've gone up and down the musical food chain ever since."

Which has led to what Allen says is another major “get” for this year’s Gala.

"Every year we put together a wish-list of artists that we think will be a draw and keep the event as special as it's always been," he explained. "One Republic has been on TMH's radar for quite some time. They've sold many millions of albums. They also fall within a slot of artists that's growing smaller in that they have never performed in Tallahassee before."

Since their launch 18 years ago, the Colorado-based 6-piece rock band has sold more than 16 million records worldwide. They are also relentless road warriors, constantly touring all over the planet. Which Allen said made booking them for the Gala a particular challenge.

"We were lucky we were able to work with a small booking agency with a connection to the group's management and we were also able to share with them that the funds were going to support a particularly valuable cause - the Walker Breast Center - and because of those kinds of factors and a pretty nice offer, they decided to come on down."

Put it all together and Allen expects yet another in a long string of glittering Golden Galas.

"I think the Gala continues to be one of the focal points for folks in Tallahassee to gather, to enjoy each other's company and share a really special, wonderful evening. What makes it very special is that each year proceeds from the event go to support an important part of the hospital's mission. This year I think expanding the scope of care for people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer is absolutely essential and important and there are a lot of improvements we can make through the proceeds that we receive from this year's event."

But, given the popularity of One Republic, Allen suggested Gala goers hurry to get their tickets now, even though the event is 3 months off.

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Tom Flanigan has been with WFSU News since 2006, focusing on covering local personalities, issues, and organizations. He began his broadcast career more than 30 years before that and covered news for several radio stations in Florida, Texas, and his home state of Maryland.

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