Jackson’s commitment to diverse performing arts at The Franklin Theatre extends for 11th year

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, and Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (Jackson®) are excited to announce the continuation of a longstanding partnership to support The Franklin Theatre’s efforts to present diverse performing arts experiences for the enrichment of Williamson County.

2022 marks the eleventh straight year that Jackson has been a corporate sponsor of The Franklin Theatre. Their support entails presenting sponsor rights to the Great Performance Series and Franklin Theatre Live Series (FT Live). The Great Performances Series endeavors to curate the finest virtuoso artists from all over the world and bring them here to Williamson County, while FT Live showcases a distinguished lineup of concert and comedy performances in the intimate 300-seat historic theatre.

“Jackson is proud to have supported The Franklin Theatre for eleven years,” said Niya Moon, Corporate Philanthropy Manager at Jackson. “As a civic-minded corporation with an office in the Franklin community, we value the cultural enrichment that The Franklin Theatre brings to our neighbors, employees, colleagues and friends.”

“The Franklin Theatre is known as ‘The Jewel of Main Street’ for its contributions to downtown Franklin and beyond,” mentioned Eric Dilts, Managing Director of The Franklin Theatre. “Through the support of valued sponsors like Jackson, we can continue to present an eclectic array of live performances that meet the diverse cultural entertainment interests of Williamson County residents and visitors.”

Upcoming Great Performances and Franklin Theatre Live presented by Jackson shows include:

LOS ANGELES GUITAR QUARTET; April 8-9, 2022

As one of America’s premier instrumental ensembles, the members of the Grammy® Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet (LAGQ) have continually set the standard for expression and virtuosity among guitar ensembles. LAGQ is garnering critical acclaim for transcriptions of concert masterworks with their fresh look at the music of the past, while breaking new ground with their interpretations from contemporary and world music realms.

JESSE COOK; April 11, 2022

An accomplished guitarist, producer and equally prolific film maker, Jesse Cook has evolved his talents to create experiences that delight audiences both in concert, and online. He composed his first album, Tempest, over 25 years ago. Jesse could not imagine that such a humble recording, in which he played all the instruments, would spark into a music legacy with thousands of concerts performed around the world, over 2 million albums sold, 5 PBS TV specials, and tens of millions of content views and streams across the internet.

JAKE SHIMABUKURO; April 19, 2022

Over the past two decades, ‘ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro has proved that there isn’t a style of music that he can’t play. What’s remarkable about Jake’s transcendent skills is how he explores his seemingly limitless vocabulary – whether it’s jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk or even classical – on perhaps the unlikeliest of instruments. Jake has reinvented the applications for this tiny, underappreciated four-string instrument, causing many to call him “the Jimi Hendrix of the ‘ukulele.”

Currently announced FT Live presented by Jackson® performances include:

• The Quebe Sisters; April 24
• Rickie Lee Jones; May 3
• Five for Fighting with String Quartet; May 18
• Darrell Scott; June 3
• The Seldom Scene; June 10, 2022
• The Paul Thorn Band; June 24-25, 2022

Currently announced Great Performances presented by Jackson® shows include:

• Academy of St. Martin in The Fields Chamber Ensemble; October 21
• Julie Fowlis; October 23

Additional FT Live and Great Performances Series shows will be announced this year. For ticket information, visit www.franklintheatre.com or call 615-538-2076. For more information on Jackson, visit their website at www.jackson.com.

Experienced Leader to Oversee Nonprofit’s Operations 

The Franklin Theatre, a division of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, is pleased to announce the hiring of Eric Dilts as its new Managing Director. In the role, Dilts will be responsible for leading the nonprofit’s programmatic and operational business including spearheading community engagement and guest relations initiatives. 

Most recently, Dilts was the Executive Director of the Nashville Jazz Workshop, a venerable nonprofit music education institution with its own live jazz performance venue in North Nashville. During his tenure, he led the organization in all phases of its business, building on its reputation as a jazz presenter, music education institution, and community partner. 

Dilts has a long history in music business, finance, fundraising, and economic development. Having earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Business from the School of Music at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, he was the President/CEO of a Los Angeles-based, home entertainment company; the President of a Los Angeles-based, optical media tech company; a Co-Founder of a boutique production company; the Director of an Illinois-based business incubator; and an Advisor at Morgan Stanley. In addition, he has held executive board positions at various nonprofit organizations. 

“This is a very exciting day for the entire community, as Eric assumes leadership for the cherished and historic “Jewel of Main Street’,” commented Bari Beasley, President and CEO of the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County. “His adept management skills displayed at the Nashville Jazz Workshop – another stellar cultural arts nonprofit in middle Tennessee – will undoubtedly help further The Franklin Theatre’s mission of providing world-class performing arts experiences to diverse Williamson County residents and visitors.” 

“I am thrilled to be joining the team of The Franklin Theatre and the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County,” stated Dilts. “This opportunity to uphold the legacy of The Franklin Theatre and help usher it into the future is remarkable. It truly is a gem for the entire region, and I look forward to preserving this historic building, growing community relationships, and welcoming new and returning guests into our doors for powerful performing arts experiences.” 

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Jim Caruso’s Cast Party (with Billy Stritch at the piano) — an “extreme open mic” — will make a triumphant return to The Franklin Theatre on Tuesday, November 16 at 8pm.

In September of 2019, Caruso and Stritch packed the Franklin Theatre with a variety show that included Larry Gatlin, Linda Davis, Ty Herndon, Emily West, Cooper Alan, Victoria Shaw, Erin Kinsey, Beegie Adair, and many more.

Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is a wildly popular weekly open mic night that has been bringing a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night for the past eighteen years.  It’s a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show.  Showbiz superstars hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle.  In the past, Party-ers have been thrilled by impromptu performances by Liza Minnelli, Ariana Grande, Tony Bennett, Michael Feinstein, Natalie Cole, Donny Osmond, Carol Channing, Charlie Puth, Jeffrey Osborne, Larry Gatlin, and thousands more.  Cast Party is the ultimate spot to mix and mingle with talented show folk and their fans.  The buoyant, sharp and charming Caruso guides the entire affair like a bubbly cruise director, musical genius Billy Stritch (Liza Minnelli and Tony Bennett) holds court at the ivories, and the audience is invited to participate in the festivities!  Caruso and Stritch have taken the Party on the road, celebrating talent in London, San Francisco, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Austin, and on the high seas.  Cast Party was also part of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Songbook Series, celebrating the Golden Age of Hollywood with an all-star cast.

JIM CARUSO made his Broadway debut alongside Liza Minnelli in the Tony Award-winning Liza’s At The Palace!, singing, dancing and celebrating the music and arrangements of Kay Thompson and the Williams Brothers.  He has won six MAC Awards for his nightclub appearances, nine BroadwayWorld Awards, has performed with the New York Pops in a tribute to Kander & Ebb, with Rosemary Clooney celebrating Bing Crosby, and singing the songs of Hope & Crosby with Michael Feinstein, all at Carnegie Hall.   Jim was honored to sing with Barbara Cook, Lauren Bacall and a bevy of Broadway stars at President Clinton’s First State Dinner at the White House. For eighteen years, he has hosted the weekly showbiz bash “Jim Caruso’s Cast Party” at Birdland, Town Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center and across the country. Jim and pianist/singer Billy Stritch have enjoyed crooning during their weekly residency at The Carlyle Hotel for eight years.  During the pandemic, Jim hosted the virtual “Pajama Cast Party” for 72 consecutive weeks, celebrating some of the most dazzling musical stars from the Broadway, pop, and country scenes…all from the comfort of their homes!  Caruso’s two cds, “The Swing Set” and “Caruso Live and In Person” are available online.  Follow Jim on Instagram at @JimCaruso1.

BILLY STRITCH is one of the premier singer-pianists on the New York and national jazz and cabaret scenes. He began his career in Houston, Texas, where he formed the vocal trio Montgomery, Plant and Stritch. The trio performed all over New York and Europe from 1983 until they disbanded in 1990. A chance meeting with Liza Minnelli in March of 1991 resulted in her asking him to create vocal arrangements for the record-breaking extravaganza Liza Stepping Out at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to his 25-year collaboration with as accompanist and opening act for Liza, Billy recently toured with the legendary Tony Bennett as Tony’s pianist and musical director. A solo entertainer in his own right, he has performed his own shows (including tributes to Mel Tormé and Cy Coleman) in concert halls and nightclubs across the country. Billy also serves as music director for such leading vocalists as Marilyn Maye, Linda Lavin, Linda Eder, Christine Ebersole and Paulo Szot. He is the co-writer of the number one Grammy-winning song “Does He Love You” recorded by Reba McEntire and Linda Davis. Lightning struck twice for this song as a new version was released in 2021 by Reba and the legendary Dolly Parton. When he’s not on the road, he is the pianist for Jim Caruso’s Cast Party open mic night every Monday at New York’s legendary Birdland Jazz Club and he and Jim hold forth on Sunday nights at Bemelmans Bar in Manhattan’s fabled Carlyle Hotel. During Covid-19, he created his own weekly Facebook live-stream show “Billy’s Place”, celebrating the Great American Songbook with songs and stories from his varied career. He has recorded five solo CDs and his latest CD release “Billy’s Place” (Club44 Records) is a collection of his favorite songs from these online concerts. Follow Billy on Instagram @billystritch.

*Interested performers should email caruso212@aol.com for more information.

Crown jewel of Main Street in downtown Franklin reopened to much fanfare after massive renovation completed in 2011

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, the parent company of The Franklin Theatre, is excited to invite fans and supporters of the beloved Franklin Theatre to a night of celebration being held Saturday, August 7.  

Sponsored by Jackson National Life Insurance Company® (Jackson), the event will celebrate 10 years since the rehabilitation and reopening of the historic theater that has been a presence on Franklin’s Main Street since 1937. Through the power of dynamic sound and visuals produced by Matt Logan Productions and the premiere of the theater’s mini-documentary film produced by Stonecastle Pictures, attendees will be able to relive the last 84 years of the theater’s storied history combined with a glimpse of what’s to come for the future of the theater.

“If the pandemic gave us anything positive to take away, it gave us the time to focus on and plan for a truly dynamic event to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of The Franklin Theatre’s reopening,” said Heritage Foundation CEO Bari Beasley. “Thanks to our sponsor, Jackson, we’ve been able to create an amazing mini-documentary and have lined up an impressive night of entertainment to really celebrate what this theater means to all of us and to the city of Franklin.”

The Franklin Theatre opened its doors for the first time during the summer of 1937 when the marquee first illuminated Main Street. Moviegoers enjoyed fresh popcorn, afternoon matinees and walked away with a lifetime of memories.                                         

Over the next 70 years, the world changed a lot – but The Franklin Theatre stood as a testament to a simpler way of life. Time eventually took its toll on the venerable movie house, and the doors closed in 2007 under the pressing of rising rents and the trend toward mega-theaters.

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County couldn’t allow Main Street’s crown jewel to cease to shine, so the nonprofit preservation organization stepped in to buy and rehabilitate the historic landmark. After three years of work – and an investment of more than $8 million – the historic Franklin Theatre re-emerged better than ever.

To herald this milestone, The Franklin Theatre is presenting a 10^th Anniversary Celebration on August 7, 2021 which will serve as a key fundraiser for the theater in this year of post-pandemic recovery. The evening will begin with an outdoor reception on Main Street at 6 p.m. Theater doors open at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 7:30 p.m. with a performance created by Matt Logan Productions, featuring iconic song selections that reflect the theatre’s past, present and future.

Proceeds from the cocktail attire 10^th Anniversary Celebration go to support the ongoing mission of The Franklin Theatre, which is a nonprofit, community-focused theater destined to create lasting memories through the power of the arts.

Tickets for the celebration range from $150 – $500. For additional information about the event, click here or call the box office at 615-538-2076.

ABOUT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY 

Since 1967, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County has been dedicated to preserving Williamson County’s architectural, geographic and cultural heritage as well as promoting the ongoing revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. Notable projects include The Franklin Theatre, Roper’s Knob, parts of the Franklin battlefield and the Old, Old Jail. The Foundation brings county history to about 3,000 school children each year through the Heritage Classroom program as well as walking tours of downtown Franklin. Events and festivals produced by the Heritage Foundation such as Main Street Festival, the Heritage Ball, Pumpkinfest and Dickens of a Christmas bring hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors to downtown Franklin each year. The Heritage Foundation owns and operates The Franklin Theatre, the Downtown Franklin Association, and the organization’s newest division and current restoration project, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens. For more information about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.williamsonheritage.org. 

ABOUT THE FRANKLIN THEATRE

Following a complete restoration by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County in 2011, the historic Franklin Theatre (Est. 1937), re-opened its doors as a state-of-the-art live music venue featuring performances by world-renowned artists.  The theatre also honors its heritage by continuing to show movies. The Theatre’s mission is to provide world-class, diverse performing arts experiences to residents and visitors alike and to be a platform for local philanthropic engagement and education, all delivered with unparalleled guest service.

For more information about The Franklin Theatre, visit  www.franklintheatre.com.

ABOUT JACKSON

Jackson® is committed to helping clarify the complexity of retirement planning—for you and your clients. Our range of annuity products, financial know-how, history of award-winning service and streamlined experiences strive to reduce the confusion that complicates your clients’ plans. We believe by providing clarity for all today, we can help drive better outcomes for tomorrow. For more information on Jackson, visit www.jackson.com.

Jackson supports The Franklin Theatre as presenting sponsor as theater fully reopens

The Heritage Foundation of Williamson County, TN, and Jackson National Life Insurance Company (Jackson®) are excited to announce their partnership for 2021, which continues the 10-year tradition of support for the historic Franklin Theatre, a division of the Heritage Foundation.

Jackson initially partnered with The Franklin Theatre in 2011 when the theater reopened after the Heritage Foundation’s acquisition and renovation and has been its biggest corporate community supporter ever since.

“The Franklin Theatre exemplifies what so many of us love about historic downtown Franklin,” said Niya Moon, Corporate Philanthropy Manager at Jackson. “It’s a terrific community space to enjoy great performances and time together. We are thrilled to see the theater reopening and to help reinvigorate this historic venue with dynamic new programming, the FT Live concerts and some fun events which will be announced soon.”

The Franklin Theatre has been hosting limited capacity live shows, movies, and private rentals this year as part of a phased reopening plan. The theater has announced full capacity showings beginning in July with full programming in swing this summer.

“We are so excited to fill this beautiful theater with people again and that is something we simply could not do without the amazing support of our partners at Jackson,” said Heritage Foundation President and CEO Bari Beasley. “They have been an extraordinary partner for a decade, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them back with us in 2021 as we work to fully reopen and launch exciting new programming and events as we celebrate our beloved ‘crown jewel of Main Street’.”

The Franklin Theatre recently announced a week of “pay-what-you-can” movies through June 6 and many other live shows have been rescheduled. Check the website at www.franklintheatre.com for dates and additional information. For more information on Jackson®, visit their website at www.jackson.com.

ABOUT THE FRANKLIN THEATRE

Following a complete restoration by the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County in 2011, the historic Franklin Theatre (Est. 1937), re-opened its doors as a state-of-the-art live music venue featuring performances by world-renowned artists.  The theatre also honors its heritage by continuing to show movies. The Theatre’s mission is to provide world-class, diverse performing arts experiences to residents and visitors alike and to be a platform for local philanthropic engagement and education, all delivered with unparalleled guest service. For more information about The Franklin Theatre, visit  www.franklintheatre.com.

ABOUT THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY

Since 1967, the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County has been dedicated to preserving Williamson County’s architectural, geographic and cultural heritage as well as promoting the ongoing revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation. Notable projects include The Franklin Theatre, Roper’s Knob, parts of the Franklin battlefield and the Old, Old Jail. The Foundation brings county history to about 3,000 school children each year through the Heritage Classroom program as well as walking tours of downtown Franklin. Events and festivals produced by the Heritage Foundation such as Main Street Festival, the Heritage Ball, Pumpkinfest and Dickens of a Christmas bring hundreds of thousands of locals and visitors to downtown Franklin each year. The Heritage Foundation owns and operates The Franklin Theatre, the Downtown Franklin Association, and the organization’s newest division and current restoration project, Franklin Grove Estate & Gardens. For more information about the Heritage Foundation, visit www.williamsonheritage.org.

ABOUT JACKSON®

Jackson is a leading provider of retirement products for industry professionals and their clients. The company and its affiliates offer variable, fixed and fixed index annuities designed for tax-efficient growth and distribution of retirement income for retail customers, as well as products for institutional investors. Jackson is a proud founding member and co-chair of the Alliance for Lifetime Income, a nonprofit 501(c)(6) organization formed and supported by 24 of the nation’s financial services organizations to create awareness and educate Americans about the importance of protected lifetime income. The company prides itself on sound corporate risk management practices and strategic technology initiatives. Focused on thought leadership and education, Jackson provides industry insights and financial representative training on retirement planning and alternative investment strategies. The company is also dedicated to corporate philanthropy and supports nonprofits focused on strengthening families and creating economic opportunities in the communities where its employees live and work. For more information, visit www.jackson.com.