The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award, founded in the in name of music industry pioneer and veteran Cecil Scaife, is given annually to an individual whose life and work have made it possible for future generations to realize careers in the music industry.
In the 1970s, it was Cecil Scaife’s vision to create a music business program for musicians, artists, songwriters, and future music business executives to formally learn the industry he loved so dearly. That vision grew to become the world-renowned Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business. Each year, the award is presented at a must- attend event, the proceeds from which benefit the Cecil Scaife Music Business Scholarship Endowment for students in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University. We chatted with this year’s event chair, Pamela Davis Needham, to find out what she loves most about giving back in Music City.
Nashville Lifestyles: What made you want to chair this event?
Pamela Davis Needham: I consider it an honor to co-chair the Visionary Award event. The founder asked me to be on the planning committee for the inaugural event almost 16 years ago, and we have co-chaired all the subsequent events. We have an enduring friendship, easy collaborative spirit, and complementary skills that make co-chairing the event a rewarding pleasure. For me, the Visionary Award is a near perfect way to honor the past and support the future. I love the unique history of our music industry and have been blessed to meet and know many of the legends that created the music legacy Nashville is known for the world over. The award honors the careers and legacies of our legends that helped create the industry and helps future generation realize their dreams in the music industry we all love.
NL: What amount has this event raised over the years and how are those funds used?
PDM: The scholarship endowment has grown well into the six figures as monies are raised each year to build on the initial corpus. Mike Curb, the first Visionary Award recipient, wisely advised the planning committee and scholarship founder to make the scholarship an endowment, so the monies donated each year continue to grow and fund scholarships in perpetuity. Each year the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business recommends scholarship applicants to the standing committee of the endowment, which in turn interviews and selects students to receive scholarships for that academic year. It has been exciting to meet these future music industry leaders.
NL: What inspires you to use your time, talents, and treasure as a volunteer?
PDM: Non-profits empower individuals to make a difference by adding their concerns, passions, talents, and resources to those of others toward the realization of shared goals. The overall power of a collaborative collective is hard to match. I have been involved on the volunteer and consulting level for much of my life. Both roles are rewarding beyond measure.