| WHITTLE: MTSU alumnus directs music's biggest night |
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By: DAN WHITTLE, Post Columnist
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Posted: Sunday, February 12, 2012 5:49 am
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In this photo, Garry Hood directs the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Tonight, Hood will be directing the Grammys. (Photo Submitted)
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Murfreesboro’s strongest connection to the Grammy Awards began 25 years ago, when MTSU graduate Garry Good became “stage manager” of the world-wide telecast event.
“If the math I learned back at Hobgood School, Central High School and MTSU is accurate, I’ve been stage manager/producer for the Grammy Awards now for 25 consecutive years,” noted Hood in an interview given last Sunday during a break between multiple planning meetings leading up to one of entertainment’s most extravagant and prestigious productions.
“Right now, in the last days leading up to Sunday night’s Grammy’s gala, we’re working 16-to-18-hour days,” Garry accounted.
With the Grammy’s long-term commitment, he missed Friday night’s scheduled “roast” of his father, former state Rep. John Hood, back in hometown Murfreesboro at the fifth annual City School Foundation’s Excellence in Education Gala, billed appropriately as “a Hollywood-style roast” at Stones River Country Club.
“I’m very proud of my hard-working parents (John and Marilyn Stockard Hood) and yes, I hate to miss Friday night’s roast that promises to be a great gala-event in its own right,” noted 57-year-old Garry Hood, 1977 graduate of MTSU. “My twins, teenagers Grady and Cooper, will be there to see Father being poked fun at in my great hometown where education is a priority.”
Siblings Mark Hood (a Murfreesboro banker) and sister Rebecca (Hood) Hagen (of Franklin) will be at the event honoring John Hood.
Garry’s ascent to one of the world’s most sought-after stage production managers began with his training at MTSU, that helped prepare him to land a job with Nashville’s “Hee Haw” production, which sky-rocketed into network television’s highest ratings’ stratosphere back in the 1970s.
While at MTSU, Garry served as basketball manager and taped video of scrimmages, plus performed volunteer production work for Nashville Public Television.
“I was a modest ‘cue card’ holder, starting with Hee Haw back in 1977, shortly after my graduation from MTSU,” Garry accounted. “That’s the door that opened for me, but none of it would have happened if not for the great education opportunities I had back in my hometown…,” Garry confirmed. “And the strong work ethic I learned from my parents has paid huge dividends.”
Garry ascended quickly at Hee Haw, from “cue cards” to stage manager, a job he held in Nashville for10 years.
John Hood, a retired radio personality and public relations professional, plus being former state representative in Tennessee, is equally proud of their son.
“Proud parents, you bet!! We’ve admired Garry’s work over the years, many times first hand, the Academy Awards in 2001, and the Kennedy Center honors for the past 15 years,” the Murfreesboro iconic parent noted. “We’re sorry Garry can’t be with us Friday for the roast to help fund education programs in Murfreesboro City Schools.”
And all Hood family eyes and hearts will be focused on the Grammy Awards to be televised this Sunday night.
“We’re proud of all our children, including Garry, a great father and real professional who takes great pride in his work and is widely-respected by entertainment professionals around the world,” John added.
Garry’s accomplishments include 20-plus years stage producing the Academy Awards, the Grammy Awards, the Emmy Awards, CMA Awards, plus opening and closing ceremonies at the Olympics, and multiple national presidential conventions.
He’s on a first name basis with multiple U.S. Presidents and elite performers throughout Nashville, the U.S. and Europe. |
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