Sweet sixty

A true gentleman rings in another year amongst friends

Published On: July 29, 2010

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The party invitation said it all: “How does a Gentleman turn Sixty? With grace, aplomb, wit—and most definitely—Among Friends.” There certainly was no shortage of these qualities—including hundreds of friends—as Nashville’s favorite gentleman, John Bridges, celebrated his milestone birthday at the W.O. Smith Music School, raising money for Nashville CARES and The Brooks Fund in the process.

As author of the book How to Be A Gentleman and other volumes in the “Gentlemanners” series, John has offered etiquette tips to the aspiring gentleman for just about every occasion. Courtesy and good manners were certainly on display by all—men and women alike—at John’s fête, even as former Nashville Mayor Bill Purcell roasted John with dry, smart wit. After his good-natured ribbing, Mayor Purcell introduced songstress Mandy Barnett who led the crowd in “Happy Birthday” to John. Mandy then serenaded John with “Tennessee Waltz,” a hit in the year John was born.

Caterer Bacon & Caviar made sure that the suave revelers were well fed, serving delicious provisions as the partygoers greeted each other and wished the birthday gentleman well. Host Committee members Kay West, Scott Smith, Suzanne Bradford and Fletcher Foster, among others, mingled with partygoers, keeping spirits high. Stories of John’s good works and good times filled the festive air.

As any true gentleman would do, John eventually took to the W.O. Smith stage to thank the crowd for attending and for supporting the charity beneficiaries. John surveyed the room and in his impeccable, gracious manner stated: “I am really a very fortunate man—because ‘fortunate’ implies that I am rich in friends and in friendships…in this wonderful life that I get to live.” How truly fitting and yes, how truly gentlemanly. SK