Tommy Cash Receives 'Colonel' Designation from State of Tennessee, Wins ROPE Award

Posted by Lisa L. Rollins Oct 20, 2009

Country artist Tommy Cash recently was recognized by the State of Tennessee with its Colonel Aide de Camp, an honorary commission in the state that has been awarded to individuals for meritorious service since 1943.

According to information from the governor’s office, only elected officials may request Colonel Aide de Camp certificates. In turn, the Arkansas-born hit-maker was nominated for the honor by Sen. Jim D. Tracy for his many contributions to and on behalf of the Volunteer State, especially his esteemed history of traveling worldwide to promote Tennessee through his musical talents, as well as his dedication to aiding the music industry through service.

In addition to touring more than 120 shows annually in both the United States and Europe, Cash is “known for (his) music and willingness to serve on boards to help promote the music industry,” according to the senator’s nomination, which lists Cash’s longtime membership and service to the Reunion of Professional Entertainers, also known as ROPE, where he currently serves on its board of directors.

Currently touring in support of his newly released Fade To Black CD on the InLight label, Cash was taken by surprise when he was presented with the Colonel certificate during the 22nd Annual Golden ROPE Banquet & Awards Show earlier this month, where he also was awarded with the ROPE organization’s 2009 Business Award.

"I am honored to have received the Business Award for the year from ROPE," shared Cash, who did time as Hank Williams Jr.'s guitarist early in his professional music career. "I was thrilled to be nominated, but winning was a great surprise!"

As for his honorary Colonel Aide de Camp recognition, "Making country music and supporting it comes naturally to me; there is no prize or trophy I needed for doing what I think I was born to do," he says. "However, I am humbled and most grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the Tennessee Colonel honor that was signed by our governor. I am so blessed to have such dear friends who would support me in this way."

About the honorary title of Colonel

The honorary title of Colonel is conferred by some states in the United States of America and certain units of the Canadian Forces. The origins of the titular colonelcy can be traced back to colonial and antebellum times when men of the landed gentry were given the title for financing the local militia without actual expectations of command.

Reportedly, the practice originated during the English Renaissance, when a colonelcy was purchased by a lord or prominent gentleman, but the actual command would fall to a lieutenant colonel, who would deputize for the proprietor.