Tandy C. Rice, Jr.
Class of 1961
Hometown: Nashville, Tn.
- A nationally known talent agent and music business entrepreneur, Rice served as President of the Country Music Association. He was instrumental in propelling and managing the careers of many well-known country stars, including Dolly Parton, Tom T. Hall, Porter Wagoner, Jim Ed /Brown, Jeannie C. Riley and comedian Jerry Clower. Rice was inducted into the North American Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006, and twice named "Agent of the Year" by the Nashville Association of Talent Directors. He was Owner of Top Billing, and President and CEO of Hot Hits, LLC.
- In addition to his talent management, Rice served as the longtime host of radio and TV shows in Nashville, and was profiled in numerous major publications, including People Magazine, The Washington Post, Playboy, Newsweek and the New York Times. Rice served as a judge at two Miss America Pageants, and was a nationally known keynote speaker at over 500 conventions across America. He also hosted 16 annual United Cerebral Palsy telethons raising millions of dollars for the non-profit organization.
- Upon graduation from The Citadel in 1961, Rice was commissioned as an officer in the United State Air Force serving two years as a Public Affairs Officer with the Strategic Air Command.