(Update) Candlelight Ball canceled due to coronavirus spread concerns
(Update March 12, 2020)
Austin Peay State University has canceled its 36th Annual Candlelight Ball, scheduled for March 14 in Nashville, due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.
鈥淎lthough we had planned extra precaution for the safety of our guests, hosting the event is not prudent at this time,鈥 APSU President Alisa White said. 鈥淲e are proud of those we planned to honor at the Ball and will ask our honorees to allow us to honor them next year.鈥
Details for refunds will be communicated on the Candlelight Ball website at , social media and email.
Also today, University officials suspended classes until March 23, when instruction will be moved online. Read White's announcement here.
(Reported earlier)
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. 鈥 Charlie Daniels, the Country Music Hall of Famer known for "sawing on a fiddle and playing it hot," helped reinvigorate that 400-year-old instrument with his 1979 hit, 鈥淭he Devil Went Down to Georgia.鈥 More than 40 years later, his influence continues to transform the music genre, and attendees at Austin Peay State University's Candlelight Ball this spring will get a chance to own a piece of country music history when the school auctions off a signed Charlie Daniels fiddle.
"Charlie Daniels is considered country music royalty, and the Candlelight Ball Committee is thrilled he contributed this amazing prize to help us raise money for Austin Peay scholarships," Nikki Loos Peterson, director of APSU alumni relations, said.
The signed fiddle is actually part of a special Charlie Daniels Band Prize Package, which also includes two dinners at the Palm Restaurant in Nashville, two tickets to a Charlie Daniels Band performance at the Grand Ole Opry, and two backstage passes to watch the show and meet the band.
This year鈥檚 auction will take place on March 14, during the 36th Annual Candlelight Ball at the Omni Nashville Hotel, with proceeds benefiting the Candlelight Ball Endowed Scholarship. The auction鈥檚 signature items include pearl earrings and a pearl necklace custom designed by Elliott Herzlich, husband of APSU President Alisa White and owner of Elliott's Jewelers. The earrings feature two Akoya pearls, two oval-shaped morganite stones and a halo of 30 diamonds set in 14-karat rose gold. The necklace includes a large Akoya pearl, an oval-shaped morganite gemstone and a halo of 17 diamonds set in 14-karat rose gold. It also includes an 18-inch, 14-karat rose gold chain.
鈥淓very year, our Candlelight Ball Committee, with the help of APSU friends, alumni and staff, finds incredible prizes for the auction, and I'm happy at the high-level items they acquired this year, because they'll help us provide more scholarships to deserving Austin Peay students," Peterson said.
This year's auction items also include:
- An APSU football and STEM package. This package includes an aerial tour of Clarksville for two people in GOV 3, a helicopter from Austin Peay鈥檚 rotor-wing program. After the tour, the helicopter will land on the Austin Peay campus so the two passengers can attend an APSU football game in the Suite Level of Fortera Stadium. The package also includes an autographed football by Coach Mark Hudspeth, an APSU-themed gift basket and two tickets to the Austin Peay football game at the University of Cincinnati.
- An APSU basketball and Candlelight Ball package: This package includes game tickets behind the bench during an APSU game at Belmont, along with an autographed basketball. The winning bidder will also receive dinner for two, an APSU-themed gift basket, four complimentary tickets to the 2021 Candlelight Ball and a one-of-a-kind APSU men's blazer. As an added bonus, the winner will also receive a signed Lee Brice guitar, courtesy of Curb Records.
- Louis Robichaux wine package. This package, valued at more than $2,200, includes three bottles of 2014 Dana Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon in original 3-bottle wood case, one bottle of 2011 Bryant Napa Valley Sauvignon and one bottle of 2011 Bryant Bettina proprietary red blend.
- The Music City Package. The winner of this package will receive two club-level tickets to the 54th Annual Country Music Awards, which will be broadcast live on ABC from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. The package also includes two complimentary dinner meals at the Omni Hotel the night of the awards show and a complimentary room at the Renaissance Hotel, along with breakfast for two. In addition to the CMA experience, the prize includes an Austin Peay branded guitar, designed by Michael Gauf of Painted Axe, and a signed Lee Brice guitar, courtesy of Curb Records.
This year鈥檚 Candlelight Ball is co-chaired by Kathryn Minniehan and Kayla Morgan, and the event鈥檚 presenting sponsors include F&M Bank, Reliant Bank/First Advantage Bank, Century 21 Platinum Properties (Kayla Goad-LeVan, Marcia Campbell and Jimmy Terry Jr.), the APSU College of Business, Planters Bank, Fortera Credit Union, Kennedy Law Firm, Spring Creek Pediatric Dentistry, Quirion Realty and Allstate Insurance.
To purchase tickets, visit . For auction information, call 931-221-7291 or email petersonn@apsu.edu.
News Feed
View All News
The Department of Health and Human Performance will host its inaugural Health and Performance Summit on Saturday, Oct. 17, in the Health Professions Building, bringing together nationally recognized leaders in strength and conditioning, sports science, healthcare, and tactical performance.
Read More
Shirley Conner, assistant director of Austin Peay State University's Veterans Upward Bound program, has guided hundreds of military-affiliated students into higher education through federally funded support services including admissions assistance, financial aid guidance, and career counseling.
Read More
The Austin Peay State University Board of Trustees has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing Billy Atkins, Dr. Michelle D. Smith, and Dr. Jeannie Beauchamp for their contributions to the university and community.
Read More