NFocus: Behind the Scenes With Bill Forrester
The party coordinator and private investigator opens the door on how he got his start, his favorite celebrity sightings and his greatest influences
AUTHORS Holly Hoffman | PHOTOGRAPHERS Daniel Meigs
“Are you behavin’?” is the phrase often asked when Bill Forrester greets you at the door of any fundraiser, private party or wedding. It’s also the question that lets you know the evening will be perfect. For decades, Bill has been indispensable in coordinating an untold number of family celebrations and charitable events. From age 17, he learned from the best, Sam Henderson, who was an icon among Nashville’s legendary hosts and hostesses. Now, Bill is a legend in his own right.
During the pandemic, Bill has been surrounded by the women he loves: his wife of 43 years, Irene, his daughter, Peaches, and his granddaughters, Billie and Breah. When they’re not trying recipes for their new plant-based diet, he is checking on his multitude of friends and still putting in time at his other career as a private investigator.
“P.I. work is probably the most enjoyable and rewarding thing I have ever done,” Bill says. That career led to him cofounding the Cumberland River Compact in 1997. In addition to serving on its board, he’s also served on the boards of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Park Center and St. Luke’s Community House, among others.
He’s also very involved in Holy Trinity Church, where he has attended his entire life and is currently treasurer. It means so much to him that he planned to request contributions to his church in lieu of presents for his 70th birthday party, which unfortunately, wasn’t held due to COVID-19.
As the man who has seen all sides of the city, Bill has plenty of tales to tell. He’s talked to Bill Clinton on the telephone (thinking it was a prank) and hung out in the kitchen with Barbara Bush. He asked his trademark question to us before talking about his favorite events, celebrities he’s met and what’s left on his bucket list.
THE BASICS
Name: William M.T. Forrester Sr.
Profession/Title: Party coordinator/semi-retired private investigator
Hometown: Nashville
Zip Code: 37206
Years in Nashville: 1950-1968, 1981-present, with visits in between
Age first worked at a party: 17
If you wrote a book about Nashville, what would the title be? The Ultimate View of Nashville, Tennessee
Who got you started in the party business? Sam Henderson was instrumental in getting me involved when I was almost 18, in 1968. Sam was an icon. If people called him into their homes, they didn’t have to worry about anything going wrong. He knew how to cover the bases, and that’s what he taught us. Also, Joe Lee taught me to bring a strong staff — that the people you’re surrounded with work together as a team. They were both team players. Sam wouldn’t ask you to do anything more than he would do himself.
What event have you missed most this year? I have a lot of favorite events, and they’re all fundraisers: Chukkers for Charity, Harpeth Conservancy River Swing, Once in a Blue Moon (Land Trust for Tennessee) and Cumberland River Compact events. I didn’t miss this one, because we had it: How About Dinner and a Movie (Park Center).
