Pamela Lewis, a native of upstate New York, is a graduate of Wells College with a B.A. in Economics/Marketing and a minor in French and Communications. Lewis spent a year in Paris studying at Center of Overseas Undergraduate Program (COUP) affiliated with The Sorbonne University. In New York City, she worked at MS Magazine and did additional graduate course work at Fordham University, The New York School for Social Research, and The Publicity Club of New York. From 1980 to 1984, Lewis was part of the original publicity/marketing team that launched MTV to the world, and also worked with MTV’s sister cable channels Nickelodeon, The Movie Channel, and The Arts & Entertainment Network. In 1984, she left Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment Company (WASEC), a joint venture of Warner Communications and American Express, with the position of National Media Director.

RCA Records recruited Lewis while still in her early 20’s and relocated her from New York City to Nashville to help shape the careers of top country stars such as Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, The Judds, and Alabama. She left RCA, starting her own PR/marketing + artist development agency working with clients such as MCA Records, Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Patty Loveless, and the CMA. Lewis hired a team and started award-winning PLA Media in 1985.

In 1987, she formed Doyle/Lewis Management with partner Bob Doyle, while continuing to operate PLA Media. The first client Lewis agreed to represent was an unknown Oklahoma crooner named Garth Brooks. She managed him to superstardom and also co-managed the early successful career of Trisha Yearwood, securing her record deal at MCA and her first gold and platinum CDs.

Reinventing herself in 2003, Lewis made her first foray into the world of politics running for office of alderman-at-large in Franklin, Tennessee. She won a four-year term and was the only female on the board for two years and vice mayor for a year.

Lewis is a graduate of University of Tennessee’s Institute of Public Service Local Government Leadership Program (third level). She has also served on or chaired multiple committees as well as being appointed to both the Planning and Historic Zoning Commissions. She is a graduate of Belmont University’s College of Business Administration’s Scarlett Leadership Institute Mini Executive MBA program with additional graduate work at the Scarritt Bennett Center. She is an alumnus of Leadership Music and Leadership Middle Tennessee, and is a current member of the Country Music Association, Music City Concierge Association, SOURCE, Belmont Mansion Association, Hard Bargain Association, and the African American Historic Commission.

She was honored in 2023 by becoming a distinguished fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) during Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration year. Founded in 1768, The Royal Society of Arts fellows include Stephen Hawkins, Benjamin Franklin, Charles Dickens, Hellen Keller, and Margret Thatcher. Lewis is also a U.S. Ambassador for The Unity of Faiths Foundation (TUFF) as well as a member of the Churchill Society. In June of the same year, she was the guest keynote speaker with TUFF co-founder Dr. Shamender Talwar at the annual Professional Learning Conference held at MTSU.

Lewis’ charitable board work is extensive and has included The Tennessee State Museum, Tennessee First Lady Andrea Conte’s “You Have The Power,” BRIDGES Domestic Violence Center, Franklin’s Charge, Sister Cities of Franklin, Friend of Franklin Parks, Belmont Mansion, Nashville City Cemetery Board, Franklin’s Historic Battlefield Commission, the ARC Board, the Tennessee Preservation Trust, the mayor-appointed Franklin Housing Commission, and the Franklin Civil War Historical Commission.

Her other community outreach efforts include historic preservation and global green space causes, women and children’s advocacy, educational scholarships, fair housing and environmental, and animal rights protection. Her foundation has given away hundreds of thousands of dollars to numerous charities over the last 10 years. She has also authored the book, “A Tennessee Yankee.”

Preservationist / Historic Register property owner and music industry veteran Pam Lewis shares her life and the restoration journey when she rescued the Harrison House from development within the pages of her premiere book A Tennessee Yankee.

In a humorous, personal account, the first-time author presents a potpourri of memoirs: color and black and white photos, period and favorite recipes, historic accounts about the Civil War and specifically her adopted home as a Yankee in her beloved town of Franklin, Tennessee. Purchased in 1993, but built in 1826, it served as a spy headquarters, army field hospital in both 1862 and 1864, and most famously, was the command post for the renowned Confederate General, John Bell Hood.

“I wanted to tell my story of how buying an old house can change and enrich life by opening up unimagined doors and opportunities. There are countless books about the war, soldiers and military strategy by noted historians and well-respected academics. But, I wanted to show another aspect of the war, my modern day experiences and the stories of families, townspeople and slaves who were so pivotally effected, as well as the enduring impact of that time period,” Lewis reveals.

Calling the completion of the book, “getting out of my comfort zone” and part of “my bucket list,” she combed through countless letters, recipes, archives and a plethora of books. “It was important for me to complete this project before the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Franklin; and it was a joyful journey of discovery.”

Lewis, an active preservationist and fundraiser will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the book sales to various preservation causes.

“I hope my little account will perhaps amuse, inform and encourage an interest in history and preservation. I’ve realized that we’ve lost so much already. It’s crucial we conserve, preserve and interpret our historic and natural resources. Over the last twenty years living here, it’s clear to me that I am just passing through as steward and the Harrison House, and its story, will be here long after I am gone. This is the legacy. It isn’t just bricks and mortar; it represents a crucial chapter in our shared history. Moreover, the home has become a healing sanctuary and treasured old friend.”

The book is currently available for purchase at Amazon.com, and can also be found at the following locations:

Nashville, TN: PLA Media, The Belmont Mansion, The 5 and Tenn (inside The Omni Hotel)
Franklin, TN: The Carter House, Carnton Plantation, Landmark Books, Handy Hardware Store, The Lotz House

A signed copy of A Tennessee Yankee is available for $19.95 by calling PLA Media at (615) 327-0100. Bulk rates are also available.