The Palm hostess Rae Kreen is the first recipient of the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Sunshine Award. Rae, who has been working at The Palm in Nashville for more than 20 years, was praised for her accomplishment by Charlie Daniels –– a longtime friend and fan of Rae.

“I can’t think of anybody more suited to receive a Sunshine Award than Rae,” Charlie told Everything Nash. “Even her name is appropriate; though spelled differently, she truly is a Rae of sunshine.”

Rae was supposed to receive the award in April during the Nashville Comedy Festival, which unfortunately had to be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, Rae was recognized on Tuesday, June 16, during a Zoom call, where she was joined virtually by several notable Nashville residents, including Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen, talent agent Rod Essig, and many more. Rae was given the award in person at The Palm by T.J. Martell Foundation board member Ben Jumper. Rae’s daughter, Sherrié Austin, son-in-law Will Rambeaux and her husband, Alf Krenn, were also on hand to celebrate the honor.

“From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank the T.J. Martell Foundation and the man who made all of this happen, my dear friend Mike Smardak,” Rae said in a statement. “I’m deeply honored, humbled and forever grateful to receive an award for doing what I love and loving what I do.”

“Mike, who serves on the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Southern Region Board of Governors, also praised Rae for being the first recipient of the honor.

“There is nobody more deserving in this town to receive the Sunshine Award than Rae Krenn, who always puts a smile on your face,” Mike said.

The Palm is located at 140 5th Avenue South in Nashville. It is currently open for dine-in, take-out and delivery. Find more information by visiting the restaurant’s website.