Solie Fott was born in Chattanooga in 1929 and graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1945. In 1949, he received two degrees from the University of Chattanooga (before it became UTC), a BS in chemistry and a BM in Music. After one additional year of training he received his teaching certification and, in 1950 continued graduate work at George Peabody College for Teachers where he received a MA in music education in 1952 and a PhD in Music in 1958.
Fott was a member of the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra from 1943-1950 and performed with the Knoxville Symphony from 1948-1950. Except for two years of service in the U.S. Army, Fott performed with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra from 1950-1960.
In 1960, Fott began doing recording work in the Nashville area and, until 1980, did extensive recording and TV performance in the Nashville studios.
From 1956-1958, Fott taught beginning strings and band in the (former) Nashville Public Schools and conducted the East Junior High School Orchestra. In 1958, he came to Austin Peay State University as a member of the music faculty where remained until his retirement 42 years later in 2000. During that 42-year period, he was Chair of the music department for the last 22 years. While at Austin Peay, Fott was founding president of the faculty senate and founding chair of the University Assembly as well as holding other leadership positions in higher education.
During his career, he has been a guest conductor and clinician on many occasions and served as President of both the Tennessee Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (1967-68) and the Tennessee Music Education Association (1984-86). Currently, he serves as Vice-President of the Tennessee Arts Academy Board and on the Board of Directors of the Clarkesville Community Concert Association. He is an honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota and the Tennessee Bandmasters Association and served as a board member for the Tennessee Alliance for Arts Education. He currently holds membership in several professional music associations and stays very busy with various community activities in Clarksville.
Tennessee music teachers are fortunate to have Solie Fott as a leader in music education in Tennessee. His accomplishments go well beyond the standards set to receive the TMEA Hall of Fame award.