Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.2

                                    AGREEMENT

      THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of May 1, 2004 (the "Effective Date") is by and
between GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, a Delaware corporation having its
corporate headquarters at One Gaylord Drive, Nashville, Tennessee 37214
(together with all subsidiaries and other affiliates referred to as "the
Company") and MICHAEL D. ROSE ("Rose").

      WHEREAS, the Company desires to enter into an agreement regarding Rose's
service as Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors, and Rose desires to
serve as Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors and enter into such an
agreement;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as
follows:

      1.    TERM; REPRESENTATION.

            (a)   Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on the
      Effective Date and shall continue for a period of five (5) years (the
      "Term").

            (b)   Representation. Rose hereby represents to the Company that the
      execution and delivery of this Agreement and the performance by Rose of
      his duties hereunder shall not constitute a breach of, or otherwise
      contravene, the terms of any agreement or policy to which Rose is a party
      or otherwise bound.

      2.    POSITION; RESPONSIBILITIES. During the Term, and subject to
approvals required by the Delaware Business Corporation Act and the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaws, Rose shall serve as a member
of the Board of Directors of the Company and, until the May 2005 Annual Meeting
of the Shareholders of the Company, shall perform the duties of the Chairman of
the Board as described by the Company's Restated Bylaws, as amended from time to
time, and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
After the May 2005 Annual Meeting (during the last four years of the Term) and
subject to approvals required by the Delaware Business Corporation Act and the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Restated Bylaws, Rose shall perform
the duties of the Chairman of the Executive Committee as described in the
Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, as amended from time to time, and
such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.

      3.    REMUNERATION. During the first year of the Term (May 1, 2004 through
April 30, 2005), the Company shall pay Rose $350,000 per year (the "Base
Remuneration") for his services as Chairman of the Board. During the second year
of the Term (May 1, 2005 through April 30, 2006), the Company shall pay Rose
Base Remuneration of $250,000 per year for his services as Chairman of the
Executive Committee. During the last three years of the Term, the Company shall
pay Rose a salary equal to the other Directors who hold Board committee chair
positions (other than the Audit Committee Chair). Such payments shall be in lieu
of any other fees or other compensation payable to other directors of the
Company.

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      4.    ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. Rose shall be entitled to the following:

            (a)   Vehicle Allowance. During the Term, Rose shall be entitled to
      receive from the Company a vehicle allowance of $1,050 per month, subject
      to future increases as may be granted to senior executives.

            (b)   Use of Company Aircraft. During the Term and subject to
      availability, the Company shall make available a corporate aircraft to
      Rose for travel. In addition, the Company shall reimburse Rose for Rose's
      use of his personal aircraft in connection with the performance of his
      duties for the Company. To the extent Rose is required to travel on a
      commercial airline in connection with the performance of his duties for
      the Company, Rose shall be entitled to travel on a first-class basis.

            (c)   Attorney's Fees. Rose shall be entitled to reimbursement for
      reasonable attorney's fees incurred by Rose in the review and negotiation
      of this Agreement, upon submission of documentation evidencing such
      expenses.

            (d)   Benefit Plans. Rose shall be entitled to participate in all
      Company benefit plans, programs and arrangements of the Company for which
      other senior members of management are eligible.

      5.    BUSINESS EXPENSES. During the Term, the Company shall reimburse
Rose, in accordance with the Company's policies and procedures, for all
reasonable expenses incurred by Rose in connection with the performance of his
duties for the Company.

      6.    ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND OFFICE SPACE. During the Term, the
Company shall continue to provide Rose with his existing level of support staff.
In addition, during the Term, the Company shall reimburse Rose up to a maximum
of $15,000 per year for his expenses in obtaining office space, upon submission
of documentation evidencing such expenses.

      7.    FINANCIAL COUNSELING. The Company shall reimburse Rose up to a
maximum of $15,000 per year for his expenses in obtaining financial counseling,
upon submission of documentation evidencing such expenses.

      8.    TERMINATION. Rose's service may be terminated prior to the end of
the Term as follows:

            (a)   Termination by Death. Upon the death of Rose ("Death"), Rose's
      service shall automatically terminate as of the date of Death.

            (b)   Termination by Company for Permanent Disability. At the option
      of the Board of Directors, Rose's service may be terminated by written
      notice to Rose or his personal representative in the event of the
      Permanent Disability of Rose. As used herein, the term "Permanent
      Disability" shall mean a physical or mental incapacity or disability which
      renders Rose unable substantially to render the services contemplated
      hereunder for a period of ninety (90) consecutive days or one hundred
      eighty (180) days during any twelve (12) month period as determined in
      good faith by the Board of Directors.

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            (c)   By the Board of Directors With Cause. Rose's termination by
      the Board of Directors shall be considered "With Cause" upon the
      occurrence of any one or more of the following events (each, a "Cause"):

                  (i)   any action by Rose constituting material fraud, material
            self-dealing, material dishonesty or embezzlement in the course of
            his service hereunder; or

                  (ii)  any conviction of Rose of a crime involving moral
            turpitude.

            (d)   By the Board of Directors Without Cause. In the event that
      Rose's service is terminated by the Board for any reason other than a
      Cause, such termination shall be "Without Cause."

            (e)   By Rose for Good Reason. At the option of Rose, Rose may
      terminate his service by written notice to the Company given within a
      reasonable time after the occurrence of a material breach by the Company
      of any of its obligations under this Agreement and the failure by the
      Company to cure such breach within thirty (30) days of such notice ("Good
      Reason").

            (f)   Expiration of the Term. The expiration of the Term shall not
      for any purpose be deemed a termination under Section 8(c), (d) or (e)
      hereinabove.

      9.    EFFECT OF TERMINATION; TREATMENT OF STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED
STOCK GRANTS UPON EXPIRATION OF TERM.

            (a)   Effect of Termination by Death. Upon the termination of Rose's
      service because of Death, Rose's estate shall be entitled to receive an
      amount equal to the accrued but unpaid Base Remuneration through the date
      of termination as well as any unreimbursed reasonable business expenses
      incurred by Rose through the date of termination. In addition, all
      restrictions shall be removed from the restricted stock grant shares and
      the vesting and exercise of Rose's stock options shall be governed by the
      Company's 1997 Stock and Incentive Omnibus Plan, as amended (the "Omnibus
      Plan").

            (b)   Effect of Termination for Permanent Disability. Upon the
      termination of Rose's service because of Permanent Disability, Rose shall
      be entitled to receive his Base Remuneration until he becomes eligible for
      long term disability benefits as well as any unreimbursed reasonable
      business expenses incurred by Rose through the date of termination. Rose
      shall be entitled to the restricted stock grant shares that are free from
      restrictions as of the date of termination, and the vesting and exercise
      of Rose's stock options shall be governed by the Omnibus Plan. Rose shall
      be entitled to continue to receive group medical insurance benefits from
      the date of termination until the time he is eligible to receive long term
      disability benefits.

            (c)   Effect of Termination by the Company With Cause or by Rose
      Without Good Reason. Upon the termination of Rose's service With Cause or
      by Rose for any reason other than Good Reason, Rose shall be entitled to
      receive an amount equal to the accrued but unpaid Base Remuneration
      through the date of termination as well as any unreimbursed reasonable
      business expenses incurred by Rose through the date of termination. Rose
      shall be entitled only to the restricted stock grant shares that are free
      from restrictions as of the

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      date of termination. All stock options, to the extent not theretofore
      exercised, shall terminate on the 90th day following the date of
      termination of Rose's service by the Company With Cause or by Rose without
      Good Reason.

            (d)   Effect of Termination by the Company Without Cause or by Rose
      for Good Reason. Upon the termination of Rose's service Without Cause or
      by Rose for Good Reason, Rose shall be entitled to receive an amount equal
      to: (i) the remainder, if any, of Rose's Base Remuneration through April
      30, 2006; (ii) the remainder of other payments under Section 3 of this
      Agreement equal to payments to the other directors who hold Board chairs
      (other than Audit) for the period May 1, 2006 through April 30, 2009;
      (iii) continued reimbursement of expenses and benefits under Sections 4, 6
      and 7 of this Agreement (excluding the use of the Gaylord airplane under
      Section 4(b)), including without limitation the right to continued medical
      insurance and company physicals through April 30, 2009; (iv) the portion
      of Rose's restricted stock grants that are free from restrictions as of
      the date of termination and the acceleration and immediate release of all
      restrictions from any remaining shares of the restricted stock that are
      subject to restrictions as of the date of termination, and (v) the vested
      portion of Rose's stock options, and the acceleration and immediate
      vesting of any other unvested stock options. Rose shall have two (2) years
      from the date of such termination Without Cause or by Rose for Good Reason
      to exercise all vested stock options. All amounts due under sub-sections
      9(d)(i)-(iii) above shall be paid as due on a monthly basis, and expenses
      shall be reimbursed promptly following submission.

            (e)   Expiration of Term. Unless Rose's service is terminated prior
      to the end of the Term, upon expiration of the Term, Rose's stock options
      and restricted stock grant shares, shall be treated as follows:

                  (i)   If Rose continues to serve the Company in any capacity
            following the expiration of the Term, all unvested stock options
            shall continue to vest and the restrictions shall continue to be
            removed from the restricted stock grant shares as provided in this
            Agreement and as pursuant to the Omnibus Plan.

                  (ii)  If Rose ceases to serve the Company in any capacity at
            any time following expiration of the Term, then, at the time Rose
            ceases to serve, all unvested stock options shall immediately vest
            and all restrictions shall be removed from the restricted stock
            grant shares. In such event, Rose shall be entitled to exercise the
            stock options at any time prior to the expiration date of the stock
            option term notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Omnibus
            Plan or in this Agreement.

      10.   CHANGE OF CONTROL.

            (a)   Definition. A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have
      taken place if:

                  (i)   any person or entity, including a "group" as defined in
            Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, other than
            the Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, or any employee
            benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, hereafter
            becomes the beneficial owner of Company securities having 35% or
            more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding securities
            of the Company that may be cast for the election of directors of the
            Company (other than as

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            a result of the issuance of securities initiated by the Company in
            the ordinary course of business);

                  (ii)  individuals who, as of the date of this Agreement, were
            members of the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
            constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided
            that any individual who becomes a director after such date whose
            election or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders
            was approved by two-thirds of the members of the Incumbent Board
            (other than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial
            assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened
            "election contest" relating to the election of the directors of the
            Company (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under the Securities
            Exchange Act of 1934), "tender offer" (as such term is used in
            Section 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) or a proposed
            transaction described in clause (iii) below) shall be deemed to be
            members of the Incumbent Board;

                  (iii) as the result of, or in connection with, any cash tender
            or exchange offer, merger or other business combination, sale of
            assets or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing
            transactions, the holders of all the Company's securities entitled
            to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company
            immediately prior to such transaction constitute, following such
            transaction, less than a majority of the combined voting power of
            the then-outstanding securities of the Company or any successor
            corporation or entity entitled to vote generally in the election of
            the directors of the Company or such other corporation or entity
            after such transactions; or

                  (iv)  the Company sells all or substantially all of the assets
            of the Company.

            (b)   Effect of Change of Control.

                  (i)   Change of Control Occurring Prior to April 30, 2006. In
            the event that within one year following a Change of Control (such
            Change of Control occurring prior to April 30, 2006) the Board of
            Directors terminates Rose's service under this Agreement Without
            Cause, or Rose terminates his service under this Agreement for Good
            Reason, Rose shall be entitled (in lieu of the compensation and
            benefits provided pursuant to 9(d)) to the payment of three (3)
            times Rose's Base Remuneration for the year in which the Change of
            Control shall occur. In addition, upon such termination, all
            unvested stock options shall vest and all restrictions shall be
            removed from the restricted stock grant shares. Rose shall have two
            (2) years from the date of such termination to exercise all vested
            stock options.

                  (ii)  Change of Control Occurring After April 30, 2006. In the
            event that within one year following a Change of Control (such
            Change of Control occurring after April 30, 2006) the Board of
            Directors terminates Rose's service under this Agreement Without
            Cause, or Rose terminates his service under this Agreement for Good
            Reason, Rose shall be entitled (in lieu of the compensation and
            benefits provided pursuant to 9(d)) to a lump sum payment equal to
            the sum of (i) the remainder of the salary payments under Section 3
            of this Agreement for the period May 1, 2006 through April 30, 2009;
            and (ii) the value of the benefits under Sections

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            4, 6 and 7 of this Agreement (excluding the use of the Gaylord
            airplane as provided in Section 4(b)), including without limitation
            the value of the right to continued medical insurance and annual
            company physicals through April 30, 2009. In addition, upon such
            termination, all unvested stock options shall vest and all
            restrictions shall be removed from the restricted stock grant
            shares. Rose shall have two (2) years from the date of such
            termination to exercise all vested stock options.

      11.   COVENANTS.

            (a)   General. Rose and the Company understand and agree that the
      purpose of the provisions of this Section 11 is to protect legitimate
      business interests of the Company, as more fully described below, and is
      not intended to impair or infringe upon Rose's right to work, earn a
      living, or acquire and possess property from the fruits of his labor. Rose
      hereby acknowledges that the post-employment restrictions set forth in
      this Section 11 are reasonable and that they do not, and will not, unduly
      impair his ability to earn a living after the termination of his
      employment with the Company. Therefore, subject to the limitations of
      reasonableness imposed by law upon restrictions set forth herein, Rose
      shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 11.

            (b)   Definitions. The following capitalized terms used in this
      Section 11 shall have the meanings assigned to them below, which
      definitions shall apply to both the singular and the plural forms of such
      terms: "Confidential Information" means any confidential or proprietary
      information possessed by the Company without limitation, any confidential
      "know-how," customer lists, details of client and consultant contracts,
      current and anticipated customer requirements, pricing policies, price
      lists, market studies, business plans, operational methods, marketing
      plans or strategies, product development techniques or plans, computer
      software programs (including object code and source code), data and
      documentation, data base technologies, systems, structures and
      architectures, inventions and ideas, past, current and planned research
      and development, compilations, devices, methods, techniques, processes,
      financial information and data, business acquisition plans, new personnel
      acquisition plans and any other information that would constitute a trade
      secret under the common law or statutory law of the State of Tennessee.

                  "Person" means any individual or any corporation, partnership,
            joint venture, association or other entity or enterprise.

                  "Protected Employees" means employees of the Company or its
            affiliated companies who are employed by the Company or its
            affiliated companies at any time within six (6) months prior to the
            date of termination of Rose for any reason whatsoever or any earlier
            date (during the Restricted Period) of an alleged breach of the
            Restrictive Covenants by Rose.

                  "Restricted Period" means the period of Rose's employment by
            the Company plus a period extending two (2) years from the date of
            termination of employment; provided, however, the Restricted Period
            shall be extended for a period equal to the time during which Rose
            is in breach of his obligations to the Company under this Section
            11.

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                  "Restrictive Covenants" means the restrictive covenants
            contained in Section 11(c) hereof:

            (c)   Restrictive Covenants.

                  (i)   Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Confidential
            Information. Rose understands and agrees that the Confidential
            Information constitutes a valuable asset of the Company and its
            affiliated entities, and may not be converted to Rose's own use or
            converted by Rose for the use of any other Person. Accordingly, Rose
            hereby agrees that Rose shall not, directly or indirectly, at any
            time during the Restricted Period or thereafter, reveal, divulge or
            disclose to any Person not expressly authorized by the Company any
            Confidential Information, and Rose shall not, at any time during the
            Restricted Period or thereafter, directly or indirectly, use or make
            use of any Confidential Information in connection with any business
            activity other than that of the Company. The parties acknowledge and
            agree that this Agreement is not intended to, and does not, alter
            either the Company's rights or Rose's obligations under any state or
            federal statutory or common law regarding trade secrets and unfair
            trade practices,

                  (ii)  Non-solicitation of Protected Employees. Rose
            understands and agrees that the relationship between the Company and
            each of its Protected Employees constitutes a valuable asset of the
            Company and may not be converted to Rose's own use or converted by
            Rose for the use of any other Person. Accordingly, Rose hereby
            agrees that during the Restricted Period Rose shall not directly or
            indirectly on Rose's own behalf or on behalf of any Person solicit
            any Protected Employee to terminate his or her employment with the
            Company.

                  (iii) Non-interference with Company Opportunities. Rose
            understands and agrees that all business opportunities with which he
            is involved during his employment with the Company constitute
            valuable assets of the Company and its affiliated entities, and may
            not be converted to Rose's own use or converted by Rose for the use
            of any other Person. Accordingly, Rose hereby agrees that during the
            Restricted Period or thereafter, Rose shall not directly or
            indirectly on Rose's own behalf or on behalf of any Person,
            interfere with, solicit, pursue, or in any way make use of any such
            business opportunities.

            (d)   Exceptions from Disclosure Restrictions. Anything herein to
      the contrary notwithstanding, Rose shall not be restricted from disclosing
      or using Confidential Information that: (i) is or becomes generally
      available to the public other than as a result of an unauthorized
      disclosure by Rose or his agent; (ii) becomes available to Rose in a
      manner that is not in contravention of applicable law from a source (other
      than the Company or its affiliated entities or one of its or their
      officers, employees, agents or representatives) that is not known by Rose,
      after reasonable investigation, to be bound by a confidential relationship
      with the Company or its affiliated entities or by a confidentiality or
      other similar agreement; or (iii) is required to be disclosed by law,
      court order or other legal process; provided, however, that in the event
      disclosure is required by law, court order or legal process, Rose shall
      provide the Company with prompt notice of such requirement so that the
      Company may seek an appropriate protective order prior to any such
      required disclosure by Rose.

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            (e)   Enforcement of the Restrictive Covenants.

                  (i)   Rights and Remedies upon Breach. In the event Rose
            breaches, or threatens to commit a breach of, any of the provisions
            of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company shall have the right and
            remedy to enjoin, preliminarily and permanently, Rose from violating
            or threatening to violate the Restrictive Covenants and to have the
            Restrictive Covenants specifically enforced by any court of
            competent jurisdiction, it being agreed that any breach or
            threatened breach of the Restrictive Covenants would cause
            irreparable injury to the Company and that money damages would not
            provide an adequate remedy to the Company. The rights referred to
            herein shall be independent of any others and severally enforceable,
            and shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights
            and remedies available to the Company at law or in equity.

                  (ii)  Severability of Covenant. Rose acknowledges and agrees
            that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable and valid in all
            respects. If any court determines that any Restrictive Covenants, or
            any part thereof, is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of the
            Restrictive Covenants shall not thereby be affected and shall be
            given full effect, without regard to the invalid portions.

      12.   COOPERATION IN FUTURE MATTERS. Rose hereby agrees that, for a period
of three (3) years following the date of the termination of his service under
this Agreement, he shall cooperate with the Company's reasonable requests
relating to matters that pertain to Rose's service as Chairman of the Board of
the Company, including, without limitation, providing information of limited
consultation as to such matters, participating in legal proceedings,
investigations or audits on behalf of the Company, or otherwise making himself
reasonably available to the Company for other related purposes. Any such
cooperation shall be performed at times scheduled taking into consideration
Rose's other commitments, and Rose shall be compensated at a per diem rate of
$2,000 to the extent such cooperation is required on more than an occasional and
limited basis. Rose shall also be reimbursed for all reasonable out of pocket
expenses. Rose shall not be required to perform such cooperation to the extent
it conflicts with any requirements of exclusivity of service for any other
entity, nor in any manner that in the good faith belief of Rose would conflict
with his rights under or ability to enforce this Agreement.

      13.   INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall indemnify Rose and hold him
harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, claims, damages,
obligations or liabilities (including actual attorneys fees and expenses)
arising out of any acts or failures to act by the Company, its directors,
employees or agents that occurred prior to the Effective Date, or arising out of
or relating to any acts, or omissions to act, made by Rose on behalf of or in
the course of performing services for the Company to the fullest extent
permitted by the Restated Bylaws of the Company, or, if greater, as permitted by
applicable law, as the same shall be in effect from time to time. If any claim,
action, suit or proceeding is brought, or any claim relating thereto is made,
against Rose with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company
pursuant to this Section, Rose shall notify the Company in writing thereof, and
the Company shall have the right to participate in, and to the extent that it
shall wish, in its discretion, assume and control the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to Rose.

      14.   BINDING ARBITRATION AND LEGAL FEES. Any controversy or claim between
or among the parties hereto, including but not limited to those arising out of
or relating to this Agreement or

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any related agreements or instruments, including any claim based on or arising
from an alleged tort, shall be determined by binding arbitration in accordance
with the Federal Arbitration Act (or if not applicable, the law of the state of
Tennessee), the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration
Association in effect as of the date hereof, and the provisions set forth below.
In the event of any inconsistency, the provisions herein shall control. Judgment
upon any arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Any
party to the Agreement may bring an action, including a summary or expedited
proceeding, to compel arbitration of any controversy or claim to which this
Agreement applies in any court having jurisdiction over such action; provided,
however, that all arbitration proceedings shall take place in Nashville,
Tennessee. The arbitration body shall set forth its findings of fact and
conclusions of law with citations to the evidence presented and the applicable
law, and shall render an award based thereon. In making its determinations and
award(s), the arbitration body shall base its award on applicable law and
precedent, and shall not entertain arguments regarding punitive damages, nor
shall the arbitration body award punitive damages to any person. Each party
shall bear its own attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses in the arbitration.

      15.   MISCELLANEOUS.

            (a)   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
      construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee without
      reference to principles of conflicts of laws.

            (b)   Entire Agreement/Amendments. This Agreement contains the
      entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter.
      There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, warranties, covenants or
      undertakings between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein
      other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement may not be
      altered, modified, or amended except by written instrument signed by the
      parties hereto.

            (c)   No Waiver. The failure of a party to insist upon strict
      adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be
      considered a waiver of such party's rights or deprive such party of the
      right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other
      term of this Agreement.

            (d)   Severability. In the event that any one or more of the
      provisions of this Agreement shall be or become invalid, illegal or
      unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of
      the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

            (e)   Assignment. This Agreement shall not be assignable by Rose.
      This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to a company which is a
      successor in interest to substantially all of the business operations of
      the Company. Such assignment shall become effective when the Company
      notifies the Rose of such assignment or at such later date as may be
      specified in such notice. Upon such assignment, the rights and obligations
      of the Company hereunder shall become the rights and obligations of such
      successor company, provided that any assignee expressly assumes the
      obligations, rights and privileges of this Agreement.

            (f)   Headings. The section headings contained herein are for the
      purposes of convenience only and are not intended to define or limit the
      contents of the sections.

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            (g)   Successors; Binding Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to
      the benefit of and be binding upon personal or legal representatives,
      executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributes, devises and
      legatees.

            (h)   Notice. For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all
      other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and
      shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United
      States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
      addressed to the respective addresses set forth below, or to such other
      address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in
      accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be
      effective only upon receipt.

            If to Company, to:

                  Gaylord Entertainment Company
                  One Gaylord Drive
                  Nashville, Tennessee 37214
                  Attention: President
                  Facsimile Number: (615) 316-6544

            With a copy to:

                  Gaylord Entertainment Company
                  One Gaylord Drive
                  Nashville, Tennessee 37214
                  Attention: General Counsel

            If to Rose, to:

                  Michael D. Rose
                  1000 Ridgeway Loop
                  Suite 108
                  Memphis, TN 38120

            With a copy to:

                  Baker Donelson Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz PC
                  165 Madison Avenue
                  First Tennessee Building
                  Memphis, TN  38103
                  Attention: Ben C. Adams, Esq.

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            (i)   Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts,
      each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
      signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

            (j)   No Third Party Beneficiary. This Agreement shall not confer
      any rights or remedies upon any person or entity other than the parties
      hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first above written.

                                        /s/ Michael D. Rose
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Michael D. Rose

                                        GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY

                                        By: /s/ Ralph Horn
                                           ------------------------------------
                                        Title: Lead Outside Director

                                       11<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 10.3

                                     FORM OF
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                          GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY
                      1997 STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLAN

         This STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is by and between Gaylord
Entertainment Company, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the person
whose name is set forth on the attached Optionee Grant Detail Statement (the
"Grantee"), under the Company's 1997 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, as amended
(the "Plan").

         Because of services provided by the Grantee to the Company and in order
to provide an incentive to the Grantee to exert his or her utmost efforts on
behalf of the Company, the Grantee has been awarded a nonqualified stock option
(the "Option") to purchase certain shares of Common Stock of the Company, par
value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), on the terms and conditions set forth in
the Plan and this Agreement.

         SECTION 1. THE OPTION GRANT. The Grantee is hereby granted a
Nonqualified Stock Option to purchase any or all of the shares of Common Stock
of the Company set forth on the attached Optionee Grant Detail Statement at a
purchase price also set forth on the attached Optionee Grant Detail Statement.
Said Nonqualified Stock Option is subject to the terms set forth below.

         SECTION 2. EXERCISE OF OPTION RIGHTS.

         2.1 Times When the Option Can Be Exercised. The Option shall become
exercisable in whole or in part, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, in
accordance with the Optionee Grant Detail Statement attached hereto.

         2.2 Term of Option. The term during which the Option may be exercised
shall terminate in accordance with the Optionee Grant Detail Statement attached
hereto, subject to earlier termination as provided for in Section 3 of this
Agreement.

         2.3 Notice of Exercise. If the Grantee wishes to exercise his or her
rights hereunder, the Grantee must give notice of exercise to the Company at the
Company's principal office. The Grantee must give the notice in writing in form
satisfactory to the Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company (the "Committee"). The Grantee must include with the notice full payment
for any shares being purchased under the Option (unless, in accordance with the
Plan, the Committee shall have provided otherwise), and any taxes due under
Section 2.4.2 hereof.

         2.4 Payment.

             2.4.1 Payment for any Common Stock being purchased under the Option
must be made in cash, by certified or bank check, or by delivering to the
Company Common Stock of the Company which the Grantee already owns. If the
Grantee pays by delivering Common Stock of the Company, the Grantee must include
with the notice of exercise the certificates for the Common Stock duly endorsed
for transfer. The Company will value the Common Stock delivered by the

<PAGE>

Grantee at its Fair Market Value as of the date of receipt as set forth in the
Plan and, if the value of the Common Stock delivered by the Grantee exceeds the
amount required under this Section 2.4.1, will return to the Grantee cash in an
amount equal to the value, so determined, of any fractional portion of a share
of Common Stock exceeding the amount required and will issue a certificate for
any whole share of Common Stock exceeding the amount required.

             2.4.2 The Grantee cannot buy any Common Stock under the Option
unless, at the time the Grantee gives notice of exercise to the Company, the
Grantee includes with such notice payment in cash, by certified or bank check,
of all local, state, or federal withholding taxes due, if any, on account of
buying Common Stock under the Option or gives other assurance to the Company
satisfactory to the Committee of the payment of those withholding taxes.

         2.5 Transfer.

             2.5.1 The Company shall deliver certificates for Common Stock
bought under the Option as soon as practicable after receiving payment for the
Common Stock and for any taxes under Section 2.4.2 hereof, and all documents
required under the Plan and this Agreement. The certificates will be made out in
the name of the Grantee.

             2.5.2 If the Plan or any law, regulation, or interpretation
requires the Company to take any action regarding the Common Stock before the
Company issues certificates for the Common Stock being purchased, the Company
may delay delivering the certificates for the Common Stock for the period
necessary to take that action.

         SECTION 3. TERMINATION.

         3.1 Generally. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and the
Plan, the Option may not be exercised unless the Grantee is then in the service
or employ of the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary (collectively, for purposes
of this Agreement, the "Company"), and unless the Grantee has remained
continuously so employed since the date of grant of the Option. Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee at or after the date of grant, in the event that the
employment of the Grantee terminates (other than by reason of death, Disability,
Retirement, or for Cause), any portion of the Option that is exercisable at the
time of such termination may be exercised by Grantee for a period of 90 days
from the date of such termination or until the expiration of the stated term of
the Option, whichever period is shorter.

         3.2 Death or Disability. If the Grantee dies while employed by the
Company or a Parent or a Subsidiary (or within the period of extended
exercisability provided herein), or if the Grantee's employment terminates by
reason of Disability, the Option will become fully vested and exercisable
(notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.1 hereof), and may be exercised by
the Grantee, by the legal representative of the Grantee's estate, or by the
legatee under the Grantee's will at any time until the expiration of the term of
the Option provided in Section 2.2 hereof.

         3.3 Retirement. If the Grantee's employment terminates by reason of
Retirement, any portion of the Option may be exercised by Grantee, to the extent
such portion was exercisable at the time of such Retirement or on such
accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after the

                                       2

<PAGE>

date of grant (but before the date of such Retirement) at any time until the
expiration of the term of the Option provided in Section 2.2 hereof.

         3.4 Cause. If the Grantee's employment terminates for Cause, as
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Option, to the extent
not theretofore exercised, shall terminate on the date of such termination.

         3.5 Committee Discretion. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections
3.1 through 3.4 above, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, at or after
the date of grant (but before the date of termination), establish different
terms and conditions pertaining to the effect on any Option of termination of a
Grantee's employment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal and state
law.

         SECTION 4. GOVERNING PROVISIONS. This Agreement is made under and
subject to the provisions of the Plan, and all of the provisions of the Plan are
also provisions of this Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the same meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan. If there is a
difference or conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the
provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will govern. By signing this
Agreement, the Grantee confirms that he or she has received a copy of the Plan.

         SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS.

         5.1 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Plan contain all of the
understandings between the Company and Grantee concerning the Option and include
any earlier negotiations and understandings. The Company and Grantee have made
no promises, agreements, conditions, or understandings relating to the Option,
either orally or in writing, that are not included in this Agreement or the
Plan.

         5.2 Employment. By establishing the Plan, granting awards under the
Plan, and entering into this Agreement, the Company does not give Grantee any
right to continue to be employed by the Company or to be entitled to any
remuneration or benefits not set forth in this Agreement or the Plan. None of
the provisions of this Agreement or the Plan will interfere with or limit the
right of the Company to end the Grantee's employment at any time.

         5.3 Captions. The captions and section numbers appearing in this
Agreement are inserted only as a matter of convenience. They do not define,
limit, construe, or describe the scope or intent of the provisions of this
Agreement.

         5.4 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which when signed by the Company and the Grantee will be deemed an original
and all of which together will be deemed the same agreement.

         5.5 Notice. Any notice or communication having to do with this
Agreement must be given by personal delivery or by certified mail, return
receipt requested, addressed, if to the Company or the Committee, to the
principal office of the Company and, if to Grantee, to the Grantee's last known
address on the personnel records of the Company.

                                       3
<PAGE>

         5.6 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by the Company, provided
that unless the Grantee consents in writing, the Company cannot amend this
Agreement if the amendment will materially change or impair the Grantee's rights
under this Agreement and such change is not to the Grantee's benefit.

         5.7 Succession and Transfer. Each and all of the provisions of this
Agreement are binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and the
Grantee and their heirs, successors and assigns; however, neither the Option nor
this Agreement is transferable, without the prior written consent of the
Committee, other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution,
(ii) by the Grantee to a member of his or her Immediate Family, or (iii) to a
trust for the benefit of the Grantee or a member of his or her Immediate Family.

         5.8 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed
exclusively in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware applicable to
agreements to be performed in the State of Delaware to the extent it may apply.

         The Company and the Grantee have caused this Agreement to be signed and
delivered as of the ___ day of _______________, _____.

                                       GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY

                                       By:
-----------------------------              -------------------------------------
Grantee                                    Carter R. Todd, Senior Vice President

                                       4

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