‘It was just emotional’: Kentucky Rising raises more than $2.5 million for flood relief

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Individuals are nonetheless speaking about Tuesday evening’s offered out Kentucky Rising live performance.

The present was headlined by Johnson County native Chris Stapleton and featured fellow japanese Kentuckians Dwight Yoakam and Tyler Childers. It was organized by Stapleton after the July floods.

Japanese Kentucky artists Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless made shock appearances.

“Thanks for popping out tonight for a superb trigger, assist some of us out that want some assist,” Stapleton advised the gang of greater than 13,000. “That’s what we do right here in Kentucky. It’s a beautiful feeling, individuals doing good issues for good causes.”

“I’ve been right here ten years and I’ve by no means felt extra like a Kentuckian than I do tonight,” UK Head Soccer Coach Mark Stoops mentioned earlier than introducing Stapleton Tuesday evening.

“It’s an honor to be right here tonight to lend some help in some small method to the Kentucky Rising motion,” Yoakam mentioned throughout his set. “Hopefully assist lots of people over in japanese Kentucky.”

The present at Rupp Enviornment was a real Kentucky affair, with satisfaction for the Bluegrass State evident, as 1000’s got here collectively to assist communities which might be hurting.

“Plenty of crying,” mentioned Stephanie Bork, the Director of Advertising and marketing for Central Financial institution Middle. “I feel comfortable crying. I feel numerous blended feelings. It was devastating flooding that occurred in japanese Kentucky. However we raised some huge cash and placed on a terrific present. So we’re equally as proud.”

Bork says they have been comfortable to donate Rupp Enviornment for the present, and staff volunteered their time to work.

“I began crying on the finish,” mentioned Jane Higgins, with the Blue Grass Group Basis. “I used to be simply bawling as a result of I used to be like, ‘Oh my gosh we’ve raised that a lot cash. We’ve executed this, and it’s all going again to actually change lives and organizations.’”

The muse labored with Stapleton’s group to arrange the Kentucky Rising fund, and can assist decide methods to distribute the cash.

“Some will likely be quick wants for some organizations and nonprofits who misplaced quite a bit and are struggling. Then some will likely be long-term restoration and filling these gaps to see, ‘Okay what nonetheless must be taken care of? What are among the quick wants, like housing?’”

These wants can now be higher met due to the Kentucky music stars who needed to offer again, and 1000’s of others who stepped as much as assist their neighbors.

“It wasn’t about being at a live performance final evening,” mentioned Higgins. “It was about being at a historic occasion. I’m gonna cry simply even speaking about it. It was simply emotional. It was superior. Thank God for individuals like people who need to give again and nonetheless care.”

You’ll be able to nonetheless watch a livestream of the live performance. It’s available for purchase by way of Thursday, Oct. 13, and you should have 48 hours to look at it.

The video prices $20, and proceeds will go to the Kentucky Rising fund.

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