Connect with us

Kentucky

Last original Kentucky Opry performer passes the microphone

Published

on

Last original Kentucky Opry performer passes the microphone


PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) – When the Billie Jean Osborne Kentucky Opry troupe joined forces in 1990, the plan was to create a stage for mountain musicians.

“I was one of the original members asked to perform around that time and we played throughout the community,” said Tony Whited. “We did a lot of political things; we did a lot of community things. Our main goal then was to try to get the Mountain Arts Center built .”

That mission was complete by 1996 when the Mountain Arts Center opened its doors in Prestonsburg.

“Billie Jean Osborne was the person who… this was her dream to start this. And she worked tirelessly. We wouldn’t be there- the Mountain Arts Center wouldn’t be there- if it wasn’t for her,” said Whited.

Advertisement

Whited took that mission on for himself as well, promoting the importance of the center’s entertainment and education for decades.

“We have music and we have concerts there and we have the Kentucky Opry, but it’s an educational center and that’s what’s really important to us,” he said.

“It was emotional,” he said. “I thought about the people that are no longer here and just the people I perform with. Just the great times that we had and the lives that we touched and the performances. It just brings so much pride.”

The career educator said his family and fellow musicians have been the most supportive and helpful pillars during his run, but it is time to move on to a new chapter.

The MAC honored Whited during his final performance, dedicating the hallway backstage in his honor and presenting him with a duplicate of the sign that read “Tony Whited Hallway.”

Advertisement

But Whited said his true legacy will remain the folks who are given a spotlight on the stage and use the space to keep arts on the front burner.

While many people have seen success by taking advantage of the space, through Junior Pros and other avenues, he said there is always an undiscovered talent waiting to take the stage. “You know, there’s more. They’re still there and they’re still coming up through the Mountain Art Center, through the Kentucky Opry program, the Junior Pros, and they’re developing,” he said. “My advice to them was to just be true to yourself. Keep working hard and, you know, just plug in to the Mountain Arts Center.”



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Kentucky

Almost time for college students to begin classes. Here’s when KY universities start

Published

on

Almost time for college students to begin classes. Here’s when KY universities start


play

Although some students are already back in the classroom, many are still enjoying their free time while they can.

Now is the time for college students to gather their books and other necessary materials before the first day of school.

Advertisement

Here’s when some colleges in Kentucky start for the fall season:

When does Bellarmine University fall semester start?

The 2024 fall semester at Bellarmine University starts on Thursday , Aug. 22, according to the academic calendar.

When does JCTC fall semester start?

Session 1 and Session 8W1 of the Jefferson County Technical College start on Monday, Aug. 19, according to the academic calendar.

When does Simmons College fall semester start?

Classes in Kentucky’s Simmons College started on Tuesday, Aug. 6, according to the academic calendar.

Advertisement

When does Spalding University fall semester start?

The first session of the Spalding University 2024-2025 academic calendar starts on Monday, Aug. 26, according to the academic calendar.

Many graduate programs also start on Aug. 26. The Creative & Professional Writing Residency starts on Nov. 9.

When does Sullivan University fall semester start?

Spokesperson Emily Kunkel said the first day of school for the Fall Quarter, for all the institution’s campuses, is on Sept. 23.

Advertisement

When does University of Louisville fall semester start?

Classes for the University of Louisville 2024 fall semester start on Monday, Aug. 19, according to the academic calendar.

Courier Journal Sports: Keep up with your favorite teams

When does University of Kentucky fall semester start?

The fall 2024 semester of the University of Kentucky starts on Monday, Aug. 26, according to the academic calendar.

Advertisement

When does Western Kentucky University fall semester start?

The 2024 fall semester at Western Kentucky University starts on Monday, Aug. 19, according to the academic calendar.



Source link

Continue Reading

Kentucky

Kentucky star explains if he will support Coach John Calipari, Kentucky, or both

Published

on

Kentucky star explains if he will support Coach John Calipari, Kentucky, or both


One of the interesting offseason debates surrounding Kentucky basketball is which team former John Calipari players will support: Kentucky or Arkansas?

During the TBT, Willie Cauley-Stein answered this question, saying he is always going to be a Kentucky fan, but he will support Coach Calipari as well.

On the Sources Say Podcast, Sheppard was asked this question, and he gave the perfect answer.

Sheppard had this to say about who he will support next season on the Sources Say Podcast, “I don’t think it’s weird at all. Coach Cal is my coach, I still talk to him multiple times a week. He’ll text and call me and we’ll cut up here and there. It’s been good seeing him, and I’m looking forward to watching them this year, watching him coach. But at the end of the day, I’m a Kentucky fan. I’m from Kentucky, I played at Kentucky. I’ll continue to cheer for Kentucky no matter what.”

Advertisement

This is a little different for Sheppard than it was for Cauley-Stein because he was born and raised in Kentucky. Sheppard’s dad played at Kentucky, so he grew up wearing blue and white. Sheppard is loved by all in the Bluegrass State, so it is no surprise that he is always going to rock the Kentucky blue.

It is also understandable that he will stay close with Coach Calipari. Coach Cal turned Sheppard into the number three overall pick in the NBA Draft.

Sheppard is getting ready for his rookie season, where he will be a key player off the bench for a Houston Rockets team poised for a breakout season with a ton of young talent.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Kentucky

Some Ky. lawmakers push to expand free meal programs

Published

on

Some Ky. lawmakers push to expand free meal programs


FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) – While Kentucky lawmakers are not currently in session, that does not mean the Capitol is at a standstill.

Lawmakers are pushing to expand free meal programs to students in the upcoming session, and they say farmers will also benefit.

“We might have different ideas on how to educate and how to pay for that education, but we know that we want to feed our children, we know to educate them they need a full stomach first,” said Rep. Shawn McPherson (R-Scottsville).

Legislation to address food needs for Kentucky students, tied with the needs of Kentucky farmers, is already in the works for next year’s legislative session.

Advertisement

“If you can work for the schools and for the farmers and education and tie education and the farmers together, then I think that’s just a win-win for everybody,” said Rep. McPherson.

The bipartisan legislation is being sponsored by Rep. Chad Aull (D-Lexington) and Rep. McPherson in the House of Representatives and Sen. Cassie Chambers Armstrong (D-Louisville) is planning to file a similar bill in the other chamber.

“Everyone recognizes that agriculture is really important in Kentucky and anything we can do to support our small farmers is a really, really good investment of our state dollars,” said Sen. Chambers Armstrong. “Our hope is that by introducing this legislation, hopefully passing this legislation this year, we can get more folks on board and more folks excited so that when we roll out the program a year from now, everyone is really geared up and ready to take full advantage of it.”

The proposed bill looks to fill in gaps left by federal free and reduced meal programs. Schools are asked to pair up with local farmers to fill the stomachs of students, while growers harvest their treasured crops.

“We just want to give them a stable environment to say, ‘if you grow your product, we can get it from your field to their mouth’,” said Rep. McPherson.

Advertisement

Since the upcoming legislative session is not a budget-passing year, sponsors of the legislation say their hope is to get the framework passed so it can be included in the state budget that will be passed in 2026.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending