Kentucky
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.
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.”
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.”
Copyright 2024 WYMT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
-
News14 minutes agoReal estate investors are buying up long-term care facilities. Residents can suffer
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoFormer Piston shows Detroit what they’re missing as he dominates next to LeBron
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoEastbound I-80 closure in San Francisco snarls traffic, slows business
-
Videos2 hours agoCan Keir Starmer survive the latest Mandelson revelations? | BBC News
-
Dallas, TX3 hours agoPetar Musa’s Brace Not Enough as FC Dallas Draws LA Galaxy 2-2
-
Miami, FL3 hours agoMLS: Messi double helps Inter Miami slay Rapids in front of huge crowd
-
Boston, MA3 hours agoFrom across Boston they flock to play for Latin Academy boys’ tennis, a co-op of 29 schools – The Boston Globe
-
Denver, CO3 hours agoDale Kistler Obituary | The Denver Post