Musicians Bring Hope, Camaraderie to 53rd Telethon of Stars

The Lions Club of Paducah and WPSD Local 6 have gathered a great line up of national and local musicians and entertainers for the 53rd Annual Telethon of Stars — one of the longest-running, locally produced telethons in the country. The event has raised nearly $22 million since its formation.

This year’s event begins at 10 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, and concludes at 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Carson Center.

Beneficiaries: Easter Seals West Kentucky in Paducah, T.L.C. of Southern Illinois in Carterville, Community Developmental Services in Martin, Tenn. and Easter Seals Southeast Missouri. All four centers serve clients with differing abilities and special needs.

Clients served by the centers will share their stories throughout the 15-hour free show, which is open to the public.

Here’s a look at the line up of talent:

Diamond Rio
Country superstars Diamond Rio headlines this year’s telethon. Group members have sold more than 10 million records including their platinum-selling debut album in 1991. They’ve won the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year award and scored nine No. 1 hits and placed 15 singles in the Top Five. They were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1998 and received the Minnie Pearl Humanitarian Award in recognition of their many charitable endeavors, including their longtime relationship as National Spokespersons for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Though Diamond Rio is a successful country band, the group has always been known for songs that convey hope and celebrate faith such as the No. 1 hit I Believe, Mama Don’t Forget to Pray for Me and God Only Cries.

The band includes Dana Williams, Marty Roe, Gene Johnson, Jimmy Olander, Brian Prout and Dan Truman.

Ball in the House
Boston’s original vocal pop band and recent America’s Got Talent contestants, Ball in the House delivers a cappella brilliance with genius arrangements.

Group members have gone through numerous phases and changes on their way to becoming one of the best-known and most-loved acts in the a cappella community. They’ve traveled all over the world, opening for and performing with acts such as The Beach Boys, Cher, 98°, Jessica Simpson, Blondie, Smokey Robinson and The Temptations.

Ball in the House includes Dave Guisti, Jon J. Ryan, Aaron Loveland, Dan Szymczak and Ryan Chappelle.

“We are so excited to return for the 53rd Annual Telethon of Stars!” says Loveland. “We look forward to visiting Paducah, seeing old friends and participating in this wonderful and helpful cause. We’ve had a very busy and exciting year and can’t wait to get back to one of our favorite places.”

Eric Horner
Eric Horner blends a sweet country melody with ministry music. Following 9/11, he wrote and recorded We Will Stand, and donated the single’s proceeds to the Staten Island Victim’s Relief Fund. Eric writes songs about his faith with a message that the power of prayer is the greatest weapon against evil.
A native of Paducah, Eric studied guitar under fellow Paducah native Steven Curtis Chapman, and the two performed together in a local gospel group. Eric then joined country superstar Lee Greenwood, and after touring with Lee for 10 years, became a sought-after musician for major country artists like Brad Paisley, Wynonna and Shania Twain. With 17 albums under his belt, Eric is a well-seasoned Christian recording artist.

Jaimee English
Jaimee English is a country girl at heart. The Paducah native made her roots in music at age 7 when she began singing in talent shows and local events. In the past several months, English has been writing songs alongside some of the biggest hit songwriters in Nashville.

More recently, she’s opened for acts like Steve Holy and Andy Griggs and shared the stage with names such as Vince, Reba, Garth and Toby. Mentored by icon Stella Parton and hit-maker Chad Brock, Jaimee began performing at state fairs, street festivals, telethons, the Bluebird Cafe and the world famous Wildhorse Saloon. Her first single What I Should Have Said, co-written by Jaimee, is set for release early spring.

Jay Kenneth Johnson
Jay Kenneth Johnson is best known for his Philip Kiriakis character on NBC’s Days of Our Lives. He grew up in Springfield, Mo., where he was a star defensive back for his high school football team, and lead in his school’s plays and musicals. Jay graduated from Southwest Missouri State with a degree in theatre, and then moved to Hollywood to pursue an acting career.

Jay can also be seen in his recurring role on Scrubs. He was a regular on North Shore and also guest starred on CSI: Miami, Charmed and CSI: NY. On the big screen, Jay has appeared in the independent comedy Hack!

 

Lew & 61 South
Paducah’s own Lew Jetton & 61 South are festival and club favorites throughout the Midwest and Mid South. They’re well-known for their critically acclaimed “Southern-Fried” Chicago Blues sound along with their mix of mostly original blues presented in an upbeat, enthusiastic and at times, humorous way. Through XM and Sirius Satellite Radio, the group has attracted blues fans nationwide and even around the world. Members include Lew Jetton, Greg Walker, Erik Eicholtz, Sam Moore and Dan Bell.

 

 

 

Ray Ligon
Ray Ligon was born and raised in South Florida. His dad bought him his first guitar at 13 and he started teaching himself to play. It took several years for Ray to blend all his experiences and different influences, but it was country music that finally felt like home. He has opened for Loretta Lynn and John Berry and has competed in several Colgate Country Showdowns (CCSs).

In 2004 Ray made it to the CCS Missouri state finals held in St. Joseph where the show opened for Tracy Lawrence in front of approximately 25,000 folks. Ray has gone on to compete in the CCS Kentucky State finals four years in a row.

Reggie LaFaye
Saxophonist Reggie LaFaye grew up in St. Louis, declaring his love of music after watching the musical intro to Peter Seller’s The Pink Panther. He studied the saxophone until 1969 when he began serving overseas as a Corpsman in the U.S. Navy.

After an honorable discharge in 1971, Reggie returned to the saxophone. A self-taught musician, Reggie finds inspiration from Stan Getz, Bennie Goodman, Charlie Parker, David Sanborn and Tom Scott. Reggie has produced four Christian albums and a Christmas album. His latest work, My Passion, is a culmination of 47 years of musical passion that exposes the depth of joy, pain, peace and new beginnings.

 

The Josh Williams Band
Josh Williams is considered one of the most formidable young male vocalists in the bluegrass/acoustic music business. Originally from Murray, Ky., he is a talented multi-instrumentalist, lead and harmony singer and gifted songwriter. Josh’s feature on Nickelodeon Network’s Nick News at age 12 gave many young viewers their first taste of bluegrass.

Josh is a successful solo recording artist, and also collaborates with longtime friends Randy Barnes and Jason McKendree, to form The Josh Williams Band. The band was recently nominated for the 2009 International Bluegrass Music Association “Emerging Artist of the Year” award.

Tentative Schedule of Performances

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SATURDAY

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10-11 p.m.
Diamond Rio
Ball in the House
Jay Kenneth Johnson
Josh Williams Band

11 p.m.-12 a.m.
Diamond Rio
Eric Horner
Reggie LaFaye
Ball in the House

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SUNDAY

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12-1 a.m.
Ray Ligon
Jaimee English
Diamond Rio
Josh Williams Band

1-2 a.m.
Ball in the House
Diamond Rio
Eric Horner
Reggie LaFaye
Jaimee English
Ray Ligon

2-3 a.m.
Craig Russell Band
Ryan Gilchrist
Lew Jetton & 61 South
Becky Freeman

3-4 a.m.
Dee Dee Guthrie
Craig Russell Band
Blend
Eli Tellor
Southern Rush
Stacie Lynn Hines
Ryan Gilchrist

4-5 a.m.
Lew Jetton & 61 South
Paul Jolly
Becky Freeman
Nicholas Cofield
Blend
Andy Gibson

5-6 a.m.
Ronda Belford
Peace by Piece
Eli Tellor
Southern Rush
Stacie Lynn Hines
Dee Dee Guthrie
Andy Gibson

6-7 a.m. Gospel Hour
Anointed Voices
Rhonda Belford
Mark Dowdy
The Hamptons
Allyson Alvey
Emily Duff
Nathan Herron

7-8 a.m.
Paul Jolly
Blend
Jeff Wisely
Shelter
Nathan Herron
The Hampton

8-9 a.m.
Amanda Benson
Jewel Wilson Jr.
Heather Castleberry

9-10 a.m.
Clay Campbell’s Kentucky Opry
Eric Horner

10-11 a.m.
Diamond Rio
Jay Kenneth Johnson
Ball in the House
Josh Williams Band
Paducah Symphony Children’s and Youth Chorus

11 a.m.-Noon
Diamond Rio
Jaimee English
Ray Ligon
Ball in the House

Noon-1 p.m.
Reggie LaFaye
Eric Horner
Josh Williams Band
Ball in the House
Diamond Rio